With USA emblazoned in large red letters across his white running singlet, Meb Keflezighi on Sunday became the first American man to win the ING New York City Marathon since Alberto Salazar in 1982.
Keflezighi, who finished second in 2004 and third in 2005 in New York, recorded a time of 2:09.15 to defeat a world-class field. Four-time Boston winner Robert Cheruiyot, from, Kenya, was second in 2:09.56, Morocco’s Jaouad Gharib third with a time of 2:10.25, and a second American, Ryan Hall, finished fourth in 2:10.36.
The six Americans in the top 10 tied the best collective home performance since the marathon moved into the five borough format in 1976. Rounding out the top 10, Jorge Torres was seventh(2:13.00), Nick Arciniaga eighth (2:13.46), Abdi Abdirahman ninth (2:14.00) and Jason Lehmkuhle tenth (2:14.39).
The 34-year-old Keflezighi kept a cool head during the first half of the race when South Africa’s Hendrick Ramaala, the 2004 champion, and Morocco’s Abderrahime Bouramdane made breakaway moves. Both were reeled in and, by the 15th mile, a lead pack of 11 included Ramaala, Bouramdane and four Americans – Keflezighi, Hall, Torres and Abdirahman.
Also still in contention was former double world champion and 2008 Olympic silver medallist Gharib and Cheruiyot, a late replacement for former world record holder Paul Tergat. But Marilson Gomes dos Santos, the Brazilian who was seeking to become the first three-time winner since Salazar in 1982, had become detached.
In the 17th mile, Ramaala kicked again, taking with him Bouramdane and two Kenyans, James Kwambai and Jackson Kipkoech. But the break did not survive for long as the chasing pack closed up and still the four Americans were hanging in there.
Now Hall and Torres were struggling and, at 20 miles, only six men remained in contention: Kwambai, Cheruiyot, Bouramdane, Keflezighi, Gharib and Kipkoech. In the 22nd mile, Bouramdane, Kwambai, Gharib and Kipkoech dropped back, leaving a duel between the Kenyan and the American.
Still running smartly, Keflezighi let Cheruiyot take the pace, slipping in behind him, waiting to pounce. Finally, in the 24th mile, Keflezighi made his move and it proved decisive as he pulled clear to win by 41 seconds.
Wearing all the way to the finish the hat and arm-warmers he had started out with, Keflezighi pointed proudly to the USA letters on his vest and held his thumbs up. As he crossed the line there was a spontaneous burst of applause in the media room.
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