American Wins New York City Marathon, First Since 1982
For the first time since 1982 an American has won the New York City Marathon. Meb Keflezighi, 34, won beating his personal best time. He ran that 26.2 mile race in 2:09:15.
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American Meb Keflezighi on his way to win the 2009 NYC Marathon.
Meb Keflezighi emigrated in 1987 to San Diego, California from Eritrea, Keflezighi during his homeland's conflict with Ethiopia. He has been a United States citizen for 11 years.
In 2004 he won a silver medal in the Olympics and was the runner-up in the New York marathon.
Deratu Tulu of Ethiopia was the first female to cross the finish line on Sunday with a time of 2:28:52.
The New York Marathon has been a yearly event since 1970. The event has become a global race with 38,000 athletes vying for the finish line.
The winner is awarded $130,000 in prize monies reports
CNN.
