Tergat takes New York City Marathon

NEW YORK – World record holder Paul Tergat of Kenya sprinted to victory ahead of defending champion Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa in the New York men’s marathon on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Tergat crossed the line in 2 hours, 9 minutes and 30 seconds, just ahead of Ramaala who clocked 2:09:31, with Meb Keflezighi of the United States third in 2:09:56. It was the closest finish in the history of the New York City Marathon.The top two finishers raced virtually shoulder-to-shoulder and swapped the lead several times in the final three miles and then turned on a breathtaking finish with just a couple of steps separating them after 26.2 miles.The 36-year-old Kenyan, acknowledged as one of the best long-distance runners of all time, won Olympic silver medals at 10 000m in 1996 and 2000, and world championship silver at 10 000m in 1997 and 1999.Latvia’s Elena Prokopcuka, 29, won the women’s race in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 41 seconds.Prokopcuka, fifth last year, came in ahead of Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei, who was also second last year (2:24:55), and Ethiopia’s Derartu Tulu (2:25:21).Defending women’s champion Paula Radcliffe of Britain did not compete in this year’s race.Tergat’s victory marked the eighth time a Kenyan has won the New York Marathon The Kenyans again dominated race with four in the top 10.-Nampa-ReutersIt was the closest finish in the history of the New York City Marathon.The top two finishers raced virtually shoulder-to-shoulder and swapped the lead several times in the final three miles and then turned on a breathtaking finish with just a couple of steps separating them after 26.2 miles.The 36-year-old Kenyan, acknowledged as one of the best long-distance runners of all time, won Olympic silver medals at 10 000m in 1996 and 2000, and world championship silver at 10 000m in 1997 and 1999.Latvia’s Elena Prokopcuka, 29, won the women’s race in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 41 seconds.Prokopcuka, fifth last year, came in ahead of Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei, who was also second last year (2:24:55), and Ethiopia’s Derartu Tulu (2:25:21).Defending women’s champion Paula Radcliffe of Britain did not compete in this year’s race.Tergat’s victory marked the eighth time a Kenyan has won the New York Marathon The Kenyans again dominated race with four in the top 10.-Nampa-Reuters