Meb Keflezighi winning the 2009 New York City Marathon (Photo: Jacob Breinholt)

After a 27 year drought, an American won the mens’ New York City Marathon. Meb Keflezighi brought home the title, with a roughly 40 second margin between himself and the second place male finisher. In addition to an American taking first place, Ryan Hall, finished fourth. For the winner, Meb Keflezighi, this race was also a personal best, at 2 hours, 9 minutes and 14 seconds.

It was an amazing sight to watch Keflezighi cross the finish line, kiss the ground and go straight over to his family. Keflezighi, originally from Africa, immigrated in the 90′s to later become a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Meb Keflezighi at the finish line with his family at the  2009 New York City Marathon (Photo: Jacob Breinholt)

The womens’ race took a turn for the unexpected, only a few short miles before the finish, when Paula Radcliffe, 3 time winner of the New York City Marathon, started to fall back, after leading the pack for the majority of the race. Paula, who was favored by most, to win her forth New York City Marathon, this year, ended up finishing off the podium in fourth place, and was visibly upset at the finish.

Women’s winner Derartu Tulu with Paula Radcliffe and NYRR CEO Mary Wittenberg at the finish line of the 2009 New York City Marathon (Photo: Jacob Breinholt)

Derartu Tulu, of Ethiopia won the womens’ race with a time of 2 hours 28 minutes and 52 seconds. Although the womens’ race kept a fairly tight pack until very late in the race, Tulu finished with a solid margin.

Derartu Tulu, of Ethiopia  crossing the finish line as victor of 2009 New York City Marathon (Photo: Jacob Breinholt)

A few fun facts about this year’s New York City Marathon, provided by NYRR:

43,741 runners competed in the 2009 ING New York City Marathon
2:09:15 Keflezighis time as he became the first American man to win since 1982
2:28:52 Tulus time as she became the first Ethiopian to win the NYC Marathon
11,410 pounds of ice were at the ready at marathon medical stations
2.5 million people will read the marathon results section of tomorrows NY Times
For more fast facts about the marathon, click here.

For more photos, click here.