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2009 New York City Marathon results: defending champions Radcliffe and dos Santos fail to repeat
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Paula Radcliffe of the United Kingdom has won three past New York City Marathons. Marílson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil has finished first in NYC twice. Both of these 2008 champion runners returned to New York this year for the 40th annual ING NYC Marathon with hopes of conquering this grueling 26.2 mile course once again. Both fell short.
For Radcliffe, 2009 had been a year plagued with injuries and race withdrawals. Surgery on her right foot in March of this year forced her to take several months off from racing, including the London Marathon in spring. She returned to the racing scene in August, when she won the New York City Half-Marathon, but withdrew from competing in the World Championships in Berlin the following week, and the recent World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham.
Confident that she would be able to perform in Sunday's race, Radcliffe ran strong throughout the first half of the race; it looked possible that she could deliver a repeat victory that so many were hoping for. As she crossed the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, however, the pain started to show in her face and she was no longer the solid leader, as tendinitis flared up in the back of her left leg.
She struggled to remain with the other three elite women at the front of the pack, but once they turned from the Bronx back into Manhattan, the incline up Madison Avenue and into Central Park was too much. She lost not only the lead, but her chance for a spot on the podium.
During a post-race press conference, Radcliffe stated, "I couldn't hardly pick up my leg, and I was just honestly annoyed and disappointed because I kinda started the race to win it...even at 23 miles I was still telling myself, stay calm, if you just stay in touch then you're still within a chance...I really thought I could get back to third at least...I was just disappointed".
37-year old Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia crossed the finish line first, in 2:28:52, followed closely by Ludmila Petrova of Russia. As Radcliffe came across the finish line in fourth place, she nearly collapsed in pain.
In the men's field, two-time champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil dropped out at Mile 23 and was unable to complete the race. Meb Keflezighi of the United States took first place, with a finishing time of 2:09:15.
For both Keflezighi and Tulu, Sunday's victory was their first New York City Marathon win.
For more information on the NYC Marathon, check out the complete New York Running Examiner Guide to the 2009 New York City Marathon.
Want to join the excitement of the 2010 New York City Marathon? Lottery registration opens Monday, Nov. 2.
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