Twenty-six-year-old Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia finished first at the ING New York City marathon today, running the 26 miles in two hours, eight minutes, and fourteen seconds in his marathon debut. Shalane Flanagan, making a marathon debut as well, became the first American woman in two decades to finish second. Kenyan Moses Kigen Kipkosgei finished third. World-record-holder Haile Gebrselassie dropped out of the race with a right-knee injury on the Queensboro Bridge, and when good sport Gebremariam encouraged the similarly named Gebrselassie to keep going, Gebrselassie said, “I can’t. You have to reach them,” before announcing his retirement.
Meanwhile, Chilean miner Edison Peña reportedly “walked for a majority of the second half, suffering from gimpy knees and aching feet, but jogged the final bit in Central Park to the finish line.” His unofficial time was four hours, 50 minutes, and 51 seconds, but, still, he finished!
Gebrselassie’s retirement overshadows NYC Marathon [AP]
Chilean Miner Edison Pena, ‘The Runner,’ Finishes New York City Marathon [SB Nation]
