Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the men's division of the New York City Marathon.(Photo Kathy Willens AP)
Story HighlightsJeptoo wins women's race in her NYC Marathon debutShe also wins $500 000 for World Marathon Majors titleMutai who holds the NY course record won men's race by almost a minuteNEW YORK Just before mile 24 Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba looked over her shoulder as her lead began to vanish. Once Kenya's Priscah Jeptoo with her knock kneed stride belying the ease of her pace pulled ahead there was no need to look back.
In her New York City Marathon debut Jeptoo won the women's race on Sunday with a time of 2 hours 25 minutes 7 seconds almost a minute ahead of Deba. As she crossed the finish line Jeptoo threw her arms in the air then leaned over for an extended breath. With the victory she received a $500 000 bonus for also capturing the World Marathon Majors women's title.
TRIBUTE New York has Boston feel
Jeptoo entered New York as a favorite after winning the London Marathon this year. Deba who trains in the Bronx finished runner up for her second consecutive race in New York.
The first American woman to finish was Adriana Nelson 33 of Fort Collins Colo. who was 13th. Born in Romania Nelson became an American citizen in 2011.
Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai 32 won the men's race in 2 08 24. It's the third time Kenyans swept both the men's and women's titles (2002 2003). The only other country to sweep was the United States in 1977.
Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede finished second almost a minute behind Mutai and took the World Marathon Majors men's title. The World Marathon Majors series includes five major marathons the Olympics and world championships. Professional runners accumulate points over a two season cycle.
Mutai is one of the fastest marathon runners in the world posting a 2 03 02 on Boston's hilly course in 2011. He holds the New York course record (set in 2011) of 2 05 06.
Ryan Vail from Portland Ore. was the first American male finisher in 13th place.
American Tatyana McFadden made history with her victory in the women's wheelchair race completing a sweep of the Boston London Chicago and New York marathons in a single year.
More than 47 000 runners started the race through the five boroughs. Six months after two explosions near the Boston Marathon finish line killed three people and injured more than 260 security was highly visible along the New York course. Race organizers spent about $1 million on security double the amount of the previous year. There were more barricades and security checkpoints for spectators and runners were not allowed to carry over the shoulder hydration packs.
All of the runners were given blue ribbons to pay tribute to Boston. A Boston Marathon yellow line was also painted alongside the traditional blue line heading into the homestretch.
The New York City Marathon returned after last year's cancellation due to Superstorm Sandy. About 22 000 runners entered in last year's race returned to the field for Sunday's race according to the New York Road Runners.
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