Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia wins New York City Marathon

Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia wins New York City Marathon

Ethiopia’s Derartu Tulu wins the ING New York City marathon today becoming the first Ethiopian woman ever to win at New York City marathon.

Derartu Tulu was more than halfway to the most unexpected laurel crown of her career, her 37-year-old legs churning over the Queensboro Bridge, when she turned to the struggling runner next to her and extended a lifeline.

Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia solidified her status as one of the greatest distance runners in history.

Tulu, the Olympic gold medalist at 10,000 meters in 1992 and 2000, outkicked Russia’s Ludmila Petrova in the final half-mile to win her first New York women’s title in 2:28:52.

“I knew I had better speed than those who were in the field,” said Tulu, a 37-year-old mother of two. “I did not come here necessarily to win. But I came here to be a strong competitor.”

Many expected Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, the world record-holder and defending champion, to win a fourth New York title. But Radcliffe faded to fourth place because of an injured tendon in her left leg that had troubled her for two weeks.

“It was just tendinitis, fluid build-up in there,” Radcliffe said. “It’s just really sore.”

Tulu’s victory ended Radcliffe’s run of seven straight New York titles, including the marathon, NYC Half-Marathon, NYRR New York Mini 10K, and Fifth Avenue Mile.

The marathon’s 40th running drew a record 43,741 participants on a windy, occasionally misty day with temperatures in the mid-50s.

Read More from The New York Times

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