Meb Keflezighi the first U.S. men's winner of NYC Marathon since 1982

Meb Keflezighi the first U.S. men's winner of NYC Marathon since 1982

Meb Keflezighi became the first U.S. man to win NYC Marathon since 1982: American Meb Keflezighi was wiping away tears after Sunday's New York City Marathon — for his victory and for his recovery from a 2007 hip injury he feared might end his career. And also for his friend Ryan Shay, who collapsed and died at the U.S. Olympic trials in New York two years ago

Keflezighi, 34, is a resident of Mammoth Lakes, California, became the first U.S. man since Alberto Salazar in 1982 to win the NYC Marathon. Keflezighi covered 26.2 miles in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 15 seconds.

He was born in the African nation of Eritrea, growing up in a hut with no electricity. Soldiers would surround his village, looking for males 12 and older to take to war

A Kenian Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot was second in 2:09:56.

Mike Sayenko, a former Washington Huskies and Sammamish High School runner, finished 14th in 2:16:38.

Brett Winegar of Shoreline was 24th in 2:23:11.

Among U.S. men, Sayenko was eighth and Winegar was 14th. The race served as this year's national championship.

Derartu Tulu, 37, of Ethiopia was the women's winner in 2:28:52; she is the oldest women's champion since 42-year-old Priscilla Welch in 1987. Two-time defending champion Paula Radcliffe of Britain was fourth, hobbled by tendinitis behind her left knee.

Asked about the significance of the victory, Tulu said she plans to compete at the London Olympics in 2012 when she is 40.

"I hope to be able to bring another victory for my country," she said, "So I hope you will be there to ask me the same question."

Russian Ludmila Petrova, 41, was the runner-up for the second consecutive year.

Eleven years ago, Keflezighi wrote a letter to Salazar, who was working with Nike. Keflezighi told him that for U.S. distance running to thrive, athletes needed the funding to allow them to train full time.

That same year, Keflezighi became an American citizen. He was born in the African nation of Eritrea, growing up in a hut with no electricity. Soldiers would surround his village, looking for males 12 and older to take to war.

When Meb was 10, his family moved to Italy; two years later, the family came to the United States. Keflezighi began running in junior high in San Diego and proceeded to be a standout at UCLA.

"Definitely today wearing that USA jersey got the crowd going," he said. "Definitely wore it with big honor and pride.