Yomi Omogbeja (07/11/2005)

World-record-holder Paul Tergat of Kenya kicked a dramatic finish to clinch the ING New York Marathon ahead of defending champion Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa yesterday.

The 36-year-old Tergat, competing in New York City for the first time, crossed the line barely a step in front of Ramaala, of South Africa, for the closest-ever finish in the 36-year history of the race.

It was down-to-the-wire as the top two finishers raced virtually shoulder-to-shoulder and swapped the lead several times in the race that was not decided until the very last of the 42.195km.

Tergat crossed the line in 2:09:30, just ahead of a stumbling Ramaala in 2:09:31, with American Meb Keflezighi third in 2:09:56.

Tergat described the final 400 metres as "really, really, painful" but said the victory "very, very important for me".

"The feeling—it was so exciting," he said.

"The last thing I was expecting was a sprint at the finish. In the last 200m, I had to give all I had. It was very hard."

Tergat, who holds the world record of 2:04,55 since the 2003 Berlin marathon, won Olympic silver medals at 10 000m in 1996 and 2000, and world-championship silver at 10 000m in 1997 and 1999.

Tergat's victory marked the eighth time a Kenyan has won the New York Marathon.

Race director and NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg had called the men's field the best ever assembled in New York and one of the best anywhere.

The 2003 New York City Marathon and reigning London Marathon champion Martin Lel has earlier pulled out 48 hours to the race.

Lel withdrew after failing to recover from an injury to his lower right leg. He had earlier vowed to compete last week.

Kenya's Susan Chepkemei, last year runner up (second in 2:24,55), and Ethiopia's Derartu Tulu (third in 2:25,21) were both beaten by Latvian Elena Prokopcuka in the women's race in 2:24:41

Top Results

Men:

1 Paul Tergat (Ken) 2:09:30
2 Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) 2:09:31
3 Meb Keflezighi (USA) 2:09:56
4 Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (Ken) 2:11:01
5 Abdihakim Abdiramam (USA) 2:11:24

Women:

1 Elena Prokopcuka (Lat) 2hr 24min 41 sec
2 Susan Chepkemei (Ken) 2:24:55
3 Derartu Tulu (Eth) 2:25:21
4 Salina Kosgei (Ken) 2:25:30
5 Bruna Genovese (Ita) 2:27:15

Click below for complete results of the 2005 New York Marathon

Men | Women