Gebrmarin wins New York marathon

NEW YORK - Gebre Gebrmariam of Ethiopia won the New York City Marathon in his debut over the classic distance as compatriot world recorder Haile Gebrselassie pulled out with a knee injury.

First place in the women’s race on a windy morning went to Edna Kiplagat of Kenya.

Gebrselassie had no luck in his New York debut as he had to quit the race after 25 km with problems in his right knee.

That opened the door for the 2009 world cross champion Gebrmarin who won the 42.195 km race in two hours 8 minutes 14 seconds - more than four minutes off Gebrselassie’s world record 2:03:59 hours from Berlin 2008.

Kenyan world championship runner-up Emmanuel Mutai placed second a minute behind on 2:09:15 and compatriot Moses Kigen Kipkosgei was third.

There was more joy for Kenya on the women’s side as Kiplagat dominated in 2:28.20 hours from local runner Shalane Flanagan (2:28:40) and Mary Keitany of Kenya.

A record 45,344 runners had registered for the 41st edition of the race.

They included Chilean Chilean Edison Pena, one of 33 miners who were rescued last month after being trapped 70 days in a collapsed Chilean mineshaft.

Pena has been in the publicity spotlight since his arrival in the US Thursday and was even met by Gebrselassie. Pena was targeting a finish in five or six hours.