NYC Sentinel

By NYC Sentinel Staff

12:30 p.m.
The men receive their medals. First-place winner, American runner Meb Keflezighi, smiles and holds the silver trophy — a tray designed by Tiffany & Co. — above his head as the crowd chants,”U-S-A.”

12:15 p.m.
The top three women receive their medals from Mayor Bloomberg. Gold medalist Derartu Tulu, wrapped in the Ethiopian flag, is all smiles as she shakes hands with the mayor and fellow runners.

11:52 a.m.
Meb Keflezighi crosses the finish line, blessing himself and kissing the ground after he bursts through the tape. In his final half-mile, as it became clear he was the winner, he smiled and waved to the crowd, flashing a double thumbs-up and gesturing to the USA on his tank top. Keflezighi is the first American men’s winner since 1982.

11:51 a.m.
The men are coming through.

11:45 a.m.
Ethiopia’s Derartu Tulu wins her first ING New York City Marathon. Ludmila Petrova finishes second, Christelle Daunay finishes third and Paula Radcliffe comes in fourth.

11:30 a.m.
Mayor Bloomberg in an orange jacket crosses the finish line not on foot, but while riding in a black convertible decorated with American flags. The crowd cheers as he passes through.

11:18 a.m.
The leading women runners are about to come through Columbus Circle at any minute. The live band has kicked it up a notch, while an excited crowd tries picking the best spot for a good view. While the area is still not packed, the mood is festive with cheers all around. Wheelchair participants are still coming through.

11 a.m.
Spectators are armed with cowbells as the bleachers and finish line area begins to fill up. The crowd is waiting for British running celebrity Paula Radcliffe. Choppers are circling overhead, which signals that the front runners are on their way.

10:25 a.m.
Wheelchair participants begin whizzing by Columbus Circle, less than a mile short of the finish line. The crowd is not quite full capacity yet, but the bleachers are beginning to sell out rapidly. Australia’s Kurt Fearnley is declared the winner of the men’s wheeler race, while Switzerland’s Edith Hunkeler wins the women’s race.