New York City Marathon 2009!

The New York City Marathon started in 1970, when 127 participants ran their 26.2 miles by making several laps through Central Park in Manhattan. However, in 1976 the course was redesigned to start in Staten Island, and then pass through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx before ending, 26.2 miles later, in Manhattan. The layout of the new course – passing through all five boroughs of New York – attracted more participants, viewers, and news coverage; it became an event that was not just about running and endurance, but also about New York City pride and history! 

Over the years, the New York City Marathon came to be a place where professional runners would break records and make history! Runners from all over the world come to New York every year to participate.

For the 2009 race, which took place on November 1st, the winner of the women’s division was Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, who completed her 26.2 miles in 2 hours, 28 minutes, 52 seconds. The winner for the men was Meb Keflizighi of the United States, who finished in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 15 seconds and was the first American to win the New York City Marathon since 1982! In the wheelchair race, Australian Kurt Fearnley won for the men with a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 58 seconds while Edith Hunkeler of Switzerland won for the women with a time of 1 hour, 58 minutes, and 15 seconds. – Of course, all of the participants who trained, ran, and participated in such a challenging and historical event are winners in their own right, too!!