South Africa’s Hendrik Ramaala won the men’s title at the New York Marathon on Sunday in an unofficial time of 2:9,24.
Ramaala became only the second South African to win the New York race, following Willie Mtolo in 1992.
American Meb Keflezighi, who was born in Eritrea but became a United States citizen in 1998, was second in 2:09,52 and Kenyan Timothy Cherigat was third. It was the worst Kenyan showing here since Joseph Kamau settled for third in 1996.
Three-time Olympian Ramaala, like women’s winner Paula Radcliffe of Britain, found success in the Big Apple after tears at the Athens Olympics.
Ramaala (32) dropped out of the Olympic marathon with a groin injury only to recover and win a 16km event three weeks later in Amsterdam. Radcliffe also dropped out of the Athens Olympic marathon. – Sapa-AFP