Twenty-six year-old Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia finished first at the ING New York City marathon today, running the twenty-six miles in 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 14 seconds in his marathon debut. Shalane Flanagan, making a marathon debut as well, became the first American woman in two decades to finish second. Kenyan Moses Kigen Kipkosgei finished third. World record-holder Haile Gebrselassie dropped out of the race with a right knee injury on the Queensboro Bridge, and when good sport Gebremariam encouraged the similarly-named Gebrselassie to keep going, Gebrselassie said, "I can't. You have to reach them," before announcing his retirement.

Meanwhile, Chilean miner Edison Pena reportedly "walked for a majority of the second half, suffering from gimpy knees and aching feet, but jogged the final bit in Central Park to the finish line." His unofficial time was 4:50:51, but, still, he finished!