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(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Meb Keflezighi, of the United States holds a U.S. flag after winning the men's division of the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in New York.
NEW YORK— Meb Keflezighi wrote a letter to Alberto Salazar 11 years ago explaining how American distance runners could again find success.
Salazar was the last U.S. man to win the New York City Marathon, a distinction he held until Keflezighi proved himself right Sunday. Keflezighi broke a 27-year drought with his victory, one of six American men in the top 10.
"Today was a huge day," said Keflezighi, who finished in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 15 seconds. "You visualize, you visualize, but when reality hits, it hits home, and it's pretty sweet."
Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia was the women's winner on a day when a record field of nearly 44,000 started the 40th edition of this race. Two-time defending champion Paula Radcliffe fell back to fourth, hobbled by tendinitis behind her left knee.
Keflezighi wrote the letter in 1998 to Salazar, who worked with Nike, arguing that for U.S. distance running to thrive, athletes needed the funding to allow them to train full-time.
That same year, Keflezighi became an American citizen. He was born in the East African nation of Eritrea, growing up in a hut with no electricity. Soldiers would surround his village, looking for boys 12 and older to drag off to war.
When he was 10, his family moved to Italy; two years later, they came to the United States. Keflezighi began running in junior high in San Diego, then went on to star at UCLA.
"Definitely today wearing that USA jersey got the crowd going," he said. "Definitely wore it with big honor and pride."
Keflezighi won silver at the 2004 Olympics, the first American man to medal since 1976. The U.S. Olympic trials for Beijing were held in New York two years ago, a day that was shaping up as a triumphant symbol of the American resurgence that Keflezighi helped inspire.
He left with an aching hip and, far worse, an aching heart. Close friend Ryan Shay collapsed and died during the race.
