Meb Keflezighi has once again restored hope of American greatness in the marathon. Laying low, hiding underneath a wool beanie, and mostly keeping off his feet the entire week, Meb's only signal that he was in the shape of his life was his decision to wear his USA singlet. Overcoming years of injury and a disappointing performance at the Olympic Trials Marathon in 2008 in Central Park, Meb's 2:09:15 today in New York, and Ryan Hall's fourth-place finish show that American marathoning is indeed alive and well.

Derartu Tulu upset defending champion Paula Radcliffe (fourth) in 2:28:52; it was the first ever victory in New York by an Ethiopian woman.

One of history's all-time great distance runners, Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, has won her first ING New York City Marathon. Ludmila Petrova and Christelle Daunay finished second and third, respectively.

What must American track stars Shalane Flanagan and Amy Yoder Begley be thinking as they're watching the final miles of the women's race from the comfort of Mary Wittenberg's invited guests truck? Each year race director Wittenberg invites athletes contemplating running the race (or moving up to the marathon), and these special guests get to experience the race from an athlete's perspective, without putting in the miles.

Mary's guests paused for a photo under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge near the elite athlete tents just before the start. There was a donut- and muffin-eating contest among the guests and some of the pro athlete staff, and empathetic encouragement. "I feel for these athletes right now," remarked Shalane. "I'm nervous for them, and I'm not even running."

Three-time defending champ Kurt Fearnley (1:35:58) of Australia has added a fourth title to his resume, while Edith Hunkeler (1:58:15) of Switzerland has won her fifth.

Aside from a few logistical calls made by NYRR’s professional athlete manager, Sam Grotewold, Sir Mix-a-lot’s “Baby Got Back” coming from Patrick Tarpy’s iPod, and the occasional squawk of the axels going over bumps, the elite men’s bus bound for Fort Wadsworth was quiet and somber. Hendrick Ramaala was the only one asleep. Everyone else was listening to music or staring out the windows, contemplating the task ahead.

Jackson Kipkoech missed the bus this morning and hopped on the police vehicle to the start. They beat the bus.