NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – Meb Keflezighi became the first  American to win the New York City marathon since 1982 when he  took the men’s title in two hours 9 minutes and 15 seconds yesterday.

Ethiopia’s former world and Olympic 10,000 metres champion  Derartu Tulu won the women’s event through the city’s five  boroughs in 2:28.52 after pulling away from Russia’s Ludmila  Petrova in the last mile.

Race favourite and world record holder Paula Radcliffe  finished fourth behind France’s Christelle Daunay after setting  the pace for much of the race.

Keflezighi, whose previous best finish in a marathon major  was second in New York in 2004, broke away from Kenyan Robert  Kipkoech Cheruiyot with just a few miles to go to take a  surprise win.

Cheruiyot finished 41 seconds behind the American, while  third place went to former world champion Moroccan Jaouad  Gharib, who posted a time of 2:10:25.

After he crossed the line Eritrean-born Keflezighi, who  lives in San Diego, California, kissed the ground. The  34-year-old was one of six Americans to finish in the top 10.

Alberto Salazar was the last American winner of the  26.2-mile (42.195-km) race.