Paul Tergat wins 2005 ING New York City Marathon Followed by Hendrick Ramaala, Meb Keflezighi, Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, and Abdi Abdirahman.

The men’s race had remained rather intense over many miles, with Ramaala, Keflezighi, Cheruiyot, and Tergat running so close. Ramaala was frequently creating the surges, only to see Tergat keeping up the pace. When you have the world record holder (Tergat 2:04:55) racing against the defending champion (Ramaala 2:09:28), the race is bound to heat up!

During the final run to the finish line, Hendrick Ramaala and Paul Tergat both ran in sync -stride for stride. There were moments when Tergat had fallen behind Ramaala, but only to catch up with him promptly thereafter. When they both were just only a lunge away from the finish line, Ramaala tumbled to the pavement as he made his final lunge to the finish line, with Tergat breaking the tape at the finish line. Initially, both Ramaala and Tergat were given the same exact unofficial time: 2:09:31. However, Paul Tergat's timing was then officially revised to 2:09:30, thereby making him the winner. What a dramatic finish!

Meb Keflezighi who placed third had clocked in at 2:09:57, with Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot about a minute behind at 2:11:00, and Abdi Abdirahman crossing the finish line in 2:11:24 for the fifth place win.

Congratulations, Paul Tergat (N’gong, Kenya), Hendrick Ramaala (Johannesburg, South Africa), Meb Keflezighi (Mammoth Lakes/San Diego, California), Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot ( Nairobi, Kenya), and Abdi Abdirahman (Tucson, Arizona) for your outstanding performance during the 2005 New York Marathon.