Meb Keflezighi heads through Central Park toward the finish line to win the 2009 New York City Marathon, November 1, 2009. REUTERS/Chip East

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Meb Keflezighi won the New York City marathon on Sunday, making him the first American to win the event since the early 1980s.

Keflezighi, 34, won with a time of two hours, nine minutes and 15 seconds after pulling away from Kenyan Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot in the last few miles.

Third place went to Moroccan Jaouad Gharib.