In a sport where the average winner is in their mid-twenties, the thrill of victory belonged to two unlikely candidates at yesterday's ING New York City Marathon.

Meb Keflezighi, 34, became the first American man to win what others refer to as one of the world's greatest races since 1982, when Alberto Salazar had three consecutive victories. Keflezighi crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 2:09:15. It was both Keflezighi's first marathon win, and his personal-best record.

Among those who Keflezighi defeated were up-and-coming favorite, Ryan Hall, and four-time Boston Marathon champ, Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot. "A lot of people were writing him off, saying he was too old," Ryan Hall said about Keflezighi in a press conference after the race. "But if there was one other guy who I wanted to see win this race, it was Meb. He's like an older brother to me."

On the women's side, a 37-year-old mother of two had her day in the winner's circle. Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia captured the woman's title with a time 2:28:52. She out-ran Russia's Ludmila Petrova in the final stretch and beat defending champion, Paula Radcliffe. "I did not come here necessarily to win. But I came here to be a strong competitor," said Tulu.

As the first woman from Ethiopia to ever win the NYC Marathon, Tulu is already a positive role model to women in her country. In the 1992 Olympics, she was the first black African to win a gold medal for the 10,000 meter race. When asked about her next goal, Tulu said she plans to compete at the 2012 London Olympics when she is 40. "I hope to be able to bring another victory for my country."

Tulu crossed the finish line in Central Park with victorious arms in the air and Keflezighi, who grew up in an East African hut with no electricity, was overcome with tears as he kissed the ground. "It's very emotional," Keflezighi told reporters. "I am just thrilled to be able to win my first marathon ever at the place where I started and on a PR, wearing the USA jersey, it can't get any better. It's just sweet."

Other winners in our book include actor Edward Norton who tweeted his way to the finish line after he and his team raised money for the Maasai Wildnerness Conservation Trust.