Veteran runner wins final NYC Marathon

Meb Keflezighi left it all on the course in his final New York City Marathon, blowing kisses and giving the thumbs-up to the adoring crowds in Central Park before collapsing at the finish line.

Wearing his signature “MEB” bib, the 42-yearold Keflezighi led the pack early and finished 11th on Sunday in his 26th and final marathon in the city where he made his 2002 debut.

Race officials, his wife and young daughters lifted him off the pavement after a 26.2-mile effort that lasted 2 hours, 15 minutes, 29 seconds.

“It was a beautiful victory lap to be up in the front,” said Keflezighi, whose goal was to finish in the top 10. “Emotions get to you.”

More than 70 friends and family were on hand to witness the final bow of the only runner to win an Olympic medal and the New York and Boston marathons. Keflezighi became a U.S. citizen in 1998, a decade after his family left wartorn Eritrea.

In 2009, he became the first American man since Alberto Salazar in 1982 to win the NYC marathon. On Sunday, his friend Shalane Flanagan of Boston became the first American woman in 40 years to win the event.

“What a day for America,” Keflezighi said. “I heard she won at 24 (miles). I think I did a jump with both hands in the air.”

NYC marathon race director Peter Ciaccia called this “the Mebathon.” He surpassed the great Grete Waitz of Norway with his 11th appearance here. Throughout his career, Keflezighi has produced eight top10 finishes in New York.

Five days after the bike path terror attack killed eight people near the World Trade Center, more than 50,000 runners from 125 countries and all 50 states ran through the various ethnic neighborhoods of the five boroughs. ACTOR FINISHES RACE » Kevin Hart got serious about training for the New York City Marathon. So serious, he beat former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber.

The comedian and actor posted a video on Instagram that says “Marathon complete. Got my gold medal. It’s an amazing feeling. I can check this goal off my list.”

He finished his first NYC marathon in 4 hours, 5 minutes, 6 seconds. He’ll have some bragging rights on Barber, running 33 minutes faster than the 42-year-old retired football player turned broadcaster. The 38-year-old Hart says he “cramped real bad after Mile 20” but immediately set another goal of running more marathons.

Kathrine Switzer ran her first NYC marathon since winning the title in 1974. The 70-year-old author and marathon commentator finished in 4:48:21. Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967. She used her initials because women weren’t allowed to enter the event.

NBA

WALL OUT WITH AILING SHOULDER » Washington Wizards guard John Wall missed his team’s Nov. 5 game at Toronto because of a sprained left shoulder.

The four-time All-Star is expected to return Tuesday night when the Wizards host the Dallas Mavericks.

Wall, who is averaging 20.5 points and 10.4 assists, was injured in a collision with Cleveland’s Channing Frye in the third quarter of Friday night’s 130-122 loss to the Cavaliers. Wall finished the game, but left the arena with his arm in a sling.

Coach Scott Brooks said there was “nothing of long-term concern” with Wall’s shoulder. Brooks said the eightyear veteran “probably should be ready to go” against Dallas.

NFL

GREEN, RAMSEY BRAWL » A.J. Green and Jalen Ramsey started yapping on the opening series. It escalated from there and nearly spiraled out of control.

It ended with both being ejected in Jacksonville’s 23-7 victory against Cincinnati. The altercation surely will result in league discipline, maybe even a suspension for Green.

“As a player, as a man, and a father, that’s a reflection of me,” Green said. “I should have walked off in that whole situation. I definitely learned from this experience. It’s never going to happen again. I regret my actions. Whatever the punishment, I accept it. I put myself in that situation.”

Green acknowledged that he let the trash-talking Ramsey get to him.

With the Bengals trying to run out the clock late in the first half, Green jogged through his route and didn’t expect Ramsey to knock him down. Green jumped up, grabbed Ramsey around the neck and slammed him to the ground. Green then delivered numerous punches to Ramsey’s helmet and put another MMA-style choke hold on Ramsey.

“That’s not football,” Green said of the block. “He got under my skin and I can’t let that happen.”