New Winners in New York Marathon

The New York Marathon had a fresh look on a cold and windy Sunday when first-time winners dominated the men’s and women’s races.

Abdelkhader El Mouaziz, 31, became the first Moroccan champion with a winning time of 2 hours 10 minutes 9 seconds that ended Kenya’s three-year reign in the men’s race.

El Mouaziz, who was seventh at the Sydney Olympics five weeks ago, broke away early and opened a lead so huge no one else was in sight along the 18- to 19-mile stretch. Even though he struggled home, his winning margin of 2 minutes 21 seconds was the biggest in this race since Steve Jones of Britain won by 3:21 in 1988.

“I wanted to run my own race,” he said. “I went alone after the pacemakers were slow. . . . I knew it would be tough for them to make up that difference.”

In the women’s race, Ludmila Petrova became the first Russian champion, winning in 2:25:45, a career best by more than three minutes. Petrova surged into the lead at 23 miles and withstood a burst by Italy’s Franca Fiacconi, who was second in 2:26:03.

After a long legal battle, wheelchair racers competed as official entrants in the New York City Marathon for the first time.

Kamel Ayari of New York won the men’s race in 1:53:50 and Helene Hines of Lido Beach, N.Y., won the women’s in 1:57:27.