Flanagan Wins New York

NEW YORK -- Shalane Flanagan became the first American woman to win the New York City Marathon since Miki Gorman,

took consecutive titles in 1976-77.

Flanagan pulled away for three time winner Mary Keitany with about three mile left in the race

Flanagan finished in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 53 seconds, about a minute faster than Keitany.

The American cried and yelled as she approached the finish line all alone.

"It's indescribable," the 36-year-old Flanagan said. "It's a moment I'm trying to soak up and savor."

Flanagan finished second in New York for her first marathon in 2010 but hadn't run this race since. This was her first marathon since finishing sixth at the Rio Games due to a fracture in her lower back.

"This is the moment I've dreamed off since I was a little girl," Flanagan said.

Flanagan had said she may retire if she won New York. She didn't immediately make an announcement regarding her future.