I'm In - Pro Women

Edna Kiplagat of Kenya was running in only her third marathon, but she looked like a veteran on Sunday as she pushed the pace through Central Park. She dropped her last two challengers with about two miles left in the race and held on to win in a time of 2:28:20. American Olympian Shalane Flanagan, who was making her marathon debut, battled past reigning world half-marathon champion Mary Keitany of Kenya (also a first-time marathoner) to finish second in 2:28:40; Keitany took third in 2:29:01. Flanagan’s finish was the highest for an American woman since 1990, and because the race served as the USA Marathon Championship, her impressive debut also made her the 2010 national champion.

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NYRR Young Runners from the five boroughs of NYC introduced the professional women's field at the start.
And they're off!
The ING New York City Marathon showcases the women's professional field with a separate start 25 minutes before the professional men.
Through the early miles in Brooklyn the runners remained in a close pack.
The pack-style running offered the athletes some protection from gusty headwinds.
U.S. Olympic medalist Shalane Flanagan and Los Angeles Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya battled in the final stages.
In the clear, Kiplagat stole a backward glance.
Kiplagat broke the tape in 2:28:20 for her second marathon victory this year.
Flanagan made history with a 2:28:40 runner-up finish in her debut marathon. It was the highest placing by an American woman in New York since Kim Jones in 1990.
Mary Keitany of Kenya, also making her marathon debut, finished third in 2:29:01.
It was the first victory by a Kenyan woman in New York since Margaret Okayo in 2003.
Flanagan got a congratulatory hug from 1984 Olympic marathon gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson.