Tight security greeted spectators and competitors at the New York City Marathon yesterday – almost six months on from the Boston Marathon bombings.
Sniffer dogs and surveillance helicopters monitored the crowds and bags were checked at the finish line, where security was at its heaviest.
Hopes were high for a successful event this year after the 2012 marathon was cancelled due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy.
And emotions ran higher still after two bombs were set off at the end of the Boston event in April, killing three people and injuring 260.
About 47,000 runners took to the streets yesterday and the event passed off without any problems. The race covered five boroughs and required 1,500 security cameras. Geoffrey Mutai, of Kenya, successfully defended his 2011 New York title, and fellow Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo won the female race.
Tatyana McFadden, who was born with spina bifida, became the first person to win four major marathons in a calendar year having already triumphed in the Boston, London and Chicago races this year.
The Russian-born American wheelchair athlete completed the event in 1hr 59min 13sec.
British runners performed well with Toby Spencer ranking highest at 45th place in a time of two hours, 33 minutes and 34 seconds. The highest female was 58th taken by Ruth Senior at three hours, three minutes and four seconds. Many more UK runners competed in aid of their chosen charities, or to fulfil a personal challenge.