New York Marathon Results 2014: Winners, Finishing Times and Highlights

Blustery conditions made an already challenging 2014 New York City Marathon journey an even taller task on Sunday morning.

After a most taxing 26.2 miles of supreme athletic endurance through the Big Apple, Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany, both from Kenya and 32 years old, won the men's and women's races, respectively.

Here is a look at the top finishers and their times, as the gusting winds contributed to a slower pace than usual:

Ethipoia's Lelisa Desisa gave Kipsang all he could handle down to the finish, as the men's champion remained barely out in front as the two separated themselves over the last two miles. Kipsang exploded to the finish line to come in just seven seconds ahead of Desisa.

ESPN's Darren Rovell noted the financial implications of Kipsang's victory, which marks his third World Marathon Major title:

It was Kipsang's New York City debut, making it all the more impressive that he was able to fend off the likes of Desisa and the rest of such a quality field.

The event's official Twitter account noted how fast the top men were running in the latter stage of the race:

Kipsang's official website documented some of what he had to say afterward regarding his long-awaited trip to New York and what he saw when the conclusion approached in Central Park.

"I love New York. I was so happy that I got invited back after the cancellation two years ago due to hurricane Sandy," said Kipsang. "I sprinted very much in the last 200 meter, I saved energy for that. That's why I won."

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Gebregziabher Gebremariam, also from Ethiopia, came in third. Three American men placed in the top 10, headlined by this year's Boston Marathon winner in 39-year-old Meb Keflezighi. Previous two-time winner Geoffrey Mutai (Kenya) was just behind Keflezighi in fifth.

As for Keitany, she is well acquainted with winning marquee marathons, per Infostrada Sports:

It was a suspenseful finish for the women as well, because Keitany's Kenyan compatriot, Jemima Sumgong, was just three seconds off the winning pace.  

An extended layoff didn't stop Keitany, which Joe Battaglia of NBCOlympics.com lauded her for:

NBCSports.com's Nick Zaccardi highlighted the respectable performance put forth by women's tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, using an image as context:

The top American runner on the women's side was Desiree Linden, who finished fifth behind Portugal's Sara Moreira and Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia.

More than 50,000 people participated in the 44th edition of the New York City Marathon, and those who headed the pack in both races created two sensational finishes that won't soon be forgotten.

Kipsang cemented his status as a superstar distance runner by getting the job done Sunday. That he still had enough in the tank in the end to sprint to the finish, and planned on doing so, is a testament to his greatness. Such stamina and swiftness should see him remain competitive in many major marathons moving forward.

The New York City Marathon was the last of the Big Six marathons of the year. These elite runners will have several months to rest up before the next campaign kicks off at the Tokyo Marathon on Feb. 22, 2015.