New York City Marathon 2011: Geoffrey Mutai Is on Fast Track to Legend Status

Geoffrey Mutai is finishing off a year that is pushing him to an all-time elite level as a marathon runner. He has dominated two of the year's highest-profile races in scintillating and record-breaking fashion.

Mutai scorched the field in the 2011 Boston Marathon, finishing with a time of 2:05:06. That was a world record-worthy marathon time.

However, the time is not recognized as a record, because the Boston Marathon is a point-to-point race. 

It is certainly recognized as a course record, though. Mutai's mark shattered the old course record by almost three minutes.

As impressive as that run was, he may have outdone himself in the New York City Marathon.

Mutai used a dominant finishing kick to distance himself from the lead pack at the NYC Marathon to finish with a time of 2:05:06.

That is more than 2.5 minutes better than the previous record of 2:07:43 set by Tesfaye Jifar. That mark had stood for a decade.

While that time is two minutes slower than Mutai's time in Boston, it came on a course that is filled with hills and climbs.

Mutai's resume has more to offer than those two victories, too.

He also won the Monaco Marathon in 2008, and he has twice captured the Eindhoven Marathon.

Along with his dominance in the marathons, Mutai is a fantastic half-marathon runner as well; since 2008, Mutai has won four half-marathons.

Mutai is obviously hitting his peak as a runner, and records are the victim of his dominance. His success points to great things next year; add another year like this one, and Mutai's place among the sport's all-time greats will be cemented.