The 37-year-old Ethiopian dropped out of the race after 16 miles on the Queensboro Bridge because of an injury to his right knee and then tearfully quit.

"I myself don't want to complain anymore after this, which means it's better to stop here," said the world record holder and arguably the greatest distance runner in history.

The double Olympic 10,000 metres gold medallist came here as the favourite but was in the medical tent as countryman Gebre Gebrmariam won in 2 hours 8min 14sec - more than four minutes outside his world record of 2:03:59.

Trouble had flared up for Gebrselassie yesterday when his knee began to hurt.

The runner known as the Emperor underwent an MRI scan that showed fluid and tendinitis in his knee.

Gebrselassie started the race as planned but decided after dropping out that it was time to call an end an international career that had begun as a teenager in 1992 when he won the 5,000 and 10,000m at the World Junior Championships in Seoul.

He followed those victories with Olympic gold medals in the 10,000m at Atlanta in 1996 and in Sydney four years later.

"I never think about to retire," said Gebrselassie.

"But for the first time this is the day."

It draws the curtain down on a remarkable career which also included four world 10,000m titles and 27 world records.

"Let me stop and do other work after this," said Gebrselassie.

"Let me do other job.

"Let me give a chance to the youngsters."

On Friday, Gebrselassie had claimed that this race marked the start of his build-up to the London 2012 Olympics.

"I did really very hard training to win this race [New York]," he said.

"It didn't work.

"After this, I know I have no discussion with my manager, with anybody, but I discuss with myself.

"That's why it's better to stop here."



Gebrmariam (pictured), though, insisted that Gebrselassie should not end his career in this fashion and that would be huge pressure from Ethiopia - where he has the status of a demigod - for him to continue until London 2012.

"I think everybody's worried about him stopping," Gebrmariam said.

"I think in Ethiopia he has to change his plans.

"He has to continue to race."

With Gebrselassie out of contention, Gebrmariam broke away from Kenya's Emmanuel Mutai in the final mile to complete a brilliant debut at the distance.

"I can't believe it," he said.

"I am so happy.

"It's my first marathon, and I wasn't sure I could win, but now I'm sure.

"New York is New York - it's so special for me just to finish.

The women's race was won by Kenya's Edna Kiplagat, who crossed the line in 2:28:20, 20 seconds ahead of America's Shalane Flanagan, who finished second on her debut.

Britain's Mara Yamauchi suffered a disappointing day as she slipped to 13th in 2:31:38.

Kiplagat, 31, had won the Los Angeles Marathon earlier in the year.

"This year has gone very well for me, starting in Los Angeles," she said.

"I'm happy that I've closed the year with New York success.

"So everything has gone as I planned."

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