Manitoba Marathon winner gets 1st place trophy with lucky marathon 13

After running 12 marathons, the 13th race was the charm for Manitoba Marathon winner Brad Keefe.

The Winnipegger crossed the finish line at 2:43:31.

"It was a good day, I'm glad it's over," Keefe said after battling the grueling humidity.

• Thousands of athletes pound the pavement during the 2016 Manitoba Marathon

It was a hard day for a race with the weather slowing runners down and making the water stations even more important. But Keefe was determined to win, especially when he lost the lead in the last two miles.

"I closed the gap. I knew with a mile to go, after five years of being third or second, I had the motivation to hurt for the last mile," he said.

Prior to Sunday morning, Keefe had run 12 competitive marathons but had never taken the top spot.

"I'll be happy to have finally a first place trophy beside my five thirds and seconds," Keefe said with a laugh.

Heather Magill, a Calgarian living in Grand, Forks N.D., finished first in the women's full marathon crossing the finish line at 2:55:53. It was her second time taking the top title at the Manitoba Marathon.

"I felt more pressure this year than I did last year, but it was really awesome to come back and win it again," she said.

A City of Winnipeg spokespersonsaid Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Servicestransported ninepatients to hospital, and another threewere assessed, following the marathon. The spokespersondid not disclose thenature of those patients' health concerns.