Sports briefs: Kenyans win revived New York..

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running • The New York City Marathon returned after a one-year absence with big crowds, heightened security and a familiar champion. Geoffrey Mutai successfully defended his title Sunday, while fellow Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo came from behind to win the women's race. Bronx resident Buzunesh Deba finished runner-up for the second straight time in her hometown event.

Fans again packed the 26.2-mile course. The 2012 NYC Marathon was canceled because of the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. After the bombings at April's Boston Marathon, bomb-sniffing dogs roamed the course, and barricades limited access points to Central Park. A record 50,740 runners started the race through the five boroughs.

Mutai pulled away around Mile 22 and beat Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede by 52 seconds. On a windy morning, Mutai's time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, 24 seconds was well off his course record of 2:05:06 set in nearly perfect conditions two years ago.

Jeptoo won in 2:25:07.

Park City's Fabien Beaufils (2:44.44) was the top Utah finisher, placing 140th in the men's race.

Utahn Marci Lemonnier (3:06.23) finished 68th in the women's race.

Vettel earns 11th victory of season

auto racing • World champion Sebastian Vettel won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in dominant fashion Sunday in the United Arab Emirates for his seventh straight victory and 11th of the season.

Although the German had already clinched his fourth consecutive world title, he overtook his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber on the first turn and was untroubled after that. Vettel beat second-placed Webber by 30.8 seconds and Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg by 33.6 seconds.

Djokovic claims crown in Paris

tennis • Novak Djokovic beat defending champion David Ferrer 7-5, 7-5 to win the Paris Masters for his 17th straight match victory and sixth title of the season. The second-seeded Serb still has a slim chance to finish the season ranked ahead of No. 1 Rafael Nadal. Djokovic improved to 11-5 against Ferrer, who was looking to become the first player to win back-to-back Paris Masters titles.

• In Sofia, Bulgaria, Simona Halep won the season-ending Tournament of Champions, defeating Samantha Stosur 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 for her sixth career title.

The Associated Press

Sports briefs: Kenyans win revived New York City Marathon