A Manhattan man was convicted yesterday of trying to rape a 73-year-old woman out for a morning stroll near the East River two years ago.

Kentrel Whitaker, 33, approached the woman from behind, threw her to the ground and repeatedly hit her before trying to rape her.

The Aug. 15, 2010, attack was interrupted by a good Samaritan walking on the promenade near East 111th Street. Whitaker fled but he left behind DNA evidence that led to his identification by investigators.

“The DNA databank played an integral role in the prosecution of this case,” said DA Cyrus Vance Jr.