By Bob Ramsak
Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain retained her title and Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil regained his at the ING New York City Marathon today.
Radcliffe, who controlled the race from the gun, captured her third victory over the five-borough course in 2:23:56. Unlike in her previous New York victories, Radcliffe was never challenged, finishing well ahead of Russian Ludmila Petrova, who clocked 2:25:43.
Gomes dos Santos, the 2006 winner, came from behind over the last two miles to win handily in 2:08:43 after overtaking Moroccan Abderrahim Goumri, who held on for second in 2:09:07.
Contesting her marathon debut, American Kara Goucher finished third clocking 2:25:53. Kenyan Rita Jeptoo was a distant fourth in 2:27:49.
More than two minutes back, Daniel Rono of Kenya was a distant third in the men's race, clocking 2:11:22. Former world record holder Paul Tergat was fourth (2:13:10).
NOTE: Look for a complete report from New York later today.
Top-ten finishers (unofficial times):
MEN -
| 1. Marilson Gomes Dos Santos, BRA | 2:08:43 |
| 2. Abderrahim Goumri, MAR | 2:09:07 |
| 3. Daniel Rono, KEN | 2:11:22 |
| 4. Paul Tergat, KEN | 2:13:10 |
| 5. Abderrahime Bouramdane, MAR | 2:13:33 |
| 6. Abdi Abdirahman, USA | 2:14:17 |
| 7. Josh Rohatinsky, USA | 2:14:23 |
| 8. Jason Lehmkuhle, USA | 2:14:30 |
| 9. Hosea Rotich, KEN | 2:15:26 |
| 10. Bolota Asmerom, USA | 2:16:37 |
WOMEN -
| 1. Paula Radcliffe, GBR | 2:23:56 |
| 2. Ludmila Petrova, RUS | 2:25:43 |
| 3. Kara Goucher, USA | 2:25:53 |
| 4. Rita Jeptoo, KEN | 2:27:49 |
| 5. Catherine Ndereba, KEN | 2:29:14 |
| 6. Gete Wami, ETH | 2:29:25 |
| 7. Dire Tune, ETH | 2:29:28 |
| 8. Lidia Simon, ROU | 2:30:04 |
| 9. Lyubov Morgunova, RUS | 2:30:38 |
| 10. Katie Mcgregor, USA | 2:31:14 |
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