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| Gomes dos Santos made a blazing finish to take the men's crown [GALLO/GETTY] |
Britain's Paula Radcliffe won the New York City marathon for a third time in emphatic fashion while Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil posted a dramatic come-from-behind win in the men's race ahead of Moroccan Abderrahim Goumri.
Radcliffe led from start to finish and pulled away with a commanding performance to defend her 2007 title with a time of two hours 23 minutes 56 seconds.
The victory made Radcliffe the only woman other than nine-times winner Grete Waitz of Norway to claim more than two New York titles, having also won in 2004.
Finishing second nearly two minutes behind was 40-year-old Ludmila Petrova of Russia, the 2000 winner, in a time of 2:25:43.
American Kara Goucher, running her first marathon, was third in 2:25:53, almost two minutes ahead of Rita Jeptoo of Kenya.
Cool runnings
"It's just a place where I love to come," Radcliffe said after the 26.2 mile run in cool, windy conditions on Sunday.
"It always seems to bring out the best in me.
"It was nice to win a different way. The last two times have been really close finishes at the end."
World record-holder Radcliffe's triumph was extra sweet coming after a 23rd place in the Beijing Olympic marathon, where her training was hampered by injury.
Gomes dos Santos, the 2006 winner, duelled with last year's runner-up Goumri over the last six miles and trailed the Moroccan as they headed for the last section of the race in Central Park.
Goumri fades
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| Goumri reflects on a lead lost [GALLO/GETTY] |
Goumri, seeking his first major marathon victory, suddenly hit the wall, and the Brazilian roared past to extend his lead through to the finish line, winning in 2:08:43.
The Moroccan finished 24 seconds back in 2:09:07.
Daniel Rono of Kenya was a distant third in 2:11:22 in the race that attracted 38,377 runners.
Paul Tergat of Kenya, the 2005 champion, was fourth.
"I never lost hope," Gomes dos Santos said. "When I got to Central Park, the people got me going and inspired me to win the race."
The Brazilian said his triumph showed that his 2006 victory was not a fluke.
"I proved it wasn't luck," he said. "This course is very much set up for me. It reminds me of home."
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