Tergat joins top field at New York City Marathon

World record holder Paul Tergat of Kenya adds his illustrious name to a strong field of contenders for today's 36th running of the New York City Marathon.

On a day expected to be unseasonably warm, defending champion Hendrik Ramaala of South Africa will go up against double Olympic silver medalist Tergat, London champion Martin Lel of Kenya, Boston winner Hailu Negussie of Ethiopia and last year's Olympic silver medalist Mebrahtom Keflezighi.

"It has been my dream for many years to compete in one of the best fields ever, anywhere," said 36-year-old Tergat, who is making his Big Apple debut.

The men are chasing a first prize of $100,000, while the women's race offers a marathon record pay-off of $130,000, augmented by an extra $30,000 funded by sponsor ING bank.

The women's field is missing 2004 champion Paula Radcliffe of Britain, who decided against defending her crown after winning the women's world marathon title in August in Helsinki.

Twice winner Margaret Okayo is also absent because of a tendon injury.

Their absence opens the door to last year's runner-up Susan Chepkemei of Kenya, second by three seconds in the closest New York women's finish ever, and Kenya-born Lorna Kiplagat of the Netherlands, who has won nine road races this year.

The elite runners are among more than 35,000 competitors from 100 countries who will race through all five boroughs of New York.

Crowds of 2.5 million spectators are again expected to line the course and cheer on the runners.

The field is expected to include former tennis star Yannick Noah of France, a group of runners from flood ravaged New Orleans and Tibetan Lama Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, running in part to raise money to rebuild a monastic and education center in Tibet's Surmang Valley.