Britain's Paula Radcliffe won the New York City marathon for a third time in emphatic fashion yesterday, while Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil posted a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the men's race.

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. She had also won the race in 2004.

Finishing second nearly two minutes behind was 40-year-old Ludmila Petrova of Russia in a time of 2:25:43.

American Kara Goucher was third in 2:25:53.

World record-holder Radcliffe's triumph was extra sweet coming after a 23rd place in the Beijing Olympic marathon.

Gomes dos Santos, the 2006 winner, duelled with last year's runner-up Abderrahim Goumri over the last six miles and trailed the Moroccan as they headed for the last section of the race in Central Park.

Goumri suddenly hit the wall, and the Brazilian roared past the Moroccan and extended his lead through to the finish line, winning in 2:08:43.

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