Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) Paula Radcliffe glanced over her shoulder to see the competition lined up in single file behind her.

Triple threat: Paula Radcliffe crosses the finish line first to win the women's division at the New York City Marathon on Sunday. AP PHOTO

The world record-holder was so dominant in gusty conditions at the New York City Marathon that she served in the dual roles of leader and windbreaker and still breezed to a comfortable victory Sunday, her second straight and third overall.

Radcliffe didn't need a dramatic finish as in her previous two wins — that was saved for the men's race, in which Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil blew past Abderrahim Goumri with about 1 1/2 km to go.

A 58-year-old Brazilian runner died Sunday night, several hours after he crossed the finish line and complained to race officials he felt ill. Carlos Jose Gomes of Sao Paulo died at Lennox Hill hospital according to police. The cause of death was not immediately released. At least two other runners fell ill during the race and had to be hospitalized.

Radcliffe led nearly the entire way, as none of her rivals seemed to want to brave the elements.

"It was like, 'Come on, we've got the whole road,' " she said with a laugh.

Radcliffe became the second woman to win the event three times, pulling away from Ludmila Petrova in the 22nd mile (35th km). The Brit finished in two hours, 23 minutes, 56 seconds.

Crossing the line behind Radcliffe were a veteran proving she can still keep up with younger runners and a marathon rookie showing she can race with the best in the world.

The 40-year-old Petrova was second in 2:25:43, eight years after she won the NYC Marathon. She became the oldest woman to finish in the top two since Priscilla Welch of Great Britain won in 1987 at the age of 42. The Russian also set a Masters world record for runners 40 and over, breaking Welch's mark set in London in 1987.

The men's champion has a special affection for New York, where he has won his only two major marathon titles. He was a surprise winner in 2006 before finishing eighth last year.

Goumri pulled away from Gomes in the 22nd mile and appeared headed to his elusive first major marathon title. Instead, the Moroccan was the runnerup for the second straight year.

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