Radcliffe returns to win in New York Marathon

British world record-holder Paula Radcliffe made a triumphant marathon return on Sunday, winning the New York City Marathon 10 months after the birth of her daughter.

Radcliffe, 33, won in 2'23:09, beating Ethiopian Gete Wami (2'23:32) to complete a wire-to-wire victory. Radcliffe added another New York title to the one she captured in 2004.

Latvian Jelena Prokopcuka, the winner in New York the past two years, finished third in 2'26:13.

Radcliffe owns four of the five fastest marathons in history, including the world record of 2'15:25. But she hadn't run a marathon since claiming the world championship gold at Helsinki in 2005.

“I love this and I really enjoyed being back and racing marathons and winning marathons,” Radcliffe said. “It felt like old times, especially with Gete, like it was back in 1992 or something.

Radcliffe and Wami separated themselves from the field early, but it was the 33-year-old Briton who prevailed by 23 seconds at the finish in Central Park.

The men's race finished in similar style as Kenya's Martin Lel held off Morocco's Abderrahim Goumri in the final metres to win in 2'09:04.

Results :

Men:

1) Martin Lel (Ken) 2'09:04
2) Abderrahim Goumri (Mor) 2'09:16
3) Hendrick Ramaala (Rsa) 2'11:25

Women:

1) Paula Radcliffe (Bri) 2'23:09
2) Gete Wami (Eth) 2'23:32
3) Jelena Prokupcuka (Lat) 2'26:13