New York - Britain's Paula Radcliffe Sunday won the New York marathon for a second successive year to become only the second woman to win the race for a third time. The 34-year-old world record holder, who also won in 2004, led from start to finish in 2 hours 23 minutes 56 seconds, nearly two minutes ahead of Russia's Ludmila Petrova (2:25:43).
Kara Goucher finished third in 2:25:52 on her marathon debut, becoming the first American on the podium in the race in 14 years.
Radcliffe became the second woman to win the race three times after nine-time winner Grete Waitz of Norway.
The victory also follows the disappointment of a 23rd-place finish at the Beijing Games when a stress fracture hampered her preparations.
