Hail Brazil: Gomes captures NYC Marathon

Nov 5, 2006, 18:45 GMT

New York, NY - Brazil's Marilson Gomes dos Santos became the first South American to cross the finish line at the New York City Marathon as champion, breaking away from a star-studded field down the homestretch to finish in an unofficial time of two hours, nine minutes and 58 seconds.

Stephen Kiogora and defending champion Paul Tergat -- a pair of talented Kenyans -- finished second and third.

Gomes began to assert himself with about a quarter of the race left. Heading into the Bronx he started to lengthen his lead and by the time he was exiting Central Park he was all alone.

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was still on the course when Gomes crossed the finish line. The American sports icon was on pace to meet his goal of finishing the race in less than three hours.

On the women's side, defending champion Jelena Prokopcuka dominated from start to finish, becoming the first woman in more than a decade to capture consecutive New York City Marathon titles.

Tegla Loroupe of Kenya won back-to-back marathons in 1994-95.

The Latvian Prokopcuka started quickly and maintained her pace, finishing in two hours, 25 minutes and five seconds on the overcast day in New York. Her lead grew to almost 90 seconds as the race meandered from the Bronx into Manhattan.

Prokopcuka's victory ruined the title hopes of Deena Kastor, the world's top- ranked marathon runner, who was favored to become the first American woman to win the race since 1997.

© 2006 The Sports Network