Goucher 3rd as fastest American woman ever at NYC Marathon; 4 Americans in men's top 10
NEW YORK - World record holder Paula Radcliffe won her third ING New York City Marathon as 2007 World Outdoor 10,000m bronze medalist Kara Goucher turned in a history-making American performance in third Sunday morning. 2006 champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil won his second men's title as four American men placed in the top 10 on a sunny, cool and windy day.

Great Britain's Radcliffe moved to 3-0 in the five-borough race, pulling away from Irina Petrova of Russia in the 20th mile to win the women's title in 2:23:56. At age 40, Petrova broke the world record for masters in finishing second in 2:25:43. Goucher was third in 2:25:53.

Born in Queens, Goucher and her family moved to Minnesota when she was three, after her father was killed by a drunk driver. On Sunday, her performance set three milestones. It was the fastest marathon debut ever by an American woman, beating Deena Kastor's 2:26:58 run in placing seventh at New York in 2001; it was the fastest time ever by an American at the ING New York City Marathon; and it marked the first time in 14 years that an American woman placed in the top three in New York. Anne Marie Letko was third in 1994 in 2:30:19 to mark the last American presence on the podium in New York, prior to Sunday.