Ill Smith fails in NYC 

An ill Kim Smith had a tough introduction to the marathon on Monday, pulling out of the race in New York well short of the finish.

The United States-based New Zealander, stepping up to the 42.195km distance for the first time after having contested the 10,000m at the Beijing Olympics in August, kept pace with the leaders early on.

But she withdrew just after the 30km mark, stricken with a sore throat and having felt ill for the past few days.

Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe won the event for the third time in two hours 23 minutes 56 seconds.

Only Norwegian great Grete Waitz, with nine victories, the last in 1988, has had more success in New York.

Smith, 26, was sixth in the leading group through 5km and she remained handily placed after 10km.

But she slipped back for the first time at 20km and was almost 4min off the pace by the 30km mark.

In the men's race, won by Brazilian Marilson Gomes dos Santos in 2hr 8min 43sec, the best

NZ finish

New Zealand finish came from US-based John Henwood, who was 21st in 2hr 21min 55sec.

A former Olympic and Commonwealth Games representative, Henwood has a best finish of 13th in the New York marathon three years ago, when he clocked 2hr 15min 5sec.

Further back in the field, compatriot Rod Dixon, 58, marked the 25th anniversary of his memorable triumph in 1983 ago by going around the course through the city's five boroughs with daughter Emma, 28.

The pair clocked 3hr 32min, which was within their target of between 3hr 30min and 3hr 45min.

Dixon then said he might have to run another marathon when he reached 78.

He said 10-year-old daughter Cecile had cut out a newspaper article highlighting his coming appearance in the New York marathon and had taken it to show her class.

"She cut it out and took it to school, announcing that she was going to run the marathon with me when she is 29," he said.

"That would make me 78."

In 1983, Dixon overtook Briton Geoff Smith over the final stages to snatch victory in a time of 2hr 8min 59sec.

The scene at the finish line that day produced an iconic sporting photo depicting Dixon with his arms raised to the heavens, while behind him Smith lay exhausted on his back.