Paula Radcliffe of Britain successfully defended her New York City Marathon title on Sunday, becoming the second woman to win the race three times.

Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil won the men's race for the second time in three years, passing Abderrahim Goumri with about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) to go.

A 58-year-old Brazilian runner died Sunday night, several hours after he crossed the finish line and complained to race officials he felt ill, according to an Associated Press report.

The report said Carlos Jose Gomes of Sao Paulo died at Lennox Hill hospital.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2008)