New York, USA - On a cool, windy day, Brazil’s Marilson Gomes de Santos won the 39th ING New York City Marathon, coming from behind in the last half mile to finish first in 2:08:43. Behind Gomes, who won this race two years ago and finished eighth last year, was Moroccan Abderrhahim Goumri, in 2:09:07; Kenyan Daniel Rono (2:11:22); 2005 winner Paul Tergat of Kenya (2:13:10); Abderraahin Bouramdame of Morocco (2:13:33); and American Abdi Abdirahman (2:14:17). Ten men were in a bunch at the halfway mark in 1:06:16, but going up First Avenue from miles 16-20, Gomes and Goumri broke away from the group and quickly turned it into a two-man affair, with Gomes pushing the pace and Goumri apparently running easily a step behind. Then, at 22 miles, Goumri easily strode into the lead. He pulled away ever so slowly, and seemed to have the race in hand, even though his margin never reached more than 10 seconds. But with 800 meters or so to go, he began to fade, and Gomes came on again and raced away to win by the biggest margin anyone had in the entire race, 24 seconds. Said Gomes, of his comeback, “I have seen many marathons decided at the last minute, so you never lose hope. You have to keep trying, and I kept pushing even though I was six or seven seconds behind. I got focused, and that’s why I passed him and won the race.” Goumri blamed his last-mile fadeout on a mistake. “I missed my drinks at four stations, and I think the sugar in my body was not enough, and I think that’s why I did not win the race. When I got the 10-second lead, I thought ‘I think it is my day.’ But when Marilson came back and passed me, I thought, “I can’t win today.” Results – MEN 1. Marilson Gomes Dos Santos, BRA 2:08:43 2. Abderrahim Goumri, MAR 2:09:07 3. Daniel Rono, KEN 2:11:22 4. Paul Tergat, KEN 2:13:10 5. Abderrahime Bouramdane, MAR 2:13:33 6. Abdi Abdirahman, USA 2:14:17 7. Josh Rohatinsky, USA 2:14:23 8. Jason Lehmkuhle, USA 2:14:30 9. Hosea Rotich, KEN 2:15:26 1 0. Bolota Asmerom, USA 2:16:37