Liliya Shobukhova became the first Russian woman to win the Virgin London Marathon today in an unofficial time of two hours, 22 minutes.

THE family of Stephen Gately said yesterday they were devastated by the sudden death of the Boyzone singer while on holiday on the Spanish island of Majorca.

Having crossed the finish line, the runners go into shock, shivering in a way that rocks a small car on its wheels and begin personal comparison: did they do better than they did last year, or last month in this city or on another continent?

KENYA’S Patrick Ivuti edged Morocco’s Jaouad Gharib in a photo-finish yesterday to win a Chicago Marathon run in blast furnace conditions.

STEVE JONES enjoys celebrity status now those days and he will be found among the sponsors, promoters and VIPs at all the major marathons.

Paula Radcliffe smashed the women’s marathon record with a successful defence of her London Marathon title today.

Olympic 5,000 metres silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan has spent the last week at her 'alma mater' of Villanova University completing preparations for Sunday’s New York City Marathon.

Sonia O’Sullivan starts her quest for a second BUPA Great North Run victory tomorrow insisting: “I’ve never felt fitter.”

European 5,000 metres gold and silver medallists Marta Dominguez and Sonia O’Sullivan will renew their rivalry tomorrow in the Flora Light Challenge in London’s Hyde Park.

PAULA RADCLIFFE, winner of two major championship gold medals in the last month, has interrupted her preparations for the Chicago Marathon and replied to drug allegations made against her two brilliant performances.

SONIA O'SULLIVAN is expecting the big challenge will come from Paula Radcliffe when she sets out in defence of her European 10,000m title at the Olympic Stadium in Munich tomorrow night.

A fully fit Paula Radcliffe will compete for the first time since her unforgettable Flora London Marathon success in April when she competes in theMonaco IAAF Golden League Meeting on July19.