SERGIY LEBID stole the show with a devastating last lap surge to claim his fifth successive title - and his sixth in all - at the SPAR European cross-country championships in Tilburg, overcoming the challenge of Spain’s Alberto Garcia, the European 5,000m champion who only returned from a two-year ban for a positive drugs test last March.

IRISH Olympian Marie Davenport will run her first marathon next month when she takes on the hallowed 26.2 mile course around New York City.

Martin Lel left fellow Kenyan and defending champion Rodgers Rop in his wake to win the New York City men’s marathon crown yesterday, as compatriot Margaret Okayo took the women’s race in a course record time.

High winds blowing relentlessly off the Solent ruined any hopes Sonia O’Sullivan had of breaking the world 10-mile record again at the BUPA Great South Run.

Ireland's former 5000m world champion Sonia O'Sullivan comfortably qualified for Saturday's final in a season's best time of 14 minutes 55.50secs.

SONIA O’SULLIVAN’S bite at the Big Apple ended in disappointment yesterday when she struggled home in 12th place in the New York City Marathon in a time of 2:32:06.

New York Marathon positions

SONIA O’SULLIVAN may have to join the exclusive club of women who have run under two hours and 20 minutes if she is to win the New York City Marathon tomorrow.

Sonia O’Sullivan is adamant she doesn’t feel any pressure that her performance in Sunday’s New York City Marathon will be compared with the brilliant successes this year of Paula Radcliffe.

SONIA O'SULLIVAN is ready for New York and New York just can't wait.