Sonia must bridge the gap

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.

The ambitious prediction came from one of the world's top distance coaches, Dr Gabriele Rosa, the Italian who guides the career of defending New York champion Margaret Okayo.

With O'Sullivan eager to cover the first half of the race in 71 minutes, Dr Rosa is adamant Okayo who specialises in running the second phase at a much faster pace will cover that stretch in under 69 minutes.