Sonia says slow pace was not the right tactic

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.

It was well outside her expectations but her compatriot Mark Carroll was all smiles after the run of his life in sixth place after actually leading the race at half way.

Joyce Chepchumba who finished fourth last year and third five years earlier was a surprise women’s winner in 2:25:56 as her fellow Kenyans, pre-race favourite Lornah Kiplagat faded to finish eighth and defending champion, Margaret Okaya, lost touch with proceedings in the first five miles.