from Richard Lewis in New York
Paula Radcliffe has made a typically impressive but steady start to this morning's ING New York Marathon.
After 5km, the British star has been in control having led all the way since the runners were sent on their way from Staten Island.
Radcliffe is chasing the course record of 2:22:31 and she was smiling from the start. Interviewed just seconds before the race began, Radcliffe said: "I am happy. New York City is in my hearts."
The first mile is always a tough one here and so it proved again today as the runners made their way into Brooklyn, crossing the Verrazono Bridge which is a tricky climb then drop.
Radcliffe led the field through the first mile in 6.21.
By 5km, she was joined at the front in a group of seven by Ludmila Petrova and Christelle Daunay in 17:55.
The race takes in the five Boroughs of New York, from Staten Island to Brooklyn to Queens to The Bronz and then finally into Manhattan where the race finishes in Central Park.