from Richard Lewis in New York
Paula Radcliffe remains the greatest woman marathoner in history but here in New York today she suffered injury once more.
Radcliffe finished fourth in the ING New York Marathon, the first occasion in her illustrious career as a runner over 26.2 miles that she has not won a big city race.
One defeat in eight remains a stunning record but on this occasion she was struck by a tendon injury to her left leg after 11 miles.
Before the race, Radcliffe needed an injection to ease the pain of the problem but it came back to haunt her.
She ended up fourth in 2:29:27 as Ethiopian Derartu Tulu won in 2:28:52, with Russia's Ludmila Petrova second in 2:29.00 and Christelle Daunay, of France, third in 2:29:16.
Radcliffe could do more.
She said: "It was hard. I ran last night. I couldn't feel it (the injury) and I was thinking 'Finally, it's okay'. But I am just disappointed."
Radcliffe, chasing a fourth victory here and a third successive one, led a group of six.
The women's elite field made it through 20km in 1:10:08 with Radcliffe setting the standard ahead of Christelle Daunay, of France, Ethiopian Derartu Tulu, Russian Ludmila Petrova, Kenyan Salina Kosgei and Magdalena Lewy Boulet of the USA.
But it was a dramatic morning for Kosgei who tripped early on the race, with Japan's Yuri Kano crashing down behind her.
Kano was among those expected to challenge Radcliffe but by 20km she was more than two minutes behind the rest such was the effect of her fall.
But as the injury began to take its toll, Radcliffe never once had the chance to assert the type of conviction that has made her such a superstar at the distance.
By mile 23, it was all over for Radcliffe.
She dropped back and Tulu and Petrova took over.
It was between those two as Daunay slipped to third and the Russian was determined to go one better than last year when she was second to Radcliffe.
But as the pair headed back into Central Park, double Olympic 10,000m champion - let us not forget she won the first of those titles as far as 1992 in Barcelona - delivered a winning sprint.
Tulu, 37, said: "I am extremely happy. After giving birth to my second child, I have run in three marathons. I have had patience and I am extremely happy that I have succeeded.
"I have trained really hard. I did not expect to win here and I planned to fight to the end because I am a good competitor.
"Paula's pace would have been quicker had she been fitter."
Radcliffe added: "The injury will go with time.”
American Meb Keflezighi was the home hero as he won the men's race in 2:09:15 with Kenyan Robert Cheruiyot second in 2:09:56 and Morocco's Jaouad Gharib third in 2:10:25.
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