World record holder Paula Radcliffe rebounded from her Athens Olympics traumas on Sunday with a dramatic victory in the closest finish yet to the women's New York City marathon.

The 30-year-old Briton, who dropped out of the Olympic marathon in August after starting the race as favourite, was neck-to-neck with Kenyan Susan Chepkemei until the final metres where she pulled away to win by four seconds in 2:23:10.

"I don't think today was about sending out messages and I think it's very difficult to make up for it," Radcliffe said.

"But in its own right winning here in New York is very important to me. It's just important to be back feeling happy and feeling like myself again."

Hendrik Ramaala became the second South African to win the men's race in 2:09:28.

Their victories broke a Kenyan stranglehold on the race in recent years, although Kenyans finished in both the men's and women's top three.

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Radcliffe, who also failed to finish the 10,000 metres in Athens, added: "It's been a long year. It's a good way to end the year, I'm ready for a long rest now."

Ramaala, the first South African to win since Willie Mtolo in 1992, defeated Olympic silver medallist Meb Keflezighi of the United States, who clocked 2:09:53. Kenyan Timothy Cherigat finished third.

About two million spectators watched the 42.195 kms race through the city's five boroughs on a sunny, warm autumn day.