New English resident Dawn Richardson captured the women?s Marathon Derby title in a dramatic finish yesterday that saw the lead change hands on three occasions inside half a mile of the finish line.

Having seemingly done all the hard work and overcome leg cramps, Canadian Karen Bordage could almost taste victory as she made the turn into Cedar Avenue and was met by hundreds of onlookers.

But Bordage?s bid for a first derby title was turned on its head when Richardson finally reeled her in near Victoria Park.

The race, however, wasn?t over.

Bordage refused to go down without a fight and managed to retake the lead on the slight incline at the junction of Cedar Avenue and Angle Street.

But despite all of her brave efforts, the 38-year-old couldn?t hold off a more powerful Richardson who opened up a slight gap with the finish line in sight to lay claim to the coveted title at her very first attempt.

Richardson, who was given special permission by organisers to compete despite not meeting the six-month residency rule, finished 28th overall in a time of one hour, 29 minutes and 37 seconds, closely followed by Bordage (1:29:56) with triathlete Kim McMullen (1:33:13) taking third.

?We were overtaking each other quite a bit and then she (Bordage) just pulled down and I was able to get away,? Richardson told afterwards.

?I knew she was definitely up for it and I didn?t think for a second I was going to be able to catch up with her. But the crowds were fantastic and amazing and I would like to thank them for their support.?

Asked how she planned to celebrate her triumph, the 34-year-old secretary replied: ?I?m going to spend the afternoon with my parents who came down from the UK to watch . . . watch the carnival and then have a couple of beers.?

Although she managed to improve on her personal best in the event, Bordage admitted that having allowed the race to slip from her grasp towards the end was a bitter pill to swallow.

?I didn?t know where she (Richardson) was behind me and so I was at a bit of a disadvantage,? she said. ?I tried to go with her and leave it all out on the road, but I just didn?t have it at the end. But I did the best I could and she did a great job.

?It was a bit disappointing because I ran to raise money for Hope Academy School, and so I wanted to win the race for charity. Of course, I?m disappointed not to have come in first, but I?m happy with second because I raced hard, did the best I could and Dawn helped to make it a very good race.

?The conditions were not bad, however. I did start to have calf cramps just before Burnt House Hill and had a really hard time on every hill.?

McMullen, meanwhile, was generally pleased with her own performance, although she did try to keep pace with Bordage during the initial stages of the race.

?I was probably with her for the first three miles but her pace was just too fast,? she said. ?I thought maybe she would burn herself out, and so I just backed off.

?And then Dawn caught up with me and I stuck with her for a very long time, but she gradually just inched away and then I had to run my own race.

?But overall I?m very pleased.?

Fourth place went to Rosa Peichoto in 1:33:36 while first Master (over 40) was Kathy Fulcher in 1:40:50.