Veteran road racer Terrance Armstrong led home Bermuda's runners in Sunday's New York Marathon, with a finish in the top 500.

But it was a disappointing day for pre-race favourite Jay Donawa, who was forced to pull out just four miles before the finish line.

Armstrong, three-times winner of the May 24 half marathon, finished strongly in 458th place with an official time of 2.52.36.- some 45 minutes behind the overall men's winner, Brazilian Marilson Gomes Dos Santos.

Donawa, competing in the event for only the second time, started strongly and had reached the 22-mile mark in 2 hours and eight minutes when he was forced to retire.

Another veteran, Ricky Sousa, was the second Bermudian home with a time of 3.09.03. and was followed by Geoff Blee, who, in a remarkable run, was able to complete the gruelling course in a time of 3.10.27. Blee suffered extensive injuries early this year when he broke two ribs and fractured seven others after falling on Sousa's boat during the Queen's Birthday celebrations in June. As well as the damaged ribs, he suffered a collapsed lung.

More than two million spectators braved the crisp conditions to cheer on 38,000 competitors.

But although conditions at the Central Park finishing line seemed ideal for long-distance running - clear skies, cool temperatures and no hint of a breeze - athletes had to contend with strong winds through much of the course, with the latter stretches snaking through the concrete canyons of Manhattan.

"It was very, very cold, particularly at the start of the race," Blee said after completing the course. It was tough going across the Verrazona-Narrows Bridge - the wind was blowing right across it.

"I'm not at all disappointed with my time. Because of my injuries I wasn't able to start training until August and so to be honest I was just glad to start to begin with - and to finish.

"Although the conditions weren't great the crowds were fantastic. They made it a real occasion and I think all the runners really appreciated it."