KEY POINTS:
Auckland runner Nina Rillstone finished seventh in the New York Marathon yesterday, the best performance by a New Zealand woman for 21 years.
In her second marathon, Rillstone ran 2h 31.19m, six minutes behind winner Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia, the first woman to win two years in a row at New York for 11 years.
Brazil's Marilson Gomes dos Santos was the men's winner in 2h 9.58m.
Rillstone's placing was the best by a New Zealander since 1991 when Rex Wilson finished sixth. Lorraine Moller finished 4th in 1985.
Allison Roe (1981) and Rod Dixon (1983) are New Zealand's only champions.
Rillstone finished strongly, passing several top-ranked runners in the last 5km, including world cross-country champion Lornah Kiplagat and Susan Chepkemei, described as one of the world's best road runners.
"Although I finished strongly and felt that I maybe had another minute up my sleeve, I had picked up everyone I could catch," Rillstone said.
Her time may also have qualified her for the Beijing Olympics, providing the provisional standards issued by the New Zealand Olympic Committee are confirmed.
Rillstone said she was considering running another marathon before next year's world championships in Osaka.
NZ television presenter Mary Lambie finished in 4h 43.31m.
