Sports briefs for November 8, 2004

Monday, Nov. 8, 2004 | 9:25 a.m.

Radcliffe wins closest New York Marathon

Less than three months after her tearful disappointments at the Athens Olympics, British distance star Paula Radcliffe held off Kenyan Susan Chepkemei to win the closest New York City Marathon women's race. Radcliffe won in 2 hours, 23 minutes, 10 seconds and Chepkemei was 4 seconds behind her.

Hendrik Ramaala of South Africa won the men's race in 2:09:28 for his first marathon victory. He pulled out of the marathon at Athens because of a pulled hamstring.

Radcliffe was the pre-race favorite in Athens, but she was forced to quit the race 3 miles from the finish because of a queasy stomach and a nagging leg injury. She decided to run the New York race only two weeks ago and went into the race having just a few days of training.

"I don't think it was about sending messages," she said. "It was about running well for me and enjoying it and just being back to racing normally. In its own right, winning here in New York is very special to me."

Olympics silver medalist Meb Keflezighi of the United States was second in the men's race, 35 seconds behind the winner.

Jockeys ejected

Several jockeys have been ejected from Churchill Downs' fall meet after threatening not to ride in a protest over what they consider insufficient health insurance. The track would not reveal the exact number of jockeys barred, but the group includes Rafael Bejarano, the nation's leader in wins. The fall meet runs through Nov. 27.

Schilling surgery

Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling will have the torn tendon sheath in his right ankle repaired in surgery Thursday. Doctors have told Schilling he will need six weeks of rest and six weeks of rehabilitation.

Record for Annika

Annika Sorenstam won the Mizuno Classic at Otsu, Japan, for the fourth consecutive year and clinched her seventh player of the year title. The streak of four wins matched an LPGA record for consecutive victories in the same event.