An agonising final few metres for second-placed Woods

The 20-year-old from Blackpool finished two seconds behind America's Amanda McGrory in a dramatic late sprint.

"My aim was to do better than last year, so I'm pleased," said Woods, after her third-placed debut in 2005.

Kenny Herriot was Britain's highest placed finisher in 16th place in the men's wheelchair race won by Australian Kurt Fearnley.

Woods added: "It was a pretty tough race and it was a bit too close for comfort at the end. It was an incredibly close finish."

Her time of 1 hour 54 mins 19 seconds was more than two-and-a-half minutes faster than in last year's New York City Marathon.