DAVE Nunn might have finished more than two hours after Paula Radcliffe in the New York Marathon – but there was no doubt which of the two of them will have come home with the best memories.

For fourth-placed Radcliffe, injured and disappointed, it was a first defeat in a big-city marathon – but for Shelton Strider Nunn, it was an experience to treasure.

"It was fantastic. I had the tme of my life," said Nunn.

"I ran a very slow time – four hours 40 minutes – but it was a PB in every other sense.

"The route was awesome, interesting, quite tough and hilly but the support was breathtaking.

"New Yorkers are so friendly. Twice, when I asked people to take my photo, they insisted on taking photos of me on their cameras as well.

"They took my e-mail and the photos were waiting for me when I got home."

● DERBY AC's men came a strong fifth in the English Cross Country Relay Championships in Mansfield.

Luke Gunn ran the fastest five kilometre leg, in 15.18.85, two seconds quicker than Jon Gilby's opening leg, then David Westbury lifted Derby to an improbable second after three of the four legs, before Rich Weir's finishing stint.

Derby's under-17 trio of Ben Connor, Niall Maguire and Josh Bull finished eighth in their 3x3km race, Maguire's last leg speed lifting them from 14th on the first two legs.