Kenya continued to exert its awesome power in road racing Sunday when John Kagwe easily captured the New York City Marathon in near-record time. The victory was a natural progression for the 28-year-old Kenyan, who finished fifth in New York in 1995 and fourth last year.

"I think it's great," said Kagwe, who wore sunglasses despite foggy, overcast and wet conditions for the entire 26.2 miles. "I've been waiting and hoping and praying. This is a dream come true for me."

Another Kenyan, Joseph Chebet, winner of his three previous marathons, finished second in 2:09:27, four seconds ahead of Stefano Baldini of Italy.

Abdelkader Mouaziz of Morocco finished fourth ahead of two-time champion German Silva of Mexico who collapsed after crossing the finish line in fifth place.

Kagwe, running virtually alone in the rain for the final two miles (3.2 km) in Central Park, posted an official time of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 12 seconds, 11 seconds off the course record set by Juma Ikangaa of Tanzania in 1983.

The victory was worth $50,000 for Kagwe, but he lost another $50,000 bonus when he failed to lower the course mark.

"I didn't come here prepared for a course record," he said. "I came here prepared to win. If I tried to sprint, I might have killed myself, so I stayed with my pace."

It was the third marathon win for Kagwe, who won in Pittsburgh in 1995 and in Prague this year.

There was a major surprise in the women's division as Franziska Rochat-Moser of Switzerland won with a time of 2:28:43.

Colleen de Reuck of South Africa, a two-time Olympian, was second, 28 seconds behind, and Franca Fiacconi of Italy took third.