Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain became the second woman to win the New York City marathon three times, posting an unofficial time of 2:23:55 in Sunday's city-wide event.

Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil won the men's race with an unofficial time of 2:08:43.

More than 40,000 runners worked their way through the 26.2-mile course that wends its way through the five boroughs.

The race, now in its 39th year, got underway at 9 a.m. on the Staten Island side of the Verrazano Bridge and finishes in Manhattan's Central Park.

A new feature this year was staggered start times, with groups of runners beginning at different times to ease congestion.

Top finishers on the man's and women's side take home $130,000 in prize money.

There are a number of street and bridge closures because of the race.

For a route map and full list of closures, visit www.nycmarathon.org.

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Among those participating in Sunday's race is a man who is raising money to help a group of workers who put their lives on the line. NY1's Taunia Hottman filed the following profile.

Among the tens of thousands of runners participating in this year's marathon is Father Brian Jordan. He's not a world class runner and he's not doing it to meet a personal goal.

Jordan says as he completes his 20th marathon, it will be for a cause greater than himself.

"This year in particular, this is the largest amount of workers dying on the job since 9/11," said Jordan. "So that's why I'm dedicating this year's marathon to these fine men."

Jordan is a priest who was a spiritual advisor to crews at the World Trade Center site. He was particularly affected by two crane accidents that killed eight workers last spring.

He decided to run to honor all 21 city construction workers who have died this year and to launch a foundation to help those who are left behind.

"Construction workers work by the hour. Even though they're members of the unions, there's no widow and children's benefit fund for them. So myself and a bunch of labor leaders began to discuss this," said Jordan. "As of Monday, we are beginning a construction worker's relief fund."

The Building Trades and Construction Council will oversee the fund. Jordan says anyone can donate money towards the cause.

Jordan hopes to cross the finish line in about five hours, wearing his race-day outfit that advertises his cause: "Brian 4 Labor."

He says that's the motivation behind his every step.