"I don't know why," the 30-year-old Latvian said. "I'm very happy. I wanted to do it and I did it."

American Deena Kastor, the 2006 London Marathon winner and 2005 Chicago champion, was never a factor, fading from a second pack of runners at the 20-mile mark and finishing sixth.

"My plan was to run with the pack for the first half but it was too slow," said Prokopcuka, who worked hard to improve her speed this year, setting national records in the 3,000 metres, 10,000 and over 10 miles and 10 K on the road.

"Before the halfway mark, I was surprised because the pace wasn't fast. But I was happy they didn't come.

"It was a sweet victory."

The run was satisfying, but difficult, for seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong who reached his goal of breaking three hours by timing 2:59:39 in his first marathon.

"That was the hardest physical thing I've ever done," said the 35-year-old, noticeably limping.

The marathon winners each took away a $130,000 top prize.

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