(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-06 19:42

NEW YORK - Gete Wami collected her $500,000 prize as winner of the World Marathon Majors women's title on Monday but the Ethiopian was still dissatisfied with her second place in the New York City Marathon at the weekend.

Wami, competing 35 days after winning in Berlin, lost her race-long duel with Paula Radcliffe over the last few hundred metres on Sunday although she did enough to clinch the big payday with the most points from major marathons over a two-year period.

"It was such a tough race, it was a bit harder than normal," Wami told Reuters through an interpreter. "I would normally have more preparation time and recovery time.

"It was only five weeks after Berlin. If not, the result would have been different," said Wami, who finished 23 seconds behind Briton Radcliffe.

The diminutive Wami foiled twice New York champion Jelena Prokopcuka's bid to win the majors crown with her gutsy run.

Had Wami not competed, Latvia's Prokopcuka could have taken the jackpot with her third-place finish.

"I ran not only to beat Jelena but I ran to win the race," Wami said. "I beat Jelena, but came in second."

Asked about her winnings, Wami, 32, said: "Initially I plan to help my family. From there on I hope to help orphans, educate them and see them to a better future."

Kenya's Robert Cheruiyot took the men's prize in the inaugural marathon majors competition which included the races in Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and the world championship in Osaka.

Cheruiyot ruled with two Boston victories and the 2006 Chicago title along with fourth place in the city this year. Wami swept both Berlin races and was runner-up this year in London.

"I was not expecting something like this in my life," Cheruiyot said. "This is a surprise."

The slender, soft-spoken athlete, who overcame an impoverished childhood in Kenya, said being a celebrity back home was also a surprise. "Athletics in Kenya is like soccer in Brazil," he said.

Marathoners carry over their 2007 points from the majors and add their 2008 results, including the Beijing Olympics, to determine next year's jackpot winner.