NEW YORK, July 19 - Twice defending champion Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia and 2006 men's winner Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil will both return to defend their New York City Marathon titles, organisers said on Thursday.

The race will be run on Sunday, November 4.

Gomes, 29, was a surprise victor over a top-class field that included world record holder and defending champion Paul Tergat, Olympic gold medallist Stefano Baldini, 2004 winner Hendrick Ramaala.

The Brazilian won with a time of two hours, nine minutes, 58 seconds.

Prokopcuka, 30, won her second consecutive NYC Marathon by clocking two hours, 25 minutes, five seconds to beat a strong field that included American record holder Deena Kastor and Kenyans Rita Jeptoo, Catherine Ndereba, and Susan Chepkemei.

The Latvian will be bidding to become the first person to win three successive titles since Grete Waitz in 1986.