MICHELLE Ross-Cope says she will come back stronger after revealing she was disappointed to only finish 16th in the women's race at Sunday's New York Marathon.

The 37-year-old, from Waterhayes, was competing over the distance for only the second time, having run the London Marathon in April.

But, despite battling strong winds over the city course, Ross-Cope felt she should have done better than completing the course in 2hrs 49mins, 16 minutes outside her London time.

She said: "The plan was to go easy and then build on the start, but the group I found myself in was just me on my own.

"I got cramp in my legs after 18 miles and that was difficult, but the crowds were brilliant.

"The conditions were windy and everyone's times were down, but it was still a great experience to compete in New York.

"You can't just have a bad race and then give up, you have to come back stronger."

The marathon completed a mixed spell for Ross-Cope, who excelled in the World Half-Marathon Championships held in Birmingham three weeks ago.

She finished as the second British runner home in a time of 1:13.50, just over a minute outside her personal best.

Ross-Cope is now deciding whether to have a second crack at the London Marathon next April, or instead enter the Seville Marathon in Spain.

The latter is in February, so would allow her more time to prepare for 10km and half-marathon races next summer.

MICHAEL BAGGALEY