The Prince of Asturias Award for Sport has been won by the New York Marathon. There were 22 nominations from 13 different countries the penultimate of the eight annual awards from which the jury of twenty had to choose.

It said how the annual event which started in 1970 symbolised coexistence between amateur and professional sport at its best.

It is the first time for over ten years that an event has scooped the honour.

The race is run over 42.1 kilometres and attracts thousands of amateurs and professionals on to the streets of the Big Apple.

Last year 50,000 runners completed the marathon, a record for any such event anywhere in the world.

Despite the sheer numbers the race has always been an exercise in community spirit which was especially true back in November 2001 less than two months after the September 11 terrorist attacks.