Through five boroughs and across five bridges, the New York City Marathon showcases all that one of the world's great cities has to offer.

Anyone who has undertaken the physical challenge of running a 26.2-mile course will know what a test of body and mind it is.

But running a marathon through New York must surely also rank among the great experiences in the life of any athlete - amateur or professional.

Just ask Paula Radcliffe, who has won the race in each of the three years in which she has taken part: 2004, 2007 and, after last weekend, 2008.

Would she give up her trio of victories for Olympic glory? Possibly, yes, but being crowned queen of New York City three times bestows on her an equally legendary status.

For the rest, the marathon gave us, the lucky 38,000, the chance to take part in an event in which the city, it's people and the runners co-exist in a wonderful, if fleeting, symbiosis.

All three entities benefit from the energy exuded by the other and the essences of New York - its exuberance, its extravagance, its exhibitionism and its love of an occasion - permeate through the whole event.

The race itself starts way south of the city, on the edge of Staten Island and at the end of the two miles-long Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

As runners take their first of around 80,000 strides, the Upper New York bay stretches away to one side, with the Statue of Liberty a turquoise green spire dwarfed by the giant skyscrapers of Manhattan's downtown financial district.

After the bridge comes vibrant Brooklyn and at times it seemed like most of its two million residents had made the effort to come out and join the part as the river of runners meandered through the borough.

The four-mile straight of the borough's Fourth Avenue was lined with spectators of every imaginable ethnicity.

Can a marathon ever be enjoyable? Well, it was hard not to smile as kids stuck out hands for high fives, gung-ho Americans whooped and cheered "Great job!", all with a soundtrack provided by gospel choirs, guitar bands and hip-hop groups.

Later, there were one or two quiet points, notably before mile 16 on the Queensboro Bridge between Queens (district three) and Manhattan itself.

But then, as we hit First Avenue, the tumult went into overdrive.

I ran the London Marathon last year and, while it was an amazing experience in itself I'd compare it to the New York City Marathon by contrasting a Test Match at Lord's with a baseball game at the Yankee Stadium.

London's an austere, slightly overbearing city shot through with British reserve and at times I found the marathon support there little overwhelming.

In New York, however, it felt more like a celebration of humanity, a carnival of the spirit and a proud welcome from a people who appreciated the sacrifice we had all made to be there.

First Avenue lasted four more epic miles, then there was a mile-long loop through the Bronx, all gangster rap and attitude, before the two miles down Fifth Avenue, with the stunning Empire State Building inspiring tired legs and flagging minds.

To finish, we faced three miles through Central Park, a green lung in a forest of skyscrapers, before the end of an unforgettable experience.

I ran 3hrs 16mins, smashing my personal best by 21 minutes and raising more than £600 for Bristol charity Penny Brohn Cancer Care in the process.

I'm in no doubt that the vitality and positivity of New York City played a massive part what I achieved and I will remember it for ever.