Jay Donawa smashed his marathon personal best on the way to a top 50 finish in yesterday's New York Marathon.

The road runner (right) ran two hours, 30 minutes and 44 seconds as he competed in the world famous event for the fourth consecutive year.

Donawa easily eclipsed his marathon best, which he set on his New York debut in 2007, running a full nine minutes faster for the 26.2 miles.

He was the fastest Bermuda runner, finishing 47th overall in a race that had more than 40,000 entrants.

The former World Cross Country Championship athlete was also the Island's top finisher last year, when he came home 186th in 2.42.37.

In 2008 he was forced to retire at the 22-mile point with an injury.

Yesterday's marathon was won by Gebre Gebrmariam, of Ethiopia, in 2.08.14.