Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong did much better in 2007 as he bettered his 2006 time in the New York City Marathon by over 10 minutes on Sunday. The 36 year-old former champion from the U.S recorded a time of two hours, 46 minutes and 43 seconds.

Last year, he ran the 26.2 miles event – his first marathon – in a time of 2:59′36″. “I think I came in better prepared,” said Armstrong according to Reuters. He competed for fourteen years as a pro cyclist, and picked up running again after retiring following his 2005 Tour victory.

“I feel better than I did last year leaving here. Last year it took me about four or five months to actually be able to run again because of my shins. Last year I had no idea what to expect with 26.2 miles (42.16 km), and I paid for it.”

“I’ll continue to run,” continued Armstrong, who ran in a yellow jersey. “For me running is the best type of workout right now because with a busy lifestyle and travel, all you need is a pair of running shoes and you can do it in any city in the world.”

Armstrong finished 698th out of 39,085 runners taking part. His marathon time bettered that of former cyclist Laurent Jalabert; the Frenchman ran the 2005 event in a time of 2:55′39″. However, other former professional cyclists have ran faster in other marathon events; German Rolf Aldag ran 2:42′57″ in Hamburg this April and Spaniard Abraham Olano went 2:39′ in the San Sebastián marathon last November.