Nov.6 (GMM) Heikki Kovalainen on Sunday achieved his goal as he ran in the famous New York marathon for the first time.

The formula one rookie, who is reportedly among the contenders for Fernando Alonso's newly vacant McLaren seat in 2008, earlier stated that he primarily wanted to beat fellow grand prix racer Jarno Trulli's time of just over four hours.

Kovalainen, who is 26, completed the 42km course in 3 hours, 36 minutes and 56 seconds; nearly an hour and a half behind the winner but nearly 25 minutes quicker than Trulli had managed in 2000.

He placed 592nd in his age group, 4,571st of the male competitors, and 5,370th overall, behind GP2 driver Lucas di Grassi (3:34.18) but in front of Kovalainen's trainer Gabriele Polcari (3:55.02).

Former formula one and Champ Car driver Alex Zanardi, meanwhile, who lost his legs in a crash in 2001, finished fourth in the hand-cycle category with a time of 1:33.17.

"I've been in better shape, but I'm not demolished," the 41-year-old Italian smiled to the New York Times.