Russia's Lyubov Denisova bought a home in Gainesville, Fla., last week. The place is going to be well-furnished after her record-breaking and lucrative performance in yesterday's Honolulu Marathon.

Denisova won the women's race in a record-setting time of 2 hours, 27 minutes, 19 seconds — breaking the previous record by 14 seconds.

The victory was worth $67,000 — $40,000 for being the top female finisher, $17,000 for time incentives and $10,000 for setting the record.

"She just bought a house in Gainesville, Florida, on December 7," agent Andrey Baranov said. "Just before coming here, she signed a contract and bought a house. She needs to buy furniture now. She has all this money probably to renovate the house or just put in furniture."

Denisova, 35, was by herself the final 10 miles and the only question was whether she'd break the record of 2:27:33 set by Russia's Lyubov Morgunova in 2004.

"The only thought was about the record. Each mile I was checking the time," Denisova said through Baranov.

It was Denisova's first Honolulu Marathon although she served as the pacesetter in 2002.

"She expected a little bit more humidity and hotter weather, which we trained for, but for her the weather was perfect," Baranov said.

Alevtina Biktimirova of Russia was second in 2:29:42, and Japan's Eri Hayakawa was third in 2:32:31.

Defending champion Olesya Nurgalieva of Russia was fourth in 2:36:02. Her twin sister Elena finished sixth in 2:41:15.

"Lyubov is a tough competitor; usually she has much better times than we do. She has 2:25 (2004 New York City) for her record," Olesya said through interpreter Mikalai Litvin said. "She sets an example for us."

Women from former Soviet republics have won 10 of the last 11 years.

The statistic is a bit surprising, considering Denisova said: "In Russia when you are running or jogging people are looking at you like you're abnormal."

Denisova reached the five-mile mark at 27:52 and had a 50-meter lead over Biktimirova.

In the ninth mile, a downhill stretch near Diamond Head, Deni-sova and Biktimirova were even and with a pack of three male competitors.

Both reached the halfway point (13.2 miles) at 1:13:32.

Denisova, who ran at a 5:37.2 pace, pulled ahead in the 15th mile and was soon running by herself, which is something she has no trouble with.

"Most of the time she is training by herself," Baranov said. "She has developed the mentality of training by herself, rely only on herself."

Denisova had plenty left as she finished the final 2.2 miles — an uphill stretch — in 12:34.

By the time she crossed the finish line, Baranov said: "She doesn't even know who came in second."

It was smooth sailing for Denisova, for the most part.

"In the road you have a lot of holes," Baranov said. "When running she stepped in them a couple of times."

Denisova and her agent entered the race with two goals. One was accomplished.

"I'm happy because she is first, but at the same time we were hoping for around 2:26, break 2:27, that was our goal," Baranov said. "The first goal was to win the race and the second goal was to break 2:27. We achieved the first one, win the race, but she didn't break 2:27. I guess we'll have to come back next year and do this again."

Denisova, who is originally from Moscow, was listed on the results sheet as being from New York. She wanted to live there, according to Baranov, but it was too noisy and expensive.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.