India's grand old marathon man Ashis Roy is nearing his goal of a century of runs as he finished his 97th race here in the largest marathon in the United States that does not offer prize money to the winners.

Down with bronchitis and an upset stomach, a less than fit Roy bravely carried on to finish the 26.2 mile run here Sunday in six hours and 41 minutes - about three minutes more than his previous slowest of 6 hours 37 minutes 49 seconds in the Niagara marathon last June.