The 35-year-old Brazilian (pictured above), who won in New York in 2006 and 2008, will be making his sixth appearance in the event.

He will join a men's field which already includes 2009 race champion Meb Keflezighi of the United States, 2010 champion Gebre Gebremariam from Ethiopia, Kenya's Olympic bronze medallist Wilson Kipsang, 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon winner Kenyan Moses Mosop and four-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman from the United States.

Meanwhile, the women's race has been strengthened with the addition of Japan's three-time Olympian Kayoko Fukishi, the 2011 runner-up Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia and national record holders Valeria Straneo of Italy and Brazil's Adriana Da Silva.

Previously announced female runners include the 2012 Olympic Marathon gold medalist Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia, Russia's bronze medallist Tatyana Arkhipova, defending champion Firehiwot Dado from Ethiopia, 2010 champion Kenyan Edna Kiplagat, 2012 Boston winner Sharon Cherop of Kenya, New Zealand Olympian Kim Smith, 2012 US Olympians Julie Culley, Amy Hastings and Janet Bawcom.

Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the women's marathon at the London 2012 Olympic Games

"We are honoured to attract such a dominant international [elite] field for the 2012 ING New York City Marathon," said Mary Wittenberg, President and chief executive of the New York Road Runners.

"Many of these runners grace us year-after-year, and we always welcome their boundless talent and ability to undoubtedly 'wow' us.

"Marílson Gomes dos Santos and Kayoko Fukishi are dedicated competitors that will surely challenge the men's and women's field.

"Likewise, we look forward to hosting Olympians Abderrahime Bouramdane and Scott Overall, and Buzunesh Deba will be a test to the women's contest after placing second last year – it is going to be a phenomenal race day."

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