Posted: October 27, 2004

Athletics: Radcliffe To Run New York Marathon

By Bob Ramsak, Track Profile

(c) 2004 Track Profile all rights reserved TrackProfile.com

Confirming reports published this morning, marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe will compete in the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 7, organizers announced today.

The 30-year-old Briton's surprise announcement comes just two months after she dropped out of both the marathon and the 10,000 meters at August's Olympic Games in Athens. The heavy favorite, Radcliffe dropped out after 36 kilometers. In the 10,000, she ended her effort after 16 laps.

"I'm really looking forward to coming to race in New York," said Radcliffe. "I've enjoyed running there before because of the great atmosphere and the warm welcome I've received. "After the disappointment in Athens, it's important to me to get back to enjoying racing. That's why I want to come to New York."

Radcliffe has won each of the three marathons she's finished --London (2002, 2003) and Chicago (2002)-- producing world record efforts at both Chicago (2:17:18) and London (2:15:25). A three-time World Half-Marathon champion and two-time World Cross Country champion, she is also the world record holder in the 10-K on the road (30:21), and the European record holder at 10,000 meters (30:01.09) on the track. In 2002, she was selected as the IAAF's Female Athlete of the Year.

Among the most popular women in Great Britain prior to the Olympics, Radcliffe came under heavy criticism after failing to finish both events. In mid-September she told The Daily Telegraph that she couldn't overcome nagging injuries leading up to her Olympic appearance, and the stress brought on from the injuries eventually took their toll as well. "The night of the marathon was the worst of my life," she told The Daily Telegraph. "My body hurt all over but my heart was totally broken." She added that she had no regrets about attempting to come back just five days later in the 10,000. "At least I won't always be wondering if I could have raced it."

Radcliffe joins an already outstanding women's field in New York that includes 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor, defending champion and course record-holder Margaret Okayo, last year's third-place finisher Lornah Kiplagat, and reigning World Cross Country Benita Johnson of Australia, who will be making her debut at the distance.

"Paula's entry has made a truly great ING New York City Marathon field even better," said race director and New York Road Runners president and CEO Allan Steinfeld. "Paula has a record of fine performances here in New York, and we anticipate her ING New York City Marathon debut will be no exception."

In 2001, she broke Grete Waitz's 21-year-old course record at the New York Mini 10K with a finishing time of 30:47. She was the 1996 and 1997 champion of the famed Fifth Avenue Mile.

BBC ONE will broadcast the race live.