Posted: October 28, 2004

Athletics: World Record-Holder Paula Radcliffe to Run ING New York City Marathon 2004

NEW YORK - (October 26, 2004) - Paula Radcliffe, the fastest female marathoner of all-time, announced on Tuesday that she will run the ING New York City Marathon 2004 on Sunday, November 7.

Radcliffe joins an already outstanding women's field that includes 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor, defending ING New York City Marathon champion and course record-holder Margaret Okayo, last year's third-place finisher Lornah Kiplagat and reigning World Cross Country 8K champion Benita Johnson.

"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."

"I'm really looking forward to coming to race in New York. I've enjoyed running there before because of the great atmosphere and the warm welcome I've received," said Radcliffe. "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."

The ING New York City Marathon will be Radcliffe's first competition since a disappointing Olympic Games in Athens. Entering as the favorite in the marathon, Radcliffe withdrew near the 23 mile mile mark. Five days later, she dropped out of the 10,000 meters, in which she had placed fourth in Sydney in 2000.

Radcliffe, 30, of Loughborough, England, has had great success in New York. 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.

Radcliffe holds world records in the marathon (2:15:25) and 10K (30:21), and is the European 10,000 meter record-holder (30:01.09). She won the World Championships Half-Marathon in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and the World Cross Country Championship 8K in 2001. In 2002, she won the European Championships 10,000 meters and the Commonwealth Games 5000 meters. She is a two-time champion of the London Marathon, winning in 2002 and 2003, and was the 2002 Chicago Marathon winner.

About the ING New York City Marathon
The ING New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road Runners (NYRR). Inaugurated in 1970 with 127 entrants, the ING New York City Marathon has grown into the world's premier road race, featuring more than 30,000 participants, more than two million spectators, a leading professional field and a guaranteed prize purse of more than $500,000. Broadcast across the nation and in 125 countries worldwide, the 26.2-mile footrace is the United States' most watched one-day sporting event. The ING New York City Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, joins the USA Men's 8K Championships and the Circle of Friends New York Mini 10K as the cornerstones of the NYRR Professional Racing Series and continues NYRR's tradition of bringing the very best runners in the world to New York City. For more information visit www.ingnycmarathon.org.

About New York Road Runners
Founded in 1958 with a membership of 47, New York Road Runners (NYRR) is one of the world's foremost running organizations. NYRR is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of running and walking for health, recreation and competition, and provides full professional services related to all aspects of racing. The organization has a full-time staff of more than 60 employees, supplemented by a network of thousands of volunteers, serving 40,000 members from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.