Britain's Paula Radcliffe will test the progress of her marathon training by competing in the BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth, England, on October 26, organizers Nova International announced today.
"It is excellent news Paula's first appearance since the Olympics will be on British soil," commented David Hart, the communications director of the ten mile race where the fastest-ever women's time was 51:00 set by Irishwoman Sonia O'Sullivan in 2002.
Although widely regarded as one of the world's best-ever road runners, Radcliffe has not contested a ten mile race during her professional career. As a teenager in 1990 she recalled running a U.K. championship race over the distance and "squeezed under the hour," she said. However, when she ran her career best over the half-marathon distance in the BUPA Great North Run in 2002, she passed the ten mile mark in an unofficial 50:01, according to records kept by BBC statistician Mark Butler, one of the fastest ten mile times ever recorded by a woman.
"I don't know much about the course but I have heard it is fast and given that it is in the U.K. and part of Nova races, I'm sure the organisation and atmosphere will be great," said Radcliffe through a prepared statement.
Jo Pavey, fresh off of her personal best 1:08:53 half-marathon personal best in Newcastle last Sunday, will be Radcliffe's main rival, organizers said. "Yes, I heard Jo was racing which is great," said Radcliffe. "She really ran well last weekend and will make it a tough test. It was great to see her take Wami right to the wire and she looked really strong."
The Great South Run will be Radcliffe's only competition before defending her title at the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 2., a race she has already won twice.
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