02 July 2024
| THE HEARTBEAT OF WOMEN'S SPORT
Home   >   News   >   Athletics: Radcliffe on track for the World Championships

Athletics: Radcliffe on track for the World Championships

August 17, 2024

Paula Radcliffe, 35, won the New York City half-marathon this Sunday, helping her return to the world of athletics. After ten months of recovery Radcliffe comfortably won the 13.1 mile race, finishing just four minutes slower than her personal best and the world record.

However, breaking the record was not her main objective during this race; Radcliffe was using the half-marathon as a fitness test to decide whether she would be able to compete at the IAAF World Championships which are currently taking place in Berlin.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Read related reports:

Athletics: Paula to test fitness in NY half marathon

Athletics: Radcliffe struggles to regain form

Athletics: Radcliffe selected for World Championships

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Radcliffe is currently entered as part of Great Britain’s team at the championships and is now the only female contender for the marathon event. Her teammate, British number two Mara Yamauchi dropped out of the event in June citing a foot injury. Radcliffe pulled out of the 2009 London Marathon in order to recover from a bunion surgery and then a broken toe. She had not competed since her successful New York Marathon 2008 race.

With a result of 1hr, 9min and 45sec Radcliffe said “I normally want to run as hard as I can, but today was more about blowing away the cobwebs so it was not the fastest time I have ever run. It’s hard to get into a race knowing you are deliberately conserving something for next week.” For the first seven miles Radcliffe raced alongside Ethiopia’s Mimtu Daska and Kenyan Catherine Ndereba before pulling away when finishing the Central Park leg of the race and maintaining a healthy lead for the rest of the run.

This was her first half-marathon in America and the positive result can only help her progress in returning to the world stage. With just under a week to rest and decide if she can compete on the 23rd August, the pressure is on.

Yet Radcliffe remains optimistic, declaring that, “it is definitely more likely than it was this time last week.” However with problems of a blocked vein and sinusitis it is still unsure if she will compete in Berlin. She needs to be on top form to compete with the world’s best, which include Germany’s Irina Mikitenko, Japan’s Yoko Shibui and Dire Tune from Ethiopia.

Imogen Jacobs, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Select a sport

Find out how to get started, training plans and expert advice.