Radcliffe triumphs again in New York
Eurosport - Mon, 03 Nov 15:05:00 2008
Britain's Paula Radcliffe won the New York Marathon, defending the crown she won last year to become only the second woman to win the race for a third time.
Radcliffe won in an unofficial time of 2hrs, 23mins 55secs with Russian Ludmila Petrova second in 2:25:43 and marathon debutante Kara Goucher third in 2:25:52, becoming the first American on the podium in the race in 14 years.
In cool and windy conditions for the 39th New York Marathon, Radcliffe led from start to finish to match her 2004 and 2007 triumph and join nine-time winner Grete Waitz as the only woman to capture the race more than twice.
Radcliffe, whose victory last year came 10 months after giving birth to her first child, suffered a stress fracture in her left leg this year that led to a disappointing 23rd-place finish at the Beijing Olympics.
Radcliffe, 34, jumped to the lead from the opening gun with US debutante Kara Goucher, trained by three-time New York winner Alberto Salzar, right behind her for the first two-thirds of the race.
Leading a pack of six at the half-way mark, Radcliffe knew that seven of the past nine women's winners at New York led at that mark.
Goucher, who ran in memory of a father killed by a drunk driver when she was only a child in New York, dropped off Radcliffe's pace in the 19th mile.
That left 2000 winner Ludmila Petrova of Russia, reigning Boston Marathon champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia and two-time Berlin champion Gete Wami of Ethiopia in a line behind Radcliffe.
In a 21st-mile bridge climb, Wami and Tune fell off the pace as well, leaving Radcliffe shadowed only by the 40-year-old Russian.
Radcliffe ran the 22nd mile in 5:12 and pulled away from the Russian to put herself clear as downtown Manhattan loomed before her after two hours, tugging the margin to a minute with a mile to run.
One year after outdueling Wami to the line, Radcliffe was alone to enjoy the cheers as she crossed the finish line, after which she hoisted her baby daughter and the British flag in celebration.
Two-time world champion Catherine Ndereba, a Kenyan who won her second Olympic silver medal at Beijing, fell back early, the two-time Chicago and four-time Boston winner unable to challenge for her first New York crown.
Australian Kurt Fearnley won his third consecutive men's wheelchair title and Swiss Edith Hunkeler captured her third women's wheelchair title in a row.
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Comment 22 - 41 of 61
BRILLIANT PAULA, YOU REALLY ARE A SUPER SPORTSWOMAN COMING BACK TO FULL STRENGTH AFTER WHAT MUST HAVE BEEN A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT IN BEIJING. THANKS TO YOU, YOUR HUSBAND AND FAMILY WE AGAIN HAVE SOMETHING IN GREAT BRITAIN TO CHEER US, TOU DESERVE ALL THE PRAISE YOU MUST SURELY RECEIVE AFTER THIS MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS.
So what if she is montivated for the prize money why else does anyone go to work? Please stop all you moaners. To become such a great runner you have to train train train. It takes dedication not only from her but the family too. So Mr radcliff well done for the support you show. Paula can feed her family and provide for her children.What more do we Brits want from our sports persons Did you see the UNion Jack. How many times do we see that these days
well done Paula you must be so proud after Beijing... Have any of you that wrote such Negative comments!!!! read her autobiograghy?? take the time ,its an inspiring read,the training,hardwork,determination,setbacks and more setbacks,dissapointments that go into that sport sound well i cant begin to imagine.... we should all be proud!!! well done Paula Fiona Harris London
anyone criticising saying she makes excuses if there is no money either has never been a sportsperson(athletes want to win all the time, its called pride, ambition and drive) or is a bitter exsportsperson who wasnt good enough to make the grade, i suspect it is mainly the latter as I dont see any of your names in the headlines. dont mock what you could never hope to achieve. Paula is an unbelievable athlete and came up the hard way overcoming her own personal problems on the way, well done Paula.
Amazing how she does better when there's a load of CASH on offer - when there's little or no CASH on offer this woman folds quicker than a soggy piece of paper. Clearly a Mercenary woman who is a disgrace to the Corinthian spirit.
If she cut down on all the money spinning races then perhaps just perhaps she would be fit for majoy championships, she was clearly unfit to go to China so why didn't give someone else a shot of being an olympian?, but good luck to her, I still think she is a great runner.
Absolutely fabulous Paula. I had faith in you all along........amazing!
Congratulations to Paula. This performance underlines the fact that she is the best female distance runner in the world by far,and very probably the best female athlete Britain has produced.
It's wicked to see her back on form! Nice one Paula keep going, I am rooting for you :)
well done paula
For all those with the negative comments I offer you all 1 million pounds to got out there and run 26 miles in under 2 hours 30 mins and you have the money. I bet you cannot , it doesnt matter how much money is on offer you still need to be EXTREMELY fit and have the talent to do it and i bet you cannot , she is a supreme athlete and even with a fractured leg can STILL come 23rd which you whingers are calling @#$% well lets see you do better. Well done Paula its good to see you back on form.
well done girl you are credit to british athletics.
Hope all the same big mouths are still around when everyone gets back and we are winning again. End your single life here: " k is s millionaire S Co m " it's never easier to add a bounch of romance to your achievement. You don't have to be rich or famous.
dont take any notice of them numptys you are a true great WELL DONE im sure your little girl will be proud of you as most of the nation is when she realise what an achievement you have achieved in your career
In my opinion the greatest British athlete of all time!!
Good on you girl!!
To all those who doubted a great athlete, i hope you choke on her success. She is a fantastic and determined athlete, and has been unfortunate enough to have sustained sickness and injury at the wrong times. She is a great ambassador for athletics and sport in general, and deserves to benefit financialy. As a truly great Briton, she has been heartbroken at her olympic performances and still holds true to her ambitions of olympic gold for GB as well as for herself. 'IF YOU CAN'T GIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM THEN KEEP QUIET.' None of you will ever know the dedication and self denial of a true athlete unless you actualy are one, or close to one. All the best Paula.
Good on you Paula you are a true Hero. Run when and where you want and when you feel fit to do so. You are a winner and a great Lady that is all that matters at this moment in time good luck to you Paula..
took me a mere novice to run the same marathon 5 hours, that tells you how fast these athletes are, I for one take my hat off to you. all the best kim bakewell wirral
Good on you Paula you are a true Hero. Run when and where you want and when you feel fit to do so. You are a winner and a great Lady that is all that matters at this moment in time good luck to you Paula..
Good on you Paula you are a true Hero. Run when and where you want and when you feel fit to do so. You are a winner and a great Lady that is all that matters at this moment in time good luck to you Paula..
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