World marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe will run the London Marathon on April 13 in a dress rehearsal for the Beijing Olympics.

Radcliffe has opted to return to the capital for her favourite race as a final outing over the distance before the Beijing Olympic Games.

"It's great to be running the Flora London Marathon again," said Radcliffe.

"I love running in front of my home crowd and I know that winning a fourth time will give me just the boost I need before the Olympic Games in August.

"The London field is always competitive, but that's what I need to be at my best in Beijing."

Radcliffe, determined to make amends for her shock performance at the Athens Olympics when she failed to finish, is currently warm-weather training in South Africa.

The 34-year-old Bedford star is expected to complete her preparations at Flagstaff in the United States.

London Marathon race director David Bedford was always confident he could entice Radcliffe back to join a field including World Marathon Majors champion Gete Wami.

Although the Ethiopian gained the inaugural WMM title, she was beaten in a thriller by Radcliffe as the Brit won her comeback marathon in New York last November.

Radcliffe showed in the 'Big Apple' that - despite having undergone injuries and the birth of her daughter Isla - she was back at her very best when claiming a hard fought victory.

Bedford said: "We are delighted to have Paula back in London and pleased that she has decided to race here again against such a strong field.

"No doubt all eyes will be on Paula as she goes for her fourth victory. But the women's race will be as tough as ever, and Gete will have something to prove after losing to Paula in New York."

Radcliffe first won the London Marathon in 2002, for a second time 12 months later when setting her world record of two hours 15minutes 25 seconds, and the again three years ago.

A fourth win would match the achievement of her mentor, Norwegian Ingrid Kristiansen.

Radcliffe also faces Wami's fellow Ethiopian Berhane Adere, who will be hoping to atone for a disappointing display last year when she was one of the favourites.

Also in the field are Romania's Constantina Tomescu-Dita, second to Radcliffe in 2005 and third last year, former Chicago Marathon champion Svetlana Zakharova of Russia and Australia's Benita Johnson, the Oceania record holder.

Kenyan hopes will rest with Salina Kosgei, who was fourth last year, while Germany's Irena Mikitenko, runner-up behind Wami in the Berlin Marathon, is also entered.

Sporting Life / Eurosport