Radcliffe comes second in Great North Run
Radcliffe had to settle for second on her competitive return
Also In The News
|
Babyshambles' new album will not feature Kate Moss on its cover after all, a report claims. |  |
Sunday, 30, Sep 2007 12:32
Paula Radcliffe came second in her first competitive outing in 21 months in the Great North Run, finishing behind American Kara Goucher.
The marathon world record holder was able to stay with Goucher over the first six miles before the American upped the tempo and broke free of the 33-year-old.
Goucher completed the 13.1-mile course in 66mins 57secs, the fastest time in the world this year and the eighth fastest time ever set.
A 10km track runner competing in her first ever half-marathon, Goucher admitted was shocked to have achieved a victory over Radcliffe.
She said: "My focus all year has been Osaka and it wasn't until after that that this was even an option.
"I'd never run anything longer than 10k so I just wanted to stick with the leaders for as long as possible."
In the men's race London marathon winner Martin Lel fought off tough competition from fellow Kenyan Sammy Wanjiru to win by eight seconds.
The pair were locked together going down South Shields seafront but Lel had the extra energy to win the sprint to the line.
Three-time winner of the event Hendrick Ramala of South Africa came third as the Kenyans pulled away from him at the halfway stage.
Elsewhere, Ethiopian distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie broke the marathon world record in Berlin in a time of 2hrs 4mins 26 secs.
Gebrselassie said achieving the feat was "a dream come true".