4 November 2007

Britain’s Paula Radcliffe (Bedford & County) won the New York marathon today beating Gete Wami of Ethiopia in a thrilling sprint finish.

World record holder Radcliffe beat off the challenge of Wami to win in 2hrs 23min 9sec, well inside the Olympic qualification time she was looking for.

Afterwards Radcliffe said:

"It was tough at the end, it was weird, my legs got tired and when she came alongside me I thought ‘this is not happening to me again’.

"I’ve had years and years of her outsprinting me on the track and I thought she’s not going to do it in a marathon".

Shelly Woods made it a successful day for the Brits by finishing second in the wheelchair race in 1.54.19. First place went to Edith Hunkeler of Switzerland in a course record of 1.52.38.

Meanwhile, at the English Cross Country relays at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield on Saturday, Belgrave Harriers and Havering Mayesbrook were the winning teams in the senior races.

Belgrave (1.00.04) beat Leeds City (1.00.22) into second with Bedford & Country (1.00.29) taking bronze medals in a close finish which saw only 10 seconds separate 2nd to 5th position.

Frank Tickner (Wells City) was fastest with a 14.25 stage ahead of Mike Skinner (Blackheath & Bromley) and Dave Webb (Leeds) with 14.33 and 14.39.

In the women’s race, Havering Mayesbrook (29.38) were 40 seconds clear of silver medallists Charnwood AC (30.18), with Aldershot Farnham and District taking bronze in 30.24.

Faye Fullerton (Havering Mayesbrook) took the fastest stage in 9.44, with Charlene Thomas (Wakefield Harriers) in 9.46 for silver and Katrina Wootton (Bedford and County) taking bronze in 9.47.

For full results please visit the English Cross Country Association website