Paula Radcliffe on her way to victory at the Great South Run in 2008 (© Getty Images)
World marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, who ran 1:09:45, for the half distance just two seconds off the course record in New York on 16 August, has been named in the British line-up for the IAAF / EDF Energy World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham, UK on Sunday 11 October.
UKA has today named full teams - five men and five women - with the standout inclusion being Radcliffe, 35, who won the World Half Marathon title in Veracruz (MEX) in 2000, Bristol (GBR) in 2001 and Vilamoura (POR) in 2003.
Radcliffe has a personal best for the half marathon distance of 1:06:47 from when winning the 2001 World title but has a much quicker career time of 1:05:40 on a slightly downhill course (Newcastle – South Shields; 30.5m) thanks to her victory at the Great North Run on 21 September 2003.
Note. The World record on a ratified course is 66:25 which the Netherlands’ Lornah Kiplagat (currently injured) set when winning the 2007 World Half Marathon in Udine, Italy.
UK trials winner Claire Hallissey (Bristol & West), who reduced her lifetime best by a minute (1:12.03) with victory at the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 6 September is the other standout name in the British team’s line-up for Birmingham.
Ian Stewart, Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland Team Leader, said: “This is a great chance to support a home Championship with full teams, and I’m delighted that in Birmingham on October 11th that will be the case. It’s a new course, in a city of people who will really get behind our athletes. Not only are they in a position to show what they can do in front of that home crowd, but they have a genuine opportunity to fight for decent team positions. We’re pleased to have Paula on the team and optimistic that we can win medals.”
GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM
MEN
Andi Jones (Salford Harriers); Andrew Lemoncello (Fife AC); Mark Miles (Belgrave); Gareth Raven (Sale Harriers Manchester); Phil Wicks (Belgrave)
WOMEN
Alyson Dixon (Chester-le-Street); Claire Hallissey (Bristol & West); Gemma Miles (Kendal); Paula Radcliffe (Bedford & County); Rebecca Robinson (Kendal)
