Paula Radcliffe runs Tokyo Marathon aged 51 to make return after 10 years

Paula Radcliffe runs Tokyo Marathon aged 51 to make return after 10 years

Paula Radcliffe, the former world record holder in the marathon, made her comeback to competitive racing after a decade by participating in the Tokyo Marathon. At the age of 51, Radcliffe completed the race in two hours, 57 minutes, and 26 seconds. This marked her return to the sport after retiring in 2015 following the London Marathon.

During her prime, Radcliffe held the world record for 16 years, setting a time of 2:15:25 in 2003. Although her record was eventually broken by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei in 2019, Radcliffe’s achievement remained impressive. In the Tokyo Marathon, Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede emerged as the winner with a time of 2:16:31, proving Radcliffe’s former record was still faster.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele claimed victory with a time of 2:03:23, securing his first major marathon title. Radcliffe plans to continue her marathon journey by participating in the Boston Marathon next month as part of her goal to complete all six major marathons, which include Berlin, Chicago, and New York in addition to London, Boston, and Tokyo.

Reflecting on her return to competitive racing, Radcliffe expressed her motivation to achieve her goals and conquer the marathon majors. She highlighted how the addition of Tokyo as a major marathon and the scheduling of the Boston Marathon close to London had previously prevented her from participating in these events. Now, she is determined to tick off all six majors and make her mark once again in the world of marathons

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