Each of us have our own idea of what is the greatest and for me like many more that was the best women's marathon I've ever witnessed in terms of competitiveness.
I think it's a man thing not to shed tears Bryan!:o)
I had a couple of tears in the eyes because it was the epitome of sport - someone coming back from the depths of despair to triumph and two competitors digging to the depths over 26 miles but giving each other mutual respect at the end.
I'd say this was a better race than the Olympic race, regardless of who was involved. Not decided till the last 50 yards, the last couple of miles with the protagonists shooting it out and giving their all. Had Kostar won in Athens then that would have been more of a barnstorming finish but she didn't, so it isn't.
It may not be a man thing to do to shed a tear - but I was bouncing off the ceiling -
FANTASTIC - SUPERB - BRILLIANT - AMAZING
I am so flippin pleased for the girl - the only sad part is listening to the armchair critics (typically Britsh) who still CANNOT appreciate true athletic talent. Sad sad people.
And they said she couldn't sprint! My son kept saying SC was going to outkick her in the final metres, I said no you watch she won't allow it, but I was holding my breath as it was only the last half a mile that SC showed pain on her face!
I thought she's got SC with about a mile to go, then she came back, but I had the feeling that last charge was enough - suddenly SC looked in trouble, after having tried to burn Paula off several times. Fabulous gutsy effort )
..followed it on my WAP phone then phoned a friend and got them to put the phone next to the telly for last mile...brilliant stuff...think everyone at LEGOLAND thought I was mad!!
Absolutely fantastic!!I hope those who called her a quitter (after Athens)have changed their minds.The article in the Times is an extract of her new book and is VERY worthwhile reading.I enjoyed reading about her and relationship with Gary(husband).She is very happy with him and it was HER who did the 'chasing' as boyfriend and her that proposed! DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT ADDRESS TO WRITE TO HER....as I don't suppose 'Paula Radcliffe the best most inspiring athlete ever'would get to her!!!???? Anyone Know what watch she wears?I think in the past it was a POLAR one.I didn't see a footpod though for the latest speed/distance/HRM model(tho' the Crammy/foster said it looked a 'complicated'watch.
Bambino, totally agree with your comments, Paula is a great athlete and an inspiration too!! I think that Paula now wears the nike triax C8. Have seen her adverstising it. Great race from P, good to see her smiling again!
I bet she was told to keep it close for a dramatic finish. If she'd just swanned off and beat the field by mile 20 people (media etc) would have said "Why didn't she do that at Athens?". This way they (media etc) should concentrate on the nail biting finish.
Re - what was said about Kiplagat, she actually said:
'Kiplagat, the Kenyan-born runner who represents Holland, beat Radcliffe in the World's Greatest 10km, in Puerto Rico in February. She said: "I have nothing against Paula but the idea that you are coming into this race with two weeks to go is a bit selfish. When you sign up for a race, you usually know who is running. You decide your tactics and then adapt your training. To change tactics with only a couple of weeks left to the race is not possible.
"Paula is not a beginner. She would not come here if she was not ready."
Kiplagat, 30, who finished fifth in the 10,000m in Athens, added: "If Paula was preparing to break a world record in England and I turned up, she would be shocked too."
Langerhorst, who helps his wife run their high altitude training centre for young female athletes in Kenya, said: "This is a different course to anything Paula has faced before. New York was always a tactical race. You could take it easy for 16 miles before the racing really started.
"With Paula in the field, it could be a different ball game but this will be a race, not a time trial."'
Maybe the other athletes were a bit upset about Paula turning on short notice. There is always a lot of money involved and athletes sign up for events where they have a chance of winning and getting a good payout. Kiplagat, isn't saying anything like that, she is a very fair athlete and not greedy at all.
Comments
I think it's a man thing not to shed tears Bryan!:o)
But what a finish- Paula is wonderful
Well done Paula. WHAT A FINISH!!
Benita 2:38:03 in 14th place
click on women under finishers in top left hand corner
FANTASTIC - SUPERB - BRILLIANT - AMAZING
I am so flippin pleased for the girl - the only sad part is listening to the armchair critics (typically Britsh) who still CANNOT appreciate true athletic talent. Sad sad people.
did you SEE that sprint finish
i only saw the last 3 minutes, gettin back form a mara myself, but am DELIGHTED
I was screeching at the telly
chepkemei ran a great race too
Great piece in today's Times as well
Loved the broadcast, PR and SC running side by side (and not behind).
she had guts at london, ooooooh 3-4 years ago
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT ADDRESS TO WRITE TO HER....as I don't suppose 'Paula Radcliffe the best most inspiring athlete ever'would get to her!!!????
Anyone Know what watch she wears?I think in the past it was a POLAR one.I didn't see a footpod though for the latest speed/distance/HRM model(tho' the Crammy/foster said it looked a 'complicated'watch.
'Kiplagat, the Kenyan-born runner who represents Holland, beat Radcliffe in the World's Greatest 10km, in Puerto Rico in February. She said: "I have nothing against Paula but the idea that you are coming into this race with two weeks to go is a bit selfish. When you sign up for a race, you usually know who is running. You decide your tactics and then adapt your training. To change tactics with only a couple of weeks left to the race is not possible.
"Paula is not a beginner. She would not come here if she was not ready."
Kiplagat, 30, who finished fifth in the 10,000m in Athens, added: "If Paula was preparing to break a world record in England and I turned up, she would be shocked too."
Langerhorst, who helps his wife run their high altitude training centre for young female athletes in Kenya, said: "This is a different course to anything Paula has faced before. New York was always a tactical race. You could take it easy for 16 miles before the racing really started.
"With Paula in the field, it could be a different ball game but this will be a race, not a time trial."'
(telegraph)
"This is one of the strongest fields ever assembled for a marathon"
I think Kiplagat basically was concerned about the possibility of having to completely change her race plan, after a lot of preparation.