Radcliffe eyes fourth crown at the New York City Marathon – European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS

All eyes will be on three-time champion Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain as the Marathon world record holder seeks a fourth title at the New York City Marathon on Sunday, 1 November.

Radcliffe, 35, the winner in 2004, 2007 and 2008 editions, also holds the distinction of registering four of the five fastest times in the history of women's Marathon.

Should Radcliffe defend her title on Sunday, she will be the first four-time winner since Norwegian legend Grete Waitz, who won a staggering nine titles in New York. She would also become only the fourth runner, male or female, to win three times in a row in New York; the others are Alberto Salazar (1980-1982), Bill Rodgers (four wins from 1976-1979) and Waitz, whose nine wins covered eleven races with two multi-year streaks.

Radcliffe, who set the world record of two hours 15 minutes 25 seconds at the 2003 London Marathon, will take aim at Kenyan Margaret Okayo's 2003 New York mark of 2:22:31.

Radcliffe is returning to New York for her first race since winning the NYC Half-Marathon in August. However the Briton will have to keep a close eye on Japan's Yuri Kano and Boston Marathon winner Salina Kosgei of Kenya.

Radcliffe has recently recovered from tonsillitis that denied her the chance to chase a fourth IAAF World Half Marathon title in Birmingham last month.

The late withdrawal of two-time champion Martin Lel of Kenya has made the men's field wide open. In Lel's absence defending champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil has emerged as the out-right favourite.  Jaoud Gharib of Morocco has two world titles (Paris 2003 and Helsinki 2005) but has yet to win one of the World Marathon Majors races despite several attempts, but on Sunday he will be among the top bets.  

Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, a four-time Boston Marathon champion, will also be in the fray for the men's title. As will countrymen Patrick Makau and James Kwambai. Kwambai holds the notable distinction of running the fastest-ever non-winning Marathon time in history. In Rotterdam last spring, Kwambai ran 2:04:27, but still had to sprint for the line and finished behind compatriot Duncan Kibet.

 European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS