Radcliffe return inspires her rival

Oct 1 2007 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

SHE was supposed to inspire British athletics on her return to competitive action in the BUPA Great North Run, but Paul Radcliffe’s first race in almost two years only inspired the fastest time in the world this year from an American who has been a nuisance all season.

Kara Goucher had already shattered another British athlete’s medal dream in the World Championships in Osaka last month when she beat Jo Pavey to the bronze in the 10,000m.

The 29-year-old was at it again on Tyneside yesterday as she produced an outstanding performance in her first half marathon, shattering her own national record, as well as Radcliffe’s hopes of a winning return. Radcliffe’s time of 67:53 was one of the fastest this year, but it was not good enough to beat Goucher who has indicated she may decide to move up to the marathon.

Radcliffe will suffer from this defeat long after the body has recovered from the supreme effort needed to complete the 13-and-a-half mile course. But even that pain will recede once she has had the chance to reflect and put things into context.

To expect the 33-year-old to blow her competitors away in her first race after giving birth and two separate injuries was always ambitious, but there was enough to suggest that, when the Olympics in Beijing arrive next year, Radcliffe will still have realistic hope of a gold medal.

Although she did not fulfil her pre-race aim to win the event for the third time, she produced the fastest time by a Briton this year and the third fastest in the world this year.

The comeback bow is over, but the body held up to the strain and now the preparations for China – and the prospect of revenge on Goucher – can begin.

“I could have gone further in terms of stamina, but I couldn’t have gone faster,” admitted Radcliffe. “I felt pretty good but Kara was too quick for me. I’m naturally going to be a bit race rusty and the speed will hopefully return.

“The most important thing was blowing the cobwebs away and getting back into racing conditions. I knew I wasn’t in 65-minute shape, but to get under 68 minutes gives me a platform to build on.

“Obviously I’m disappointed not to win, but it’s not a disaster. I just need to get a bit more leg speed which will come with more training. It’s been a pretty good comeback.” With the prospect of victory in Beijing next year to make up for the disaster in Athens in 2004, and the embarrassment of failing to finish the race, when an illness deprived her of the gold medal she should have won, Radcliffe is expected to step back up to the marathon. But the Bedforshire athlete insisted she will not formulate a plan until she has returned to training in France.

She said: “It’s great to be back racing and this is a good start looking to build on to next year, which is the most important thing.” Radcliffe hit the front from the gun, but Goucher was on her shoulder and, having promised to stay with the returning heroine for as long as she could, the American discovered she had the strength and speed to move away from her. The pair had gone well clear of the rest of the elite athletes by the time they passed the six-mile mark and it was then Goucher made her move with 4:57 and 4:49 miles which put distance between her and Radcliffe for the first time.

Radcliffe tried to respond, but the younger women’s legs were too strong and too powerful and every time the gap closed slightly, Goucher was able to extend it again.

As she turned the corner and entered the home straight along the coast, Goucher did show signs of exhaustion as the extra distance began to sap at her legs. The gap, though, was too big and she crossed the finishing line just under a minute ahead of Radcliffe.

“When I was running alongside her I just hoped somebody was getting a picture of me running alongside Paula,” said Groucher, who had no idea she had broken the USA record until she was told by reporters long after the finish. “I have looked up to her for so long. She has been such an inspiration for me so I’m delighted to win the race.

“People were right not to expect too much from me because I’d never ran this distance before. I had just hoped to run with the leaders for as long as possible, but I felt strong at halfway and pushed on. I’ve never thought of myself as a long distance road runner, but this might mean a bit of a rethink when I get back home.”

The Hungarian athlete Aniko Kalovics was third in a time of 70:17. Briton Hayley Yelling was fifth behind Kenyan Jane Muia, while Susan Partridge was sixth and Tracey Morris seventh. Sunderland Harrier Louise Noble was the best performing local athlete in 21st place with a time of 83:11.

MEN

1 M Lel (Ken) 1hrs 00mins 10secs, 2 S Wanjiru (Ken) 1:00:18, 3 H Ramaala (Rsa) 1:02:37, 4 T Abyu (Gbr) 1:02:50, 5 J Rohatinsky (USA) 1:02:54, 6 A Goucher (USA) 1:03:17, 7 R Ribos (Por) 1:03:36, 8 D Berhanu (Eth) 1:03:54, 9 W Chinhanhu (Zim) 1:03:56, 10 I Hudspith (Gbr) 1:03:59, 11 M Gielen (Ned) 1:04:08, 12 D Robinson (Gbr) 1:04:39, 13 S Yemilanov (Rus) 1:04:46, 14 A Chaica (Por) 1:04:53, 15 A Azouzi (Mor) 1:05:02, 16 A Jones (Gbr) 1:05:07, 17 H Lobb (Gbr) 1:05:40, 18 A Mezgebu (Eth) 1:06:23, 19 M Watson (Gbr) 1:06:24, 20 B Fish (Gbr) 1:06:59

WOMEN

1 K Goucher (USA) 1hrs 06mins 57secs, 2 P Radcliffe (Gbr) 1:07:53, 3 A Kalovics (Hun) 1:10:17, 4 J Muia (Kenya) 1:11:49, 5 H Yelling (Gbr) 1:12:14, 6 S Partridge (Gbr) 1:12:33, 7 T Morris (Gbr) 1:13:22, 8 A Zekiros (Eth) 1:14:08, 9 B Dagne (Gbr) 1:14:11, 10 T Mezentseva (Ukraine) 1:14:17, 11 J Wilkinson (Gbr) 1:14:44, 12 M Lee (Gbr) 1:15:21, 13 P Fawke (Gbr) 1:16:27, 14 P Teveli (Hun) 1:17:13, 15 O O’Mahoney (Irl) 1:17:19, 16 F Baouf (Bel) 1:19:15, 17 J Murray (Gbr) 1:20:05, 18 R Harrison (Gbr) 1:20:24, 19 C Bryson (Gbr) 1:20:54, 20 S Ridehalgh (Gbr) 1:23:11

WHEELCHAIR RACES

MEN: 1 E Van Dyk (Rsa) 42mins 36secs, 2 K Fearnley (Aus) 42:37, 3 J Cassidy (Can) 43:44, 4 D Lemeunier (Fra) 44:37, 5 R Brunner(Spa) 44:51, 6 T Patel (Gbr) 47:09. WOMEN: 1 S Woods (Gbr) 50mins36secs, 2 F Pocatello (Ita) 58:00, 3 J Sowerby (Gbr) 58:40.