NEW YORK, 7 November 2004 — World record holder Paula Radcliffe will race back into the spotlight at the New York Marathon to when she returns to action for the first time since her stunning collapse at the Athens Olympic Games.
For much of the world, the 30-year-old Briton was last seen slumped over on the roadside in Athens sobbing uncontrollably after giving up six km from finish of the Olympic marathon.
But Radcliffe says she has put that disappointment behind her and is ready to replace those images with ones of celebration as she focuses on adding New York to her list of triumphs.
“I put it behind me,” Radcliffe told a press conference. “It was frustrating, but I’ve moved on. “There’s nothing I can do about it now anyway. “I have a desire to get back into racing, and I’ve wanted to run here for a long time. “To win New York would mean as much as winning Chicago and London.
“I’m not doubting my ability to race well again. I just want to feel like me again.”
For Radcliffe there will be many familiar faces among the estimated 35,000 runners who will wind their way along a 42-km (26.2-mile) route lined with an expected two million spectators through New York’s five boroughs. Two of them will be the bronze medalist from Athens, American Deena Kastor and defending champion and course record holder Margaret Okayo of Kenya.
Two other former winners, Ludmila Petrova of Russia (2000) and Kenyan Tegla Loroupe (1994 and 1995) will also be among the contenders for the first prize of $100,000 plus a car awarded to the men’s and women’s champions.
“It’s a great field for the women this year,” said Okayo. “I’m happy for her (Radcliffe). “It was strange to see that even she could have a problem running just like me.
“And I think it’s great that Deena’s running. “She’ll make the others run faster like her.”
The men’s field will feature Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi, the first American man since Frank Shorter in 1976 to win a medal in an Olympic marathon.
