Paula RADCLIFFE

British athlete Paula RADCLIFFE may have never won an Olympic title, but she is by far the most decorated female long-distance runner in Great Britain.

By The Olympic Museum

After her spectacular victory at the London Marathon in 2003, where she set a new world record of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds, Paula RADCLIFFE was the overwhelming favourite for the marathon at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.

Athènes 2004 - Abandon de la course no 1831 RADCLIFFE, Paula (GBR) Replay (2004) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum

Athens 2004

However, fate had other plans. Just a few days before the race, Radcliffe suffered an unfortunate injury. At the 36-kilometre mark, she was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to pull out of the race. This was undoubtedly the lowest point in her career.

NEW YORK - Paula RADCLIFFE (GBR) #F111 remporte le marathon ING de New York le 7 novembre 2004 (2004) by Getty ImagesThe Olympic Museum

New York Marathon in 2004

But RADCLIFFE didn't let this setback define her. At the New York Marathon she emerged victorious with a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes and 10 seconds – three minutes faster than the time set by Japanese runner Mizuki NOGUCHI at the Athens Olympics.

LONDRES - Arrivée triomphale de Paula RADCLIFFE (GBR) lors du Flora London Marathon de 2005. © Getty Images / David Lodge (2005) by Getty ImagesThe Olympic Museum

London 2005 – A new world record

At the London Marathon, RADCLIFFE made her mark once again, establishing a world's best time for a women's only race of 2 hours, 17 minutes and 42 seconds. She held that record until 2019.

Beijing 2008 - marathon Femmes – Liz YELLING (GBR) 26e et Paula RADCLIFFE (GBR) 23e. (2008) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum

Beijing 2008

Having won the New York Marathon in 2007 just nine months after giving birth to her first child, Paula RADCLIFFE finished in tears at the Beijing Olympics, finishing 23^rddue to a stress fracture.

NEW YORK - Paula RADCLIFFE (GBR) célèbre avec sa fille Isla après avoir remporté le marathon ING 2008 de New York le 2 novembre 2008. (2008) by Getty ImagesThe Olympic Museum

New York Marathon in 2008

10 weeks after her Olympic disappointment, RADCLIFFE crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 23 minutes and 56 seconds in her distinctive and assertive style, leaving the pack behind with a lead of nearly two minutes. This triumph was her third title in New York, adding to her victories in 2004 and 2007.

Credits: Story

For more information about the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, visit
https://olympics.com/museum

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

The Olympic Museum

The Olympic Museum

Interested in Sport?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

No, thanks

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.