Paula Radcliffe to end glorious marathon career at London race in April

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jan/14/paula-radcliffe-end-marathon-career-london-april

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Paula Radcliffe will race her final marathon in London in April, organisers have announced.

The world record holder, who last competed over 26.2 miles in Berlin in September 2011, will bring the curtain down on a glorious marathon career at the London Marathon on 26 April. The 41-year-old is a three-times winner of the London Marathon, but last took part in the race nine years ago.

The race director, Hugh Brasher, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Paula has chosen London for her final marathon and we know the British crowds will be out in force to celebrate her extraordinary career.”

Radcliffe, who set her world record of 2hr 15min 25sec on the streets of the capital in 2003, was not named among the elite athlete entries and will announce her plans for the race on 30 January.

The defending champion and two-times world champion, Edna Kiplagat, will take on her fellow Kenyan Florence Kiplagat (no relation), whom she beat to victory last year by just three seconds. Two more Kenyans, Priscah Jeptoo and Mary Keitany, both former London Marathon champions, are also in the field.

Edna Kiplagat, who sprinted to victory on The Mall last year, beating the half-marathon world record holder Florence Kiplagat by just three seconds, in the closest women’s race for 17 years, said: “Winning my first London Marathon title on my fourth attempt last year was a special moment for me. Now I have tasted success in London, I am determined to win again. But I know it will be tougher than ever in 2015.

“Florence will be hungry to win after getting so close last year, and both Priscah and Mary will be doing their best to regain the No1 spot. We have all had some great races in London in the past and I am sure it will be even better this year.”

Keitany’s return to the London Marathon will be keenly anticipated by marathon fans after she won her second title in compelling style three years ago in 2:18:37, a time only Radcliffe has beaten on the London course. Keitany made a spectacular return to marathon racing last year when she won the New York City Marathon in November after taking a year out in 2013 to have her second child. Undefeated over the London course, she is the quickest in this year’s lineup by more than a minute and is aiming to become only the fourth woman to win the London Marathon three times.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the London Marathon this year,” said Keitany, who turns 33 on Sunday. “I have had great success in London before and will be training hard to win my third title.”