Paula Radcliffe

British Female Athlete of the year,Cheshire born,Paula Radcliife has finally done it. In brilliant style,gutsy,Paula, won a wonderful Commonwealth 5,000 metres race and in the process smashed the record into oblivion. Even the World Record looked as if it might be in danger of being broken by Paula,who clocked a time of 14 minutes 31.42 seconds to take the title

The 5,000 and 10,000 metres are two of the great events on the track and the 2002 event lived up to its pre race billing. It saw a truly magnificent run by Paula who left other world class athletes including the Kenyan runners in her wake.Kenyan runners Edith Masai and Iness Chenonges took second and third places.

Paul was born at Nantwich in Cheshire on the 17 th December,1973. Her height is 1,73 metres and she weighs 54 kg. She holds British records in the 10,000 metres,5000 metres,and 3000 metres,is the World Cross Country Champion, Half Marathon Champion and won the London Marathon this year in the second fastest time in history.

Paula who comes from a sports minded family,her Great Aunt, was a champion swimmer, is renowned in atletics for her inspirational,griity,gutsy performances. Let no one doubt either her tremendous ability. Her recent record is impressive,eg

Commonwaelth Games,2002, Ist in 5,000 metres

Olympic Games 2000, 4th in 10,000metres

Olympic Games,1996, 5th in 5000 metres

World Championships,2002, 4th in 10000 metres
World Championships,1999, 2nd in 10,000 metres

World Championships,1997, 4 th in 10000 metres

London Marathon,2002, Ist

Paula, the British Women's team captain is an inspirational and highly talented athlete greatly admired not just for her performances on the track but in her courage in voicing her opposition to the use of drugs in sport.

This plucky, courageous ,athlete,has now proven beyond any doubt that she is one of the greatest female athletes Britain has ever produced.Manchester was fortunate in that Paula saved perhaps her greatest ever 5,000 metres race for the Mancunians.

Well done Paula !
Thanks for reading !