Paula's Back

Since the marathon is so close, you will notice I am devoting a lot of this blog to that subject. Along those lines, I was so excited to hear that Paula Radcliffe (last year's winner) will be returning for this year's race:

Paula Radcliffe to Defend Title at ING New York City Marathon 2008

New York, October 1, 2008—World record-holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain will return to the streets of New York to defend her title at the ING New York City Marathon 2008 on Sunday, November 2.

A year ago Radcliffe, 34, amazed the world with an inspiring victory in New York just 10 months after the birth of her first child, daughter Isla, on January 17, 2007. She pulled away from Ethiopia’s Gete Wami in the final mile to capture the title in 2:23:09.

Unbeaten in New York, Radcliffe captured her first crown in 2004 in dramatic fashion when she out-dueled Kenyan Susan Chepkemei by three seconds in the closest women’s finish in race history.

A third win would lift Radcliffe into second place for the most New York victories, behind the legendary Grete Waitz of Norway, who amassed an astounding nine New York City Marathon wins.

“We never stop being amazed by what Paula is able to do; she is the all-time greatest, and New York always seems to bring out the best in her,” Wittenberg said. “Paula’s participation makes this our best women’s field ever.”

Radcliffe returns seeking a bit of redemption at the 26.2-mile distance following a disappointing performance in the women’s marathon at the Olympic Games. Injuries plagued Radcliffe’s preparation for the race and resulted in her 23rd-place finish (2:32:38).

“I am really looking forward to returning to the ING New York City Marathon,” said Radcliffe. “New York has always been very special to me and every time I return it becomes more special. Grete Waitz has always been an inspiration to me, and getting a small step closer to what she achieved in New York City would be amazing to me.”

Radcliffe owns the women’s marathon world record of 2:15:25, which she set in 2003 at the Flora London Marathon. Her marathon debut of 2:18:56, which she ran in London in 2002, is still the fifth-fastest time in history. She holds four of the five fastest women’s marathon times in history, and has won seven of the eight marathons she has finished, including three victories in London, two in New York, one in Chicago, and one at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki.

Radcliffe joins previously announced World Marathon Majors champion Wami, 2007 Boston champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia, and marathon first-timers New Zealand Olympian Kim Smith and American Olympian Kara Goucher. The women’s race for the second World Marathon Majors crown and the $500,000 prize purse will once again be determined in New York.

Don't worry, if I get to meet her, I will be sure to tell you all about it!!!!!! Can you tell I am excited?? Only 22 more days to go....