Radcliffe, competing for the first time since her disappointment at the Beijing Olympics, won in 51 minutes 11 seconds; 30 seconds faster than the 17 year old record held by Jill Boltz.

Actually, at one point, the 34-year-old looked set to break the world record, but narrowly missed out by 21 seconds.

Now Paula will attempt to win the title for the third time in her career and judging by her post-race comments, she’s pretty hopeful of a good showing:

Sometimes, at the end of a race, you feel really sick when you are warming down. I don’t feel like that today, I can run a decent time and still come away feeling that there is more in the tank. I eased down for this race and I’ll ease down more for New York, so, hopefully, I’ll be even fresher then.

The 34-year-old also won the race in 2004 and she will be looking to put the disappointment of finishing 23rd in the marathon at the Olympics behind her.

I am really looking forward to returning to the New York Marathon.

New York has always been very special to me and every time I return it becomes more special.

Full story: BBC Sport

Paula admits she still hasn’t fully recovered from a stress fracture in her leg but has had her best week of training so far.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Paula said:

I have not taken stupid risks with my leg – but at every point I have tested it and pushed it a bit further because you’re taking a gamble.

You have to ask yourself ‘Are you prepared for the worst thing that can happen?’ And for me the worst thing is not to be able to finish the race, and I have already faced that in Athens.

There have been points when I really did not think I would make it so I will be the happiest of all the runners on the start line!

The key is being in there fighting.

The only reason I would not able to finish it would be if my leg could not handle it, but I have been encouraged as my leg has been coping with good amounts of running.

Not only will she be testing the weakness of a fractured femur, but Radcliffe will also have to deal with the heat, humidity and pollution of Beijing. Should be an interesting race. Good luck to you Paula!

World marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe withdrew from the London Marathon on Thursday because of a toe tendon injury, but is still expected to recover in time for this August’s Beijing Olympics.

Radcliffe said:

I am desperately disappointed that I have to pull out of this year’s race.

I love running in London and this race would have been the perfect test for me before the Olympic Games.

After injuring her right toe while altitude training at her base in Albuquerque, N.M., Radcliffe said:

In marathon training there are no short cuts and there is simply not enough time to be in the shape I want to be in to run well in London. Now I must concentrate on being as well prepared as possible for Beijing.

Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. I know Paula is desperate to make up for dropping out of the marathon at the 2004 Athens Games, despite winning gold at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland a year later.

“I have many happy memories of good races at the Great North Run, so it seemed a natural place to start back,” said the 33-year-old. “I chose a half because I wanted a good quality fast race to come back and blow away the cobwebs.”

The world marathon record holder’s last run saw her win impressively over 10 kilometres in Madrid with a course-record time of 31 minutes, 16 seconds on December 31, 2005.

Paula’s daughter Isla was born in January this year and Radcliffe quickly got back into training, including staying at a high altitude camp in the United States. But a stress fracture of the sacrum related to childbirth caused another setback, ultimately wrecking her hopes of chasing the World Championship 10,000 metres title last month in Osaka.

Having faced so many obstacles, Radcliffe was adamant she must listen to her body and not race until 100% ready. Instead, she continued her preparations for a comeback with a tough schedule at her regular training base of Font Romeu in the French Pyrenees.

Radcliffe admitted: “It has been a really frustrating time recently, especially missing out on Osaka and watching the 10,000m, which seemed more open than it has been for years. I had to be patient until my body recovered and I have been able to get a good base of running and decent training in.”

She added: “I was extremely frustrated to miss the Commonwealth Games and London Marathon with my foot injury, but the joy of having Isla helped to cope with that a little bit.”

Original story: The Press Association