Posted by ernie beach on November 24, 2005 at 00:15:54:
Paula Radcliffe makes impressive return
Paula Radcliffe enjoyed a good return to action after a bout of bronchitis as she ran for Great Britain in the Chiba Ekiden Marathon Relay in Japan.
The 31-year-old ran the competition's second-fastest 10km-leg to lift Britain from ninth to fourth, but the team dropped back and ended up seventh.
"When I took over we were way back, so I went a little too hard. In the second half, I struggled a bit," she said.
"It's not great but it's better than it has been in the past few weeks."
Radcliffe ran her 10km stage of the race in 31 minutes 41 seconds, the second fastest individual time for the section, behind Evelyn Wambui of eventual winners Kenya.
"I've overestimated my current form and started little too fast," said Radcliffe afterwards.
"15:10 for the first 5km was little too fast, even though it was slightly downhill."
Radcliffe's team-mates were Charlotte Dale - who competed despite food poisoning - Kate Ramsey, Jo Ankier, Birhan Dagne and Kate Reed.
The overall winners of the women's event were Kenya, who finished in 2:13.33, with Ethiopia second and Russia in third place.
Kenya also won the men's event in a new world record time of 1:57.06.
Japan came second in a new Asian record time of 1:58:58, with the United States in third.
Like their female counterparts, the British men's team finished seventh.