Paula Radcliffe

British long-distance runner who holds the women's world marathon record of 2:15:25 set in London 2003, three-time world cross country champion

Paula Jane Radcliffe was born in Northwich, Cheshire in 1973 and set the women's marathon world record of 2:15:25 at the London Marathon in April 2003 — a record that stood for 16 years until Brigid Kosgei's 2:14:04 in Chicago in 2019. She competed for Great Britain from 1992 to 2015. She won the London Marathon three times (2002, 2003, 2005), the New York Marathon three times (2004, 2007, 2008) and the Chicago Marathon once. She won the World Cross Country Championship three consecutive times (2001, 2002, 2003) — a remarkable combination with road marathon dominance. Her personal bests of 14:29.11 for 5000m and 30:01.09 for 10000m demonstrate world-class track ability. Her marathon record was set in mixed company — men's and women's runners together — which led to controversy about its validity; the World Athletics women-only world record is 2:17:01, also hers. Her 2004 Athens Olympics — where she retired mid-race and wept by the roadside — remains one of sport's most heartbreaking images. She was awarded the MBE in 2002 and OBE in 2013. She revealed in her 2013 autobiography that she had been informed her blood samples from 2001-2002 showed unusual values — a disclosure that generated significant debate.

Greatest female marathon runner in history, held world record for 16 years

• World Record Marathon 2:15:25 (London 2003 – women's record)
• World Champion Cross Country 2001, 2002, 2003
• World Champion 10000m 2002 (road)
• London Marathon 2002, 2003, 2005
• New York Marathon 2004, 2007, 2008
• MBE 2002, OBE 2013