Four-time Olympian, Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain was the fastest female finisher at this weekend’s New York Marathon, a 26.2 mile race that snakes through all of the city’s five boroughs. Radcliffe is one of just two women to win the race three times. She won in 2007 and in 2004.

Radcliffe has competed in four Olympic Games. She finished 5th in the 5000m event in 1996 and 4th in the 10,000m in 2000. Her best finish in the Olympic marathon was 23rd in 2008 in Beijing.

Russian Ludmila Petrova, 40, finished second in New York. She was followed by Kara Goucher of the US.

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Olympian Radcliffe Wins New York Marathon

Of great interest during the 2008 Olympics has been the hazy mist occupying the city of Beijing. Chinese officials have put forth their best efforts to diffuse the situation, reducing traffic and shutting down factories throught the city. Despite these efforts, the poor air quality in Beijing remains a sore spot, something the Chinese government has spent billions of dollars trying to avoid.

At best, the air quality in Beijing is not good. Similar to Los Angeles, Beijing sits in a basin which allows air to stagnate. The pollution levels are six times higher than those recorded during the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, GA. The pollution level is 2-7 times higher than the average for a large U.S. metropolitan area.

The air quality in Beijing has been burdensome to the athletes. The use of respitory masks has become widespread, as athletes attempt to circumvent any underlying consequence which might result from the poor aire quality. Nearly 1/3 of cyclist have withdrawn from Saturday’s road race, citing air quality as their primary concern. Various athlete have voiced out on the subject.

An excerpt taken from the blog of athlete Kara Goucher provides further insight into the situation:

“I have to say that the pollution and smog in Beijing is much, much worse than I imagined. It’s a bit eerie how the sun never comes out all day. If you arew alking around the village and you look ahead, you can’t see all of the buildings. The pollution creates a fog that clouds over everything. It is unimaginable. I am shocked by how bad it is.”

Recent showers have provided some relief. However, this relief is generally temporary, as a simple rain shower cannot repair the damaging and lasting effects left behind from years of neglect.

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Up in the Air

Image details: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials – Day Six served by picapp.com

Twenty-nine-year-old Kara Goucher won the women’s 5000m event last night at the US Olympic Track & Field Qualifying Meet to secure herself a ticket to Beijing. The Minnesota native has battled injury and more than a few racing disappointments in her quest to compete in the Olympic Games. Goucher also qualified for the 10,000m race earlier in the week with a second place finish.

Joining her for the 5000m in Beijing will be second place finisher, Jennifer Rhines and third place finisher, Shalane Flanagan.

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Kara Goucher Leads Women’s 5000m Qualifiers