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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Post from: EveryJoe

Olympian Radcliffe Wins New York Marathon

Defending Olympic Gold Medalist, Mizuki Noguchi of Japan withdrew from Olympic competition on Tuesday, according to the Japanese Olympic Committee. Noguchi, 30, earned the Gold Medal in the women’s marathon at the Athens Games in 2004. The reason given for her withdrawal was a lingering left thigh injury.

Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, the world record holder, is the favorite to win the marathon, which is scheduled to be run on August 17.

Post from: EveryJoe

Defending Marathon Medalist Withdraws