Episode Description
This week’s podcast features an interview with Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, one of the best-known names in running for the past 30+ years.
Radcliffe first gained international prominence when she won the World Jr. Cross-Country race (on a snowy day in Boston, MA) in 1992. She had a great track career, and then moved up to the marathon, where she enjoyed unparalleled success. Among her biggest wins: three London Marathon titles, and three NYC Marathons.
At the 2003 London Marathon, Radcliffe ran a then-almost-unthinkable 2:15:25 to set a world record that lasted for 16 years. It even survived the first several years of the super-shoe onslaught until Brigid Kosgei ran 2:14:04 in the 2019 Chicago Marathon.
A little more than a year ago, Radcliffe, then 51, came out of marathon retirement to run the Tokyo and Boston Marathons with finish times in the mid 2:50s. This gave her finishes in the six original Abbott World Marathon Majors races.
Radcliffe currently lives in Monaco with her husband, Gary Lough, a well-known coach and agent, and a 15-year-old son, Raphael. Raphael has recently gotten serious about his running, and lowered his 1500-meter best to 3:59. An older daughter, Isla, who had a cancer scare in her teen years, is studying at college in Great Britain.
Radcliffe stays deeply involved in the sport through her track and marathon commentary for various TV outlets. She also co-hosts a podcast titled “Paula’s Run Club,” and promotes youth-running opportunities with several organizations.
In this conversation, Radcliffe talked in depth about her early running experiences and influences, her peak training, her favorite runners, the current women’s marathon world record (2:09:56, by Ruth Chepngetich), and much more.
To learn more about Radcliffe and her activities, check out her Instagram account.
WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"
Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, or other podcast players. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."
With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.