Radcliffe, Paula (1973–)
Radcliffe, Paula (1973–)
English long-distance runner. Born Paula Jane Radcliffe, Dec 17, 1973, in Northwich, Cheshire, England; dau. of Peter and Pat Radcliffe; great niece of Charlotte Radcliffe (English swimmer); m. Gary Lough (English runner).
Won the World jr. cross-country title (1992); at the European 10,000-meter challenge, placed 2nd (1998) and 1st (1999); at World championships, won a silver medal (1999); set 5 United Kingdom records at 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters (1998–2004); won the World half-marathon title (2000, 2001, 2003) and World cross-country titles (2001, 2002); placed 1st in the 5,000 meters at Commonwealth Games (2002); placed 1st in London marathon (2002, 2003) and Chicago (2002); won the tightest race in New York marathon history (2004). Awarded MBE (2002); named British Female Athlete of the Year (1999, 2001, 2002) and IAAF World Female Athlete of the Year (2002).
See also autobiography My Story So Far.