Guess who’s lacing up her running shoes again? That’s right—Paula Radcliffe, the legendary British marathoner, is making a comeback. The former marathon world record-holder is stepping out of retirement to take on the 2025 Boston Marathon, one of the most iconic races in the world.
At 51, Radcliffe isn’t just dipping her toes back in the running world; she’s diving headfirst, also committing to the Tokyo Marathon on March 2, 2025. This news has the running community buzzing, and it’s easy to see why.
The Queen of The Marathon
Paula Radcliffe’s name is synonymous with marathon greatness. From 2002 to 2008, she was untouchable, racking up wins and smashing records. Here are some of her jaw-dropping career highlights:
- 2003 London Marathon: Set a world record of 2:15:25, a time that stood for an incredible 16 years. To this day, it’s the British women’s marathon record.
- 3x London Marathon Champion: 2002, 2003, 2005.
- 3x New York City Marathon Champion: 2004, 2007, 2008.
- Chicago Marathon Winner: 2002, in 2:17:18, which was a world record at the time.
At her peak, Radcliffe was a force of nature, blending unrelenting pace with unmatched endurance. Her ability to dominate races often left competitors fighting for second place.
And she wasn’t just fast; she was gutsy. Known for her distinctive head-bobbing style, she brought grit to every race. Who could forget her heartbreak at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she entered as the gold-medal favorite but had to drop out due to illness? Yet, she bounced back, winning the New York City Marathon just months later in one of the most emotional comebacks in running history.
Beyond the marathon, Radcliffe excelled in other events:
- 10,000m PB: 30:01.09 (second-fastest time in history when she ran it in 2002).
- Half Marathon PB: 1:05:40, a world record at the time in 2001.
- Cross Country: Two-time World Cross Country Champion (2001 and 2002).
Her versatility across distances and terrains set her apart as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Radcliffe formally retired after an emotional farewell at the 2015 London Marathon, where she clocked an impressive 2:36:55 at age 41. It was a victory lap of sorts, as she had already cemented her legacy as one of the greatest marathoners ever. Since then, she’s been focused on her family, working as a commentator, and advocating for the next generation of runners.
In fact, she’s even started her own podcast, Paula’s Marathon Run club, which you can listen to HERE.
Now, a decade after her last marathon, Paula is back. While she hasn’t announced specific time goals, her competitive nature will undoubtedly come through. Many are speculating whether she could target the British W50+ Masters record of 2:47:44, currently held by Helen Grant.
Radcliffe’s Boston debut is particularly exciting. She skipped the Boston Marathon during her competitive years, focusing instead on courses where world records were more achievable. But Boston, with its storied history and challenging hills, offers her a chance to experience a new chapter in her storied career.
