Paula Radcliffe has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours, more than 20 years after she first received an MBE during her competitive career.
Radcliffe, 52, is listed in the honours as a broadcaster and athlete, with the award recognising services to sport. She was previously appointed an MBE in 2002, the same year she won BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Her name remains closely associated with her former marathon world record of 2:15:25, set at the London Marathon in 2003. The time stood as the outright women’s world record for 16 years until Brigid Kosgei broke it in 2019. At the time, it was widely seen as a performance that shifted expectations in the event.
Radcliffe’s career was not just limited to the marathon, though. She won world titles in cross country, the half marathon, and the marathon, was European champion over 10,000 metres and in cross country, and claimed Commonwealth gold over 5,000 metres. She won the London Marathon and New York City Marathon three times each, and the Chicago Marathon once.
She represented Great Britain at four Olympic Games, in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008, but did not win an Olympic medal. Several of those appearances were affected by injury or illness, which became a recurring theme in the latter stages of her career.
Since retiring from elite competition, Radcliffe has remained involved in the sport through broadcasting and commentary work with the BBC. She has also taken on mentoring and ambassadorial roles and, more recently, has engaged with recreational runners through initiatives such as Paula’s Run Club.
Born in Davenham, Cheshire, Radcliffe began running as a child after accompanying her father on his training runs. She later attended Loughborough University, graduating with a first-class degree in modern languages in 1996, before turning to athletics full-time. She now lives in Monaco with her husband, former runner Gary Lough, and their two children.
In a statement shared on social media, Radcliffe said she was honoured to be recognised and reflected on her long involvement in the sport, from her early years in local athletics clubs to her current role within the running community.
Radcliffe was among a small number of athletics figures recognised in the latest honours list. Fellow BBC athletics broadcaster Gabby Logan was also awarded an OBE, while Welsh Athletics chair and long-time coach Steve Perks and masters hurdler Joe Appiah received MBEs.
The award marks a further acknowledgement of Radcliffe’s contribution to British athletics, both during her competitive years and in the period since her retirement.
