Legendary British marathoner Paula Radcliffe has officially retired from competitive road racing after completing the Boston Marathon and earning the prestigious Six Star Medal.
The 51-year-old marathon legend, former world record holder for 16 years, finished Boston in 2:53:44. She secured her place among the elite athletes who have conquered all six World Marathon Majors.
Despite a calf injury at nine miles, she endured, fueled by the roaring crowds along the historic course. Her perseverance paid off as she finished 117th among 12,447 female participants.
She earned the Six Star Medal for completing Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City marathons. Radcliffe shared her emotions on Instagram.
“Wow, thank you, Boston,” she wrote.
“At nine miles, my calf slowed me down, but my foot felt great, and I loved the Boston Marathon crowds. Pain was so worth it for that Six Star Medal, especially getting it from one of my biggest idols, Joanie.”
“That’s me signing out on the roads now! Lesson learned that my body is done with that,” she added.
Radcliffe’s name is etched in marathon history. From 2003 to 2019, her unbeaten 2:15:25 world record cemented her as the greatest female distance runner. She dominated marathons, winning London and New York three times each and Chicago in 2002.
Her Olympic journey spanned four Games (1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008), where she competed in both track and road events.
Radcliffe’s retirement carries a poetic symmetry. Her final Boston race echoed her 1992 junior cross-country start, mirroring her career’s journey.
“More memories completed, and that symmetry from March 1992 WXC to today is complete,” she wrote.
Radcliffe leaves a legacy of perseverance, excellence, and passion as she retires from competitive road racing. Though her marathon wins have ended, her athletic legacy will endure.
