Former world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe aims to claim the six star medal by finishing the Boston Marathon. Yet, for the British running legend, this accolade is less about career validation and more about personal fulfillment.
Radcliffe, 51, has already cemented her legacy as one of the greatest distance runners in history. With three London and New York Marathon titles each, a Chicago victory, and a podium finish in Berlin, she dominated the sport in her prime. After retiring in 2015 due to a persistent foot injury, she never expected to return to competitive marathoning, until now.
Last year, while pacing a group in Berlin, she realized her foot could withstand the distance again. This sparked a new mission, completing Tokyo and Boston, the two remaining majors missing from her resume. Seven weeks ago, she finished Tokyo in 2:57:22, impressive for a fifty-something runner returning after ten years away.
“I will just be happy to get there in one piece,” Radcliffe admitted to Daily Mail ahead of Boston Marathon.
“But I am excited about it. It has been a goal of mine for some time to try and complete the six. You think, ‘Are you really a marathon runner until you have done it?’”
Boston holds special significance for Radcliffe. It was here, in 1992, that she won the World Junior Cross Country Championships—a race that ignited her belief in becoming a professional athlete. Now, 32 years later, she returns to complete her marathon legacy on the same soil.
“I like the story of it finishing in Boston,” she reflected.
“That was where I won the World Junior Cross Country Championships in 1992, and that was the race that gave me belief I could make it as a professional athlete.”
Despite her numerous accolades, including seven major marathon wins, a world championship, and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, Radcliffe has never kept her medals on display.
“At the moment, I haven’t got any of my medals on display, but I will maybe put this one up in a frame,” she said.
“I think it should probably be pride of place.”
Radcliffe’s world record of 2:15:25, set in London in 2003, stood unbeaten for 16 years, a testament to her dominance. While her pace today is different, her impact remains timeless. For fans, her Boston run isn’t about time—it’s about witnessing a legend complete a journey that once seemed impossible.
