Paula Radcliffe Speaks out

[noddy69]

The reason nobody has broken the 15 year marathon WR is that Paula just had these NASA designed shoe laces that were banned by the IAAF after that race.

Joking aside, the main reason is women can't get pacemaking from men any more as they're not allowed to race together at elite level. It's the athletics equivalent of Boardman's superman hour record.

Her women only record has been beaten. Many, including me, consider that the true world record.

Wtf

It used to be that in some (most even) major marathons, the elite men and elite women would start together. This gave the opportunity to have men pacemaking the women - all perfectly legal. Radcliffe did this in London in 2003. She wasn't the only one to do it. Runners trying to get qualifying times did it too. Then a couple of years later major races had to send the women off earlier. But for some reason the IAAF (pre-Coe BTW) thought Radcliffe's time should stand despite challenges against it.

So unlike Boardman she gets to keep her record gained with advantages no longer available to others.

.....is there a consensus on what the difference equates to i.e. 3 mins?

Nope- bit of a red herring when it comes to Paula's record IMO as everyone else had that "advantage" at the time too and they got nowhere near it.
Its useful to use it as an excuse .

 

[The Hitch]

The reason nobody has broken the 15 year marathon WR is that Paula just had these NASA designed shoe laces that were banned by the IAAF after that race.

Joking aside, the main reason is women can't get pacemaking from men any more as they're not allowed to race together at elite level. It's the athletics equivalent of Boardman's superman hour record.

Her women only record has been beaten. Many, including me, consider that the true world record.

Wtf

It used to be that in some (most even) major marathons, the elite men and elite women would start together. This gave the opportunity to have men pacemaking the women - all perfectly legal. Radcliffe did this in London in 2003. She wasn't the only one to do it. Runners trying to get qualifying times did it too. Then a couple of years later major races had to send the women off earlier. But for some reason the IAAF (pre-Coe BTW) thought Radcliffe's time should stand despite challenges against it.

So unlike Boardman she gets to keep her record gained with advantages no longer available to others.

Do you actually believe paula was clean lol

 

[Random Direction]

Sadly yes. Pink fluffy unicorns in the sky.