Paula reinstated as world record holder
Paula Radcliffe has been reinstated as the holder of the women's world marathon record at two hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds.
In September the IAAF voted to bring in rules where new records will be officially recognised and ratified only if achieved in women-only races.
Paula's record of 2 hrs 15 mins and 25 secs was set in a mixed field in the 2003 London Marathon. The IAAF had said that this time would be reclassified as a "world best'', with her time of 2hrs 17mins 42secs set in a women's-only field in London in 2005 becoming the world record.
However, the IAAF changed that decision at their council meeting in Monaco this week.
The statement reads "The IAAF Council has approved the continued recognition of the currently existing world records, regardless of the type of race in which they were achieved (mixed or women only) and new records will be officially recognised and ratified only if achieved in women-only races.''
Those who saw Paula's run in London 2003 will agree that the record was broken through her own physical fitness and mental strength and that it is debatable whether the male runners in the race played a role in assisting her in her achievement. However, it could be argued that this record will be more difficult to break now that it has to be done in a women's only field.
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