Radcliffe may favour the marathon at Olympics

Paula Radcliffe, crowned European cross country champion for a second time, has hinted that the marathon will be her main area…

Paula Radcliffe, crowned European cross country champion for a second time, has hinted that the marathon will be her main area of focus at next summer's  Olympic Games in Athens.

"Although the marathon is uppermost in my mind, I still haven't ruled out running 10,000 metres," the 29 year-old runner admitted.

"I'll tackle what I consider to be my best event," she added.

After setting two marathon world records the longer distance would seem Radcliffe's best bet. but the Briton, winner of the European 10,000m title last year, has always coveted winning a global medal on the track.

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That looked likely at August's World Championships in Paris only for a leg injury and a bout of bronchitis to force her to watch from the sidelines.

"In a sense this year has been a failure," said Radcliffe, who also led the British women to glory in Edinburgh. "Looking back I should be pleased. But Paris was part of my plan and I didn't make it."