Radcliffe plans great south warm-up

Paula Radcliffe will run her first race since the Olympic marathon when competing in the Bupa Great South Run on October 26.

Radcliffe's opponents will include fellow Great Britain international Jo Pavey over a 10-mile course in Portsmouth, a distance she last contested as a teenager around 18 years ago.

"I don't know much about the course but I have heard it is fast and given that it is in the UK and part of Nova races, I'm sure the organisation and atmosphere will be great," said Radcliffe.

"Last time I remember racing over 10 miles was at the UK Championships in Chelmsford around 1990! I think I squeezed under the hour and Bedford won the team race."

Race founder Brendan Foster expressed his delight that Radcliffe has decided to make Portsmouth her first competition since her misfortune in China, rather than choose to race abroad.

"We have always had an excellent relationship with Paula and I'm delighted she is coming to another of our flagship events," said Foster.

"Last year we had the pleasure of welcoming her back in the Great North Run after spending 21 months away from running through injury and then the birth of her daughter Isla.

"Now her appearance in Portsmouth will add to the massive reputation of the Great South Run and I'm sure although they are good friends, Paula and Jo will produce a memorable race - but let's not forget the other quality runners competing."

Radcliffe is looking forward to her clash with the in-form Pavey, who missed out on winning the Bupa Great North Run title last Sunday by just two seconds as Ethiopia's Gete Wami won a memorable sprint to the line.

"Yes, I heard Jo was racing which is great," said Radcliffe, who will compete in next month's New York Marathon. "She really ran well last weekend and will make it a tough test. It was great to see her take Wami right to the wire and she looked really strong."