Radcliffe smashes Games record to win 5000m title

28 July 2002

England's Paula Radcliffe sets a new Commonwealth Games record in the 5000m as she runs fifth fastest time ever.

Paula Radcliffe celebrates her gold with a lap of honour in the City of Manchester Stadium

Radcliffe romped home to take first place, all the time being urged on by the home crowd.

She was up against the likes of the Kenya's Edith Masai, who she beat by 20 seconds, and Ines Chenonges who finished in second and third places respectively.

After winning her first major track title Radcliffe said: “It’s been hanging round my neck a bit, and it’s nice to get it out of the way before going into the European Championships.”

“I’ve succeeded in the first part of a dream and I take a lot from that but I’m really looking forward to the Europeans now. I think at the end of the season I’ll be able to look back and appreciate what I’ve done, but at the moment I’m not trying to think about it too much. I’m just concentrating on one step at a time.”

Discussing her time Radcliffe said: “I knew I had to be at my best and had to choose the right tactics. Maybe if I had run a more even pace, I might have got closer to the world record. But the time is irrelevant. I had to win this race. It was amazing just to run in this stadium."

Radcliffe, who won the London Marathon this year, had great support from the crowd in the packed out City of Manchester Stadium.

“The atmosphere was something I will never forget. It was the atmosphere more than the anthem that brought tears to my eyes.”

The final result was:

Paula Radcliffe (ENG) 14:31.32 (GR)
Edith Masai (KEN) 14:53.76
Iness Chenonges (KEN) 15:06.06 (PB)
Dorcus Inzikuru (UGA) 15:18.01 (PB)
Jo Pavey (ENG) 15:19.91
Benita Johnson (AUS) 15:26.55
Restituta Kemi (TAN) 15:33.07 (SB)
Courtney Babcock (CAN) 15:42.83
Anna Thompson (AUS) 15:43.92 (PB)
Catherine Berry (ENG) 15:44.87 (PB)
Haley McGregor (AUS) 15:47.10
Hawa Hussein (TAN) 15:48.42
Catherine Chikwakwa (MAW) 15:56.71 (NR)
Gillian Palmer (SCO) 16:29.63
Catherine Dugdale (WAL) 16:43.49
Christiana Augustine (NGR) DNF