Radcliffe hopes to get off to a flier

A course record is expected to fall to world-beater Paula Radcliffe when she heads the British challenge for honours in tomorrow’s Chiba International Ekiden Relay in Japan.

Radcliffe is scheduled to contest the first 10 kilometres of a race which is run in six legs over the full marathon distance.

The hope is that world marathon record-holder Radcliffe will be able to better her own all-time best of 30 minutes and 21 seconds for this distance, running on a largely downhill course.

Organisers believe Radcliffe could take the time under the half-hour, providing she takes full advantage of the drop in elevation in the first four kilometres.

Although Britain will be assured of a good start in their bid for honours, reigning champions Ethiopia are expected to power away afterwards.

Headed by the current world 5,000m and 10,000m gold medallists Tirunesh Dibaba and Berhane Adere and backed by other aces Meseret Defar and Werknesh Kidane, they look serious contenders to smash their own course record of two hours 14 minutes and seven seconds.

Ethiopia’s men will also start as favourites to retain their title, following last year’s course record of 1:57:56.