Radcliffe settles for second

Paula Radcliffe was beaten into second place in this morning’s BUPA Great North Run in her first race for almost two years.

Radcliffe, whose last competition was on New Year’s Eve 2005, lost decisively to Kara Goucher on Tyneside.

The American star, a World Championships 10,000 metres bronze medallist, stormed to victory over the half-marathon course in a time of 66 minutes 57 seconds.

Goucher’s performance in perfect conditions was the fastest ever time achieved by an American, beating Olympic marathon bronze medallist Deena Kastor who ran 67mins 34secs in Berlin last year.

Radcliffe fell off the pace when Goucher upped the ante with consecutive miles of 4mins 57secs and 4mins 49secs from the six-mile point, and finished in 67mins 53secs.

Aniko Kalovics from Hungary, the second-fastest European performer this year, took third place in 70mins 17secs.