Radcliffe races into marathon record books
The 28-year-old Briton's awesome strength and speed saw her cross the finishing line in two hours 17 minutes 18 seconds slicing a stunning 89 seconds off the world record time set by defending champion Catherine Ndereba in this event last year.
Yesterday she thrived in the environment of running alongside talented male opponents. She did not look back at her rivals during the first 10 miles, before making a strong surge just before the halfway point.
The tempo increase carried her through 13.1 miles in 69:05 and, more importantly, enabled her to open up a 15-yard lead over Ndereba.
Although Radcliffe's head bobbed in traditional manner, her blonde hair was not visible until she discarded her blue bobble hat after 16 miles.
The gap at 20 miles was 24 seconds, and despite feeling pain two miles later her body responded instantly to her new demands and the question was not whether Radcliffe would break the world record but rather how big the margin would be.
The reward saw her become the first woman to break the two hours 18 minutes and also the first British woman to hold the world record since Dale Greig held the honour after her win on the Isle of Wight in 1964.
Radcliffe The win capped a year of success which has seen Radcliffe retain her World Cross Country title and win Commonwealth 5000m and 10000m gold medals, as well as her marathon success in London.
But Radcliffe admitted yesterday's win which earned her £160,000 (250,000 euro) topped them all.
"I've got the world record so it's got to rank at the top. Ever since London I have been working towards this and my track races went 100% to plan.
"Now I'm just going to have a holiday I'm putting my trainers away until I get back home."
World record holder, Moroccan-born now US citizen, Khalid Khannouchi, won his fourth Chicago crown in the men's marathon in an official time of two hours five minutes and 56 seconds.
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