Radcliffe shatters own world mark

London:

Paula Radcliffe shattered her own world marathon mark today in the London Marathon, clocking 2 hours 15 minutes 25 seconds. The time was 1:53 faster than her record time six months ago in Chicago. The 29-year-old Englishwoman pulled clear of the field from the start and clocked 5:10 on her first mile, which put her on a pace for 2:15:28 as she followed two male Kenyan pacemakers hired by race officials. She never wavered. Second place went to former record-holder Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, more than four minutes behind the winner in 2:19:54. American Deena Drossin was third at 2:21:15 to break the American record of Joan Benoit by six seconds. The race was run under perfect conditions with light winds and a starting temperature of 10C. The women's marathon mark has now been broken four times in the last 2 1/2 years - and six times in the last five years. (AP)