Radcliffe to miss world championships

London:

Women's marathon record-holder Paula Radcliffe won't be defending her title at the upcoming World Championships in Japan.

The 33-year-old British runner, who gave birth to a baby daughter in January, is not in peak condition yet and will miss the championships in Osaka, from August 25 to September 2.

Radcliffe told the British Press Association on Tuesday from her training base in France that she hopes to return to competition in the fall.

"I'm not going to rush or take any shortcuts trying to get back competing," she said. "Obviously it's too late for me to go to Osaka. It seems as if the world championships have crept up on me overnight. If things go to plan, I am hoping to return to racing in the early autumn."

Radliffe won the marathon at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, in 2005. Her next priority is to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Radcliffe set the women's world record of 2 hours, 15 minutes, 25 seconds in winning the London Marathon in April 2003.