Paula Radcliffe capped a year of personal triumph by shattering the world record in winning the Chicago Marathon today.
The Bedford runner won in an official time of two hours 17 minutes 18 seconds, slicing 89 seconds off the previous best time.
Radcliffe, victorious on her Marathon debut in London in April, ran the second half of the race in a minute less than the first half and finished well clear of her chief rival Catherine Ndereba, who was second.
Paula Radcliffe factfile:
March 24th- Radcliffe cruised to a flowing victory around Dublin's windswept Leopardstown racecourse to retain her IAAF World Cross Country title in a time of 26 minutes 55 seconds.
April 14th- Produced one of her greatest performances to win the Flora London Marathon in a European record time of 2hrs 18mins 56secs on her debut in the race.
June 15th- Awarded an MBE for services to athletics.
July 28th- Radcliffe finally ended her quest for track gold at a major championships with a crushing victory in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games.
August 7th- Continued her winning form at the European Championships in Munich, taking 10,000m gold just nine days after the Commonwealth Games.
October 13th- Wins Chicago Marathon in new world-record time of 2hrs 17mins 18secs - slashing 89 seconds off the previous best time.
PA