Radcliffe runs final race before giving birth

LONDON, Oct 8 (Reuters) World marathon champion Paula Radcliffe ran her final race today before she gives birth to her first child in January with a gentle jog over 10 km at the Nike Run London in Hyde Park.

Radcliffe, who holds the European record of 30 minutes 01.09 seconds for 10,000 metres on the track, said before the race she planned to finish in 45 to 50 minutes.

Running easily among the pack in the second of four races, featuring 32,000 runners in all, she clocked an unofficial 44 minutes 18 seconds.

The 32-year-old Briton will now wind down her running programme, substituting cross training and swimming as she prepares for child birth early in the New Year.

In an interview with Reuters television, Radcliffe said she planned to run in next year's Osaka world championships over either 10,000 metres or in the marathon.

''I think that's a realistic goal for me eight months after the baby is due,'' she said. ''That will give me time to get back into training and get fit and ready to race in the championships.'' Radcliffe will then set her sights on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she will make another attempt to win a first Olympic medal.

The world marathon record holder failed to finish either the marathon or the 10,000 metres at the 2004 Athens Olympics after coming fourth in the 2000 Sydney 10,000 final and fifth in the 5,000 final in Atlanta four years earlier.

''I think I have got to come to Olympic year and be able to really, really perform as absolutely well as I'm capable and get everything perfect on the day,'' she said. ''Hopefully that will come right in Beijing but I have to go back and give it a go.'' Radcliffe hopes to be still running competitively in 2012 when the Olympics are staged in London for the third time.

''I will be 38,'' she said. ''It's feasible. I think I'll still be running well enough to get a spot on the team. The streets of London in an Olympic year will have an amazing atmosphere.'' Reuters DKB DB2249