• Athletics

I do not fear Radcliffe - Shobukhova

ESPN staff
April 14, 2011
Liliya Shobukhova will defend her London Marathon title on Sunday © PA Photos
Enlarge

World No. 1 Liliya Shobukhova insists she does not fear the return of world record holder Paula Radcliffe.

Shobukhova returns to the UK to defend her London Marathon title on Sunday, but will not come up against Radcliffe, who not will return to competition until May following the birth of her second child last year.

The pair could meet later this year in either Chicago or Berlin, and are expected to go head-to-head for the Olympic title at London 2012 next summer.

"I respect her but I don't fear her," Shobukhova said. "Paula is great runner but it's a race. You can win you can lose. It doesn't matter who is in the race. She is the same as any runner coming to the starting line."

Radcliffe's world record is five minutes faster than Shobukhova's personal best of two hours 20 min 25sec, and despite her sprint finish she admits Radcliffe will be hard to beat.

"If Paula runs 2:15 or 2:17 it will be hard to be with her at the finish line. I don't know what my speed would be like then," she said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices