English long-distance runner grateful for fitting London Marathon finale

Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe said her final race was emotional, as she fittingly finished first in her London Marathon section.

Radcliffe, not competing under the elite banner, crossed the finish line in two hours, 36 minutes and 55 seconds in London - where she won in 2002, '03 (world record) and '05.

The 41-year-old was moved in the final stages.

"It was so special, and so emotional," Radcliffe said.

"To have today, and that to add to all of my special memories from all the different London Marathons over the years, is a really unique experience.

"I was trying to take it in as much as possible and it will stay with me forever and I'm really grateful for the chance to go out and take part in that, the streets of London and people of London and the London Marathon.

"It wasn't hitting me that the career is over, it was hitting me how much support is out there.

"I think the whole way along it had been like that.

"It was like 'I want to finish because my body is tired but I don't want to finish because this is so special' and I couldn't believe how many people were out on that route today.

"It was so special."

Radcliffe finished more than 13 minutes behind race winner Ethiopia's Tigist Tufa (2:23:22), although her world record of 2:15:25 was never under threat.

"That's one of them [career highlights], even though it's the slowest marathon time in my career," Radcliffe said.

"That's one of the most special, just to have that experience.

"There are so many special experiences, so many people that I've met, so many places that I've been to that I wouldn't have had the chance without running as my hobby, and I've been lucky enough to have it as my career as well."

Despite her 'slow' time, Radcliffe topped the timesheets in the 'club, charity and ballot' section, as she elected not to run in the elite group - which would have placed her 20th.