NORTHWICH-born distance runner Paula Radcliffe took on the world's best athletes and the oppressive heat to win a World Championship silver medal in the 10,000 metres in Seville.

Her time of 30 minutes 27.13 seconds shaved 13 seconds off the British record she set earlier this year as well as setting a new Commonwealth record.

Her brave run - she led the field throughout the race as temperatures soared to 90 degrees - also makes her the fifth fastest woman ever in the event.

The remarkable run has been described as the best ever performance in the 10,000m by a British woman by the man who introduced Radcliffe to athletics.

Coach George Bunner encouraged Radcliffe's athletic ambitions between the ages of seven and 13 at Frodsham Harriers.

He said: "Paula's effort was truly amazing. Brendan Foster described it as the second best performance by a British woman at that distance.

"I disagree. She ran the fifth fastest time ever in the most appaling conditions and has become the fastest ever British woman.

"I think it was the greatest. You can't call that display second best."

Radcliffe set the pace and only Ethiopia's Gete Wami and Kenya's Tegla Loroupe were in contention at the half-way stage as she set her sights on repeating Liz McColgan's 1991 gold medal win.

She continued to push but the Ethiopian always looked comfortable hanging on in second and it was no surprise when she kicked for home with 250m to go.

Radcliffe couldn't respond but, with teeth gritted, gave it her all and staggered across the line for silver.

Speaking after the race she said: "I had a number of strategies at the start of the race but the way it turned out was me going to the front.

"I know people might have thought that this was the wrong tactic but I felt good and when I saw people dropping off the back that gave me a boost."

The former Loughborough University student, who grew up in Frodsham before moving to Bedford will now be hoping she can go one better in Sydney next October.

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