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| Paula Radcliffe's marathon world record of 2:15.25 that she set in London in 2003 remains untouched after a decade. (Getty Images) |
Why time stands still for the world's best women?
It is now more than 10 years since the women's marathon world record was set in London. And as Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo soared to victory in the English capital on Sunday, the irony was not lost in the woman who was helping describe her victory.
Paula Radcliffe, whose record time of 2:15:25 now seems more monumental than it was a decade ago, was in the BBC commentary as Jeptoo won in 2:20:15.
In a time where financial bonuses for breaking records remain high and sport is as competitive as ever, have women running 26.2 miles reached their peak?
Only one woman has threatened Radcliffe's time since then when Russian Liliya Shobukhova won in Chicago in 2011 in 2:18:20. It is still only the fourth quickest time behind Radcliffe's two world records and then the 2:17:42 that the Briton ran when she won London in 2005.
It is Radcliffe herself which has provided two of the most telling answers as to why her time has not been broken. Speaking to The Observer newspaper, Radcliffe said: 'Maybe it's because people are racing each other more than racing themselves.'
Speaking to the BBC, she added: 'It could be (broken) at any time. It just takes someone to get in really good shape, and get the right conditions on the day.'
Do fast times matter anymore?
Jeptoo ran a controlled race which at no stage had 'world record' written on it.
It was about the winning, which she did with a superb performance.
But maybe it is the fact that competition from your fellow teammates takes away that element of running for a record instead of running just for victory.Time will only provide that answer, but it is fair to assume that in 12 months, Radcliffe will still be at the top of that list. Read more....
THE WEEK JUST GONE
Athletics topped the headlines for the wrong reasons because of the tragedy in Boston. Equally with so many marathons over the weekend - from Annecy to Hamburg to London - it showed a stand of defiance in the way the sport reacted and paid respect to those who lost their lives and were injured in the two explosions. Sport might often be considered just a past-time to so many, but it has a way of bringing people together at times like nothing else.
THE WEEK AHEAD
As the road season starts to wind down after the end of the major marathons, the track season will increase in its intensity. One event is the Penn Relays in Philadelphia which take place between Thursday and Saturday this week. Definitely competing is double European 100m champion Christophe Lemaitre. It will be a tough start to his campaign against some leading Americans, but equally a good gauge as to how his winter has gone.
EUROPEAN LEADERS
Marathon:
MEN
1. 2:08:33 Abraham Kiprotich (FRA) Daegu (14 April)
2. 2:09:28 Ayad Lamdassem (ESP) London (21 April)
3. 2:10:18 Viktor Röthlin (SUI) Otsu (3 March)
WOMEN
1. 2:23:58 Tetyana Hamera-Shmyrko (UKR) Osaka (27 January)
2. 2:25:44 (NR) Lisa Stublić (CRO) Zürich (7 April)
3. 2:25:46 Je„¼ena Prokopčuka (LAT) Nagoya (10