Record-breaking Paula backs new run for Jane’s fund

Radcliffe has delivered the message of support to more than 6,000 participants in the first ever Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon, which is backed by the Yorkshire Post and will be staged through the streets of York and surrounding villages tomorrow.

The sports star is a supporter of events staged by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All team, which is behind the new addition to the region’s athletics calendar and already organises 10k races in Leeds, York and Hull and a half-marathon in Leeds.

Radcliffe, a patron of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the runners in The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon the very best of luck, especially to all those running for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. Good luck and thank you very much for everything you do to support the appeal and honour Jane’s memory.”

A total of 6,100 runners will take part in the marathon, and entries have come from across the UK as well as France, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, the USA and the Caribbean. One of Yorkshire’s best known sporting figures, the former international cricket umpire Dickie Bird, will officially start the race at the University of York at 9.30am.

Mrs Tomlinson, from Leeds, raised nearly £2m for charity in gruelling sporting challenges despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer before her death in 2007.

Radcliffe holds the women’s world record for the marathon with a time of two hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds set at the London Marathon in 2003.

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