Paula Radcliffe makes competitive return in London 10km

Paula Radcliffe will make her long‑awaited return to competitive running in the London 10km on Monday. The 37-year-old marathon world record holder took a career break to have her second child, Raphael, who was born last September in Monaco, but was then forced to delay her comeback two weeks ago when she withdrew from the Great Manchester Run after struggling with bronchitis. Now back to full health, Radcliffe is determined to get her schedule on track as she uses the summer months to build up for an autumn marathon, and ultimately a chance to beat the 2012 Olympic qualifying time of 2hr 31min. "It's been a very long time away from racing so I'm looking forward to getting back out there," said Radcliffe. "I was especially disappointed to miss Manchester as I was really looking forward to it. "I had a bad bronchitis and laryngitis attack which really flared up my asthma. I ended up on very strong antibiotics and only able to jog for a week and then didn't get back to workouts for another ten days or so. The bronchitis has now cleared up, and the asthma is back under control." Of her aims for the 10km race, in which British team‑mate Mo Farah will compete in the men's event, Radcliffe said: "It is about building up back to being in top shape for a marathon in the autumn and especially next year in London. It is a long time since I raced and seems to have been a hard slog back so I just want to get out and start racing well and build up to better for next year." Focusing on preparations for 2012 means that the former 10,000m world champion has effectively ruled out any chance of competing for Great Britain at this summer's World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, as she instead targets an autumn marathon. "It isn't looking so likely now. The priority is the marathon and qualifying for next year. Travelling so far shortly before a marathon to race 10,000m on the track doesn't really fit in very well."