Paula Radcliffe Reveals Simple Methods She Uses to Make Marathon Running Easier

Paula Radclife. Photo. Imago

Paula Radcliffe Reveals Simple Methods She Uses to Make Marathon Running Easier

Evans Ousuru 12:30 - 03.05.2025

Marathon legend Paula Radcliffe explains te simple tricks she uses to run marathons and why she's stayed fitter in the discipline.

Marathon legend Paula Radcliffe has opened up about what has kept her long in running, revealing the ingredients for success.

After the success of the London marathon, hundreds of thousands have already applied for next year's event as the sport becomes ever more popular.

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Radcliffe is a long-distance running icon with three London and New York Marathon victories and a women's world record that stood for an impressive 16 years under their belt. She is well versed with the tips that are applicable in the 26.2 mile distance and how one can navigate the rigors of the race.

The 51-year-old told Surrey Live that she always trusts her instincts no matter the situation. "When I'm in my difficult spots I would count in my head. It's all a distraction isn't it, but by the time you've worked it all out, 'oh that's 500 meters gone now' it's taken me that long to work it out."

Whether you're heading out for your first 5km or gearing up for an ultra-marathon, all runs can be tough to complete, keeping your legs moving when everything tells you to stop is a feat no matter your ability.

Fellow runner and former McFly drummer Harry Judd, agreed that he does the similar thing to pass his runs but instead works through little calculations. "I start doing the maths, even though I've done it 100 times I still can't remember it and 'it's probably 3km left that's 400, 800, 1200,1600 okay that's seven times around the track and I don't count the last kilometre because that's for free' it's all that kind of stuff."

The pair also suggested several other ways to keep yourself distracted during the depths of a tough race. Simple tricks like trying to find somebody with some distinct clothing or outfit that you can use as a marker to catch up or even just looking at all the supporters, reading their signs and high-fiving kids can all be little things to keep you distracted.

Radcliffe's career accolades

Paula Radcliffe Reveals Simple Methods She Uses to Make Marathon Easier
Paula Radcliffe

Radcliffe ended her competitive running career at the 2015 London Marathon,[6] although she later entered the 2025 editions of the Tokyo and Boston marathons.

Her running has earned her a number of accolades including the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Laureus World Comeback of the Year, IAAF World Athlete of the Year, AIMS World Athlete of the Year (three times) and a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

She has also been nominated for World Sportswoman of the year on several occasions. In 2010, she was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the Loughborough University Hall of Fame in 2015.