Paula Radcliffe prepares for the New York marathon

The finishing touches are being put into place for the New York Marathon, with Paula Radcliffe hoping to defend her title. Radcliffe is returning to New York after being sidelined with a foot injury earlier this year. The Brit, who had bunion surgery in March, made her first start of 2009 when she won the New York City half-marathon in August. "I'm just really glad to be here and on that start line. After the year I've had, I feel that my preparations have gone well for this race and I'm just excited to get out there and enjoy the race," said Radcliffe. The 35-year-old has won the event three times, including the last two years and she is hoping to be victorious once again. Looking past Sunday's race, Radcliffe says she still has her sights set on running in the Olympics in London in 2012. "That's kind of my little unfinished goal with the sport. I don't really feel that I've been to an Olympics and competed as well as I'm capable of doing, so it's very important to get that chance in 2012," she said. "The fact that it's in Britain, my home country is added incentive and added motivation."

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ITN | October 30, 2009

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