Paula Radcliffe's Running '08

Well, it's official. The women's marathon world record (2:15.25) holder and NYCM defending champion will be back this year! I'm hoping that she turns in another thrilling performance this year following her "poor" 23rd placing in Beijing, ensuring that in Beijing both the men's and women's marathon world record holders ended up with no medals. Haile bounced back with an out of this world performance by breaking his own world record at Berlin and now I'm wondering if Paula is ready for a great performance after her string of injuries. Obviously New York isn't a fast course but if she can dig in for a battle with Kara Goucher (whom she lost to in London earlier this year), it should make a good race. With 2nd placed Gete Wami and barely-out-of-her-teens Dire Tune also in the mix, who knows?

For a recent interview with this fierce competitor please head on to Runners World.

The foursome join Olympians Abdi Abdirahman, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, and Katie McGregor, upcoming youngsters Jason Lehmkuhle, James Carney, and Josh Rohatinsky in the elite category to toe the line on Nov 2nd. Then there's former champions - Hendrick Ramaala (2004), Paul Tergat (2005) and Marilson Gomes (2006). Even after losing Lance Armstrong to Chicago, this year's NYCM will still pack a hefty star power.