Bedford hails record-breaking marathon

London marathon race director David Bedford today described the 25th London Marathon as the greatest in the event's history after record crowds watched Paul Radcliffe triumph for a third time.

Up to 750,000 people lined the capital's streets on a day when marathon records tumbled.

Radcliffe ran the fastest ever time (2:17:42) for a women-only race, while the number of participants starting (35,680) and finishing (34,174 at 7pm yesterday) comfortably exceeded the London Marathon's previous best.

"What a day!", said Bedford. "Paula back on top where she belongs, the biggest number of starters, the biggest number of finishers, the biggest crowds - it's the greatest ever London Marathon.

"People keep saying, 'How do you follow that up?' but the London Marathon keeps on providing surprise after surprise. I am absolutely chuffed."

Radcliffe, who apologised to the nation after answering a call of nature during the race, was taken aback by the unprecedented levels of support, which she hopes will influence London's 2012 Olympic bid.

She said: "You can't not give [the Olympics] to London if the crowds are as good as that."

Radcliffe also maintains she can beat her world-record time of 2:15:25 if the conditions are right and she avoids the stomach cramps that hindered her yesterday.

The 31-year-old will now turn her attention to the World Championships in Helsinki this summer. She has yet to decide whether to compete in the 10,000m or the marathon.

She said: "I would like to win a World Championship on the track and I would like to win a World Championship marathon, so it's a difficult decision."