Athletics: Wami wishes she was facing Raddiffe.

Byline: BY DAVID MARTIN Daily Post Correspondent

GETE WAMI wishes Paula Radcliffe was in the line-up for Sunday's Flora London Marathon, even though she admits it would have made her task a lot harder.

Radcliffe was forced to opt out of chasing a fourth London title after suffering a toe injury in the United States five weeks ago - although she has returned to full-time training in the past fortnight.

Wami and Radcliffe have fought some epic battles on the track, in cross-country races, and on the roads over the last decade, their most recent confrontation coming in November's New York Marathon.

"How is Paula, when will she be fit?" was the first question last year's World Marathon Majors overall winner asked upon arriving in London.

"I hoped she would be here as we always have exciting races and it would have been a much better race with her competing."

New York was the scene of both disappointment and joy for Wami.

She was left to rue Radcliffe's staying power after the Briton sprinted away to beat her in the last 400metres.

But second place was enough to land her the inaugural WMM crown and a cheque for EUR500,000.

"It's still in the bank untouched," said Wami, a self-made millionaire after glittering career which has seen her win World Championship track and cross-country gold medals and four marathon titles, including Berlin on the last two occasions.

Those victories have not come easily and Wami admits she is still learning every time she hits the roads, recalling in particular last April's London Marathon.

Wami failed to react to a breakaway by Zhou Chunxiu after 23 miles and lost by one minute seven seconds, as the Chinese became the first athlete from her country to win a major global title.

Wami said: "I didn't know who she was, which was a mistake, but I've done my homework on everybody for this year's race. I've now ran a few marathons but there is always something new to learn from each one."

CAPTION(S):

Gete Wami and Paula Radcliffe