Athletics: Radcliffe Hails Marathon Series

A new half-a-million dollar marathon circuit involving the five biggest races in the world, including London, has been welcomed by Britain's world record holder and world champion, Paula Radcliffe.

The World Marathon Major Series will begin in Boston in April as part of a two-year cycle where runners will score points for where they finish in the leading events, including the Olympic Games and world championships. The overall winners of the men's and women's events will receive $500,000 (£280,000) each - with the organizers hoping that prize money will double once interest from sponsors grows. The other events involved are the Chicago, New York and Berlin marathons.

"I am excited about the announcement. It is a big step forward for the sport, the events and the athletes, that there has been this united stand from some of the major marathons," said Radcliffe. "The results can be only positive and having experience of three of the events involved, I am convinced that their combined expertise will help the sport immensely."

Based on her performances in 2004-05 Radcliffe would have finished second in the series having won in London and New York and claimed the gold medal at the world championships last year. The winner would have been Kenya's Catherine Ndereba, who competed in more races than the Bedford runner. Under the new system, runners will receive 25 points for a victory down to one for finishing fifth.

David Bedford, the director of the London Marathon, said: "There is now an additional benefit from being there because of a points total to be added to their own score," he said. "It will make our top runners and champions more recognizable to the public. I am sure it will be a system that will give us the best champion."