Athletics: London Calling Again for Radcliffe

Paula Radcliffe, voted Britain's female athlete of the year for a record fifth time on Saturday evening, is already planning her campaign for 2006 by announcing she is to run in the Flora London Marathon next April. The world marathon record holder is to receive a £200,000 appearance fee as she attempts to win the race for the fourth time in five years.

Radcliffe has previously won London in 2002, 2003 and 2005, twice breaking the women's-only world record - in 2002 with 2hr 18min 56sec and last April with 2:17.42 - and setting a mixed world record in 2003 of 2:15.25.

It means Radcliffe will face a packed schedule next spring. She is already committed to representing England in the 5,000 metres or 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March and is expected to run the world cross country championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on her way home before competing in London on April 23. She will then take a rest before preparing to defend her 10,000m title at the European Championships in Gothenburg in August.

The early decision to commit herself to London will end speculation that Radcliffe might run in the Boston Marathon next spring. The American event is the only one of the world's major city marathons she has not won.

"It was quite a difficult decision," admitted Radcliffe. "I did think about the other options but, when it came down to it, London fitted into my race programme and the Commonwealth Games. I'm lucky to have one of the best marathons in the world in my home country, with all the support and all that atmosphere, which always helps to bring out your best."

David Bedford, London's race director, was delighted to have signed up his headline act so early. "This is great news and a real bonus for London to have Paula confirmed this early," he said. "We must now decide whether to run the race in women's-only or mixed-race conditions."

Radcliffe announced her decision as she collected the British Athletic Writers' Association female athlete of the year award in London on Saturday. It was the fifth time in seven years she has won the sport's oldest annual award and she was a unanimous choice, having won the marathons in London and at the world championships.

The men's award went to Jason Gardener, who added a third successive European 60m title in 2005, a record for British sprinters.

Emily Pidgeon's continuing progress was recognised when she was awarded the junior female athlete of the year. Pidgeon, 16, from Gloucestershire, won the 5,000m at the European Junior Championships in Lithuania and is seen as Radcliffe's eventual successor.

The male junior award was given to a 17-year-old, the Londoner Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who romped to victory in both the 100m and 200m at the World Youth Championships. He also scooped the Norwich Union Best Performance in a British vest for his exploits in 2005.