Jenny Nesbitt is being described as the ‘next Paula Radcliffe’ after beating the marathon world record holder.
The Loughborough College sport name was first woman home while athletics legend Paula Radcliffe finished third in front of thousands of spectators who had turned out to see runners from across the country and the world compete in the Worcester City10k.
The 19 year old, who studied on Loughborough College’s UK Athletics AASE programme, was racing the distance for the first time and clocked 34.21 to finish two spots ahead of Radcliffe. Nesbitt was over a minute clear of runner-up Jenny Sykes, with 35.38.
A Commonwealth 5,000m gold medallist, European 10,000m champion and marathon gol medalist at the World Championships, Radcliffe won the London Marathon 11 years ago in a world record time of 2.15:25. The Worcester event was intended as her return to action after the Austria half marathon in April 2012, ahead of finishing her career at next year’s London Marathon.
Nesbitt said: “It was such a great experience and a fantastic day, to be running next to one of my biggest role models.
"I am ecstatic to have won. I wasn't looking behind me but at one point when I was coming across Worcester Bridge I saw Paula on the other side and I thought, 'I've got her beat'.
"Although I'm thinking of university at the moment, running full-time is what I want to do. I'm going to try to represent Britain in the Olympics."
Dad Peter Nesbitt, 53, said: "I am very proud of her, to say she beat Paula on her very first 10K isn't bad is it?
"She could very well be the next Paula Radcliffe."