Radcliffe spearheads GB team for World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham

PAULA Radcliffe will lead British hopes at next month's IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham.

MIXED FORM: Paula Radcliffe romped to victory in New York but was subsequently forced to withdraw from the World Championship marathon (Getty Images)

Radcliffe has endured a frustrating year, missing April's London Marathon with a fractured toe.

The 35-year-old - world record holder over the full distance - returned in August to win the New York City Half Marathon - missing out on the course record by two seconds.

But Radcliffe subsequently withdrew from the World Championship marathon - a title she won in 2005 - in Berlin over concerns about her fitness.

The Bedford and County athlete will be back in action in the Midlands, with UK Athletics naming a full team - five men and five women - for the race on October 11.

And team leader Ian Stewart insists the return of Radcliffe is a major boost to Great Britain's medal hopes.

"This is a great chance to support a home championship with full teams, and I'm delighted that will be the case in Birmingham," said Stewart.

"It's a new course, in a city of people who will really get behind our athletes.

"Not only are they in a position to show what they can do in front of a home crowd, but they have a genuine opportunity to fight for decent team positions.

"We're pleased to have Paula on the team and optimistic that we can win medals."

With Mara Yamauchi sidelined through injury, Radcliffe is joined by trials winner Claire Hallissey, Alyson Dixon, Gemma Miles and Rebecca Robinson.

Salford Harrier Tomas Abyu, winner of the men's trial, declined his spot in the team to focus his preparations on the Berlin Marathon on September 20.

That leaves Andi Jones, Andrew Lemoncello, Mark Miles, Gareth Raven and Phil Wicks to fly the British flag in the men's race.