The 38-year-old Romanian picked up the gold in Beijing but has never finished the London Marathon higher than the third place she gained in 2007.

BBC: Radcliffe set for London return

Radcliffe's return to form in New York and in the Great South Run came after a disappointing display at the Beijing Olympics where she finished 23rd in the Marathon.

BBC: Radcliffe set for London return

Radcliffe, who finished 23rd in the marathon at the Olympics after her build-up to Beijing was hampered by a stress fracture of her left thigh, showed no signs of fatigue.

BBC: Superb Radcliffe wins Great South

The jury is still out on whether Beijing will manage to produce air sufficiently breathable for runners safely to complete a marathon.

ECONOMIST: The Beijing Olympics

German runner Mikitenko missed Beijing through injury but followed up her return with victory in September's Berlin Marathon and last month was crowned the 2007-08 World Marathon Majors champion.

BBC: Radcliffe set for London return