Radcliffe was asked to provide a urine sample the day before her three-month scan and according to the rules had to declare her pregnancy - it was earlier than she would have liked.

Paula told The Times that she wanted to get back running as soon as possible, adding:

"If you are happy, you run better. I have been competing since 1991, so the rest will do me good and it probably won' t do my body any harm to be challenged in a different direction. Mentally I will have fulfilled one of my life goals, so I will return more mature and with the wisdom that is part of being a mother."