February 11, 2009 3:56 PM

Marathon Mom

By
Bianca Solorzano
Chen Guangcheng talks with people after speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Thursday, May 31, 2012. Guangcheng is a blind Chinese activist whose dramatic escape from a house arrest culminated in a flight to the U.S. this month. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Chen Guangcheng talks with people after speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Thursday, May 31, 2012. Guangcheng is a blind Chinese activist whose dramatic escape from a house arrest culminated in a flight to the U.S. this month. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig)

Talk about bouncing back after baby.

Just nine months after giving birth, 33-year-old world record holder Paula Radcliffe was the fastest woman in today's New York City Marathon, reports CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano.

Radcliffe ran almost the entire race with Gete Wami on her heels. Then within the last mile, Radcliffe poured on a dramatic burst of energy, a final sprint, and pulled away.

She crossed the finish line in 2:23:09 and then held one thing that made the win even more impressive. No, not that trophy -- her baby.

Radcliffe last won the New York City Marathon in 2004.

But before today she hadn't run in a marathon in two years.

Radcliffe became pregnant in 2006, but that didn't stop her training. She ran the entire time, at least an hour a day, up until the day before she gave birth. And just 12 days after having her daughter, Isla, Radcliffe was back out running again.

Angela O'Conner has run seven marathons. She is now a week away from giving birth to her second child.

"I can not imagine," said O'Conner, when asked if she could train like Radcliffe. "It's taxing to be pregnant and it's so impressive to be able to run during the pregnancy part. At the level she runs, she's such a phenomenal runner."

A sportswoman and an inspiration for new mothers.

Radcliffe has her sights set on next year's Beijing Olympics.

A marathon winner today, a mother forever.
Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved.
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