Sport
Paula Radcliffe’s 'funny' run-in with Williamsburg’s Orthodox community
The former long-distance runner recounted her experience running through one of New York’s largest Jewish communities
August 8, 2022 11:36
The former long-distance runner recounted her experience running through one of New York’s largest Jewish communities
August 8, 2022 11:36Former long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe MBE has spoken about her experience running through one of New York’s largest Jewish communities.
In a recent interview with The Times, the three-time New York Marathon winner was asked which moment of her career was the “funniest”.
Radcliffe, who ended her competitive career in 2015, recounted running through Williamsburg, Brooklyn while competing in the city’s annual marathon.
“It’s quite an Orthodox Jewish area and they don’t believe the marathon, especially with women in shorts, should go through there,” she said.
“A group of Rabbis crossed the road, very slowly, right in front of us. Everybody, including the camera bike, had to swerve around them.”
Radcliffe previously tweeted about her experience in the neighbourhood following the 2017 marathon, writing: "Today I watched a mother in Williamsburg cover her young boy’s eyes as the elite women ran by!"
Today I watched a mother in Williamsburg cover her young boy’s eyes as the elite women ran by!
— Paula Radcliffe (@paulajradcliffe) November 5, 2017
Brooklyn is home to one of the world's largest Jewish communities, about half of which identify as strictly Orthodox.
The community observes a number of religious commandments regarding physical modesty for both genders, and recreational sport is often forbidden for adults.
Radcliffe also told the Times that while she does not “believe in regrets” her husband, former runner Gary Lough who she met at Loughborough University, thinks she should not “have worked my arse off for my Modern European Studies degree” because she’s “never used it and could have spent more time training.”
She advised young sportspeople to "put everything in perspective," quipping: "It's just sport."