IT may not have been a world or European record but smashing the best time for 10,000m ever seen at Gateshead still held great significance for Paula Radcliffe.

The darling of British women's distance running knocked around two minutes off the mark in crossing the line in 30:17.15 at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix at the International Stadium here yesterday.

In doing so she qualified for the Athens Olympics in the event, meaning she now has the choice of either running this or the marathon in six weeks' time. Doing both was out of the question, she said.

There was never any doubt that Radcliffe would win; what everyone wanted was to see her etch her name once more into the record books.

However, in the end, despite lapping runner after runner and giving her all down the home straight, a strong wind meant anything better than the stadium best was beyond even her reach.

"I didn't think it was too bad for the first part of the race," she said.

"And then it seemed to change direction from the back straight to the bend and it started to get pretty strong.

"I knew it was a tall order in those conditions but I just figured that I would just try and stick on pace as long as I could and see just how far I could go.

"I knew it was going to be painful at the end but I knew also that I wasn't going to die, not get the time or get caught so I really just went for it for as long as I could."

Radcliffe, in her first outing on a British track since winning the 5,000m final at the Commonwealth Games two years ago, said it was a shame about the conditions.

However, she added: "It was probably counteracted by the support I got from the crowd and the fact it's just nice to be back on the track in Britain, so it balances out."

"It's the second fastest time that I have ever run.

"I would have like to have run faster than that but as I have said you have to take into consideration the conditions."

Asked how much difference the wind made she said with a smile: "It's impossible to say. I'd like to say 18 seconds but I don't know."

Radcliffe said she expected to have another run out prior to Athens.

"I probably will have another race but whether it will be track or road at this stage I don't know," she said. "I am now qualified for both the marathon and the 10k but it is impossible to do both.

"It is very nice to have the option. There is a lot of expectation on me but I am feeling good at the moment."

Another Briton gunning for gold is 400m hurdler Chris Rawlinson.

He won his event yesterday, finishing in a season's best 48.58. Nick Stewart of Canada was second in 50.17 and Alwyn Myburgh of South Africa third in 50.26.

However, Rawlinson was seeking bigger fish to fry.

"I am ranked fourth or fifth in the world now and have beaten all the guys apart from Felix Sanchez in front of me and I am progressing towards the Olympics," he said, talking up his chances of seeing off the Dominican Republic ace who he will come across once prior to the big day.

"Everybody says they are aiming for gold. If you accept anything less you are bound to fail so I am going there to win gold.

"I want to beat him sometime before I get there because I feel if he gets beaten his confidence will take such a dent that he will believe Sydney 2000 is coming around again and I think that will destroy him.

"At the moment he is Superman as his tattoo shows - he is invulnerable.

"But a number of us want to show that he is vulnerable.

"I race against him in Rome next week so I will pick lane two again and I will launch my assault from the inside as I did in Bergen.

"We used to be very good friends but I don't see him as much now. It's not a personal thing, it's just that it will do a lot for my image and my confidence to beat someone who hasn't been beaten for three years. I am in a no lose situation."