Haining back in the running

(PA)

Deep down, Hayley Haining must have harboured hopes of hitting more dizzying heights in 2008. Yesterday, though, the Scotswoman who prepared in vain for the Olympic marathon was more than happy with the view from her hotel room above Manhattan. "I can hardly believe I'm here looking down on Central Park," she said. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time."

Haining could have been excused for looking forward to the Olympic marathon in Beijing when it emerged in May that Radcliffe had suffered a stress fracture of the left femur. The Great Britain selectors put the marathon world record holder's old junior cross-country rival on standby as reserve.

When it came to the race on 17 August the 36-year-old was at home watching a far-from-fit Radcliffe limp to 23rd place. Her compensation was a place in one of the world's major races and it just so happens that a now-fit Radcliffe will be lining up with her in the New York Marathon on Sunday.

"There are absolutely no grounds for any ill feeling between Paula and I," Haining said. "I always understood I was reserve."