Berlin, Aug 20 (DPA) World record holder Paula Radcliffe of Britain won't run in Sunday's marathon at the world championships because she doesn't feel fit enough to charge for the gold medal.

The British federation UK Athletics announced the news Thursday, five days after Radcliffe had ran her first race in 10 months after foot surgery, winning a half marathon in New York.

'I am devastated that I wasn't able to be ready in time to represent Britain here in Berlin, especially having got so close in such a short time frame,' she said.

'However, after having the surgery to successfully put the years of injury behind me it is very important to me that I come back to racing often and winning at 100 per cent and continue strongly and successfully through to (the Olympics in) London 2012.'

British head coach Charles van Commenee said: 'To lose an athlete of Paula's calibre is disappointing to say the least.