Radcliffe comes second in America

Radcliffe had no answer to the durable Ochichi

Paula Radcliffe finished second behind Kenya's Isabella Ochichi in the New Orleans Crescent City Classic 10km.

The Bedford runner - the world record holder for the distance - fell behind early on and finished in 30 minutes 45 seconds, 18 seconds off the pace.

Radcliffe, running her first serious race since winning the New York marathon last November, is preparing for the London Marathon on 17 April.

"I'm not happy because I never like being beaten, but it's not a disaster."

Radcliffe, who finished ahead of third placed Sally Barsosio of Kenya, won the event seven years ago.

The marathon always had to come first, but I'm happy with my performance Paula Radcliffe

But Ochichi, the Olympic 5,000m silver medallist, continued her impressive recent form to secure her third successive victory in the event.

The Kenyan's time was the fastest 10km time run by a woman in America and was just six seconds outside Radcliffe's world record.

Radcliffe believes the race was a good warm-up for the London Marathon.

She said: "My legs early on felt a little flat, and maybe I should have backed off on some the miles I was running before coming to this race.

"But they needed to be done and really, I didn't prepare specifically for this race as I might have done.

"The marathon always had to come first, but I'm happy with my performance."