By Matt Slater

Paula Radcliffe is 'gutted' to be missing the London Marathon

"In the week before a race, I try to stay away from germ areas. I keep disinfectant wipes in my bag for when I have to use a supermarket trolley or something like that."

As far as top tips go for first-time marathon runners, keeping your hands clean is not one that sprung to my mind.

Choosing the right shorts, working out where to meet your mates afterwards and booking a day-off on Monday...yes, yes and yes.

Taking precautions for dealing with supermarket trolleys? No, can't say I would have thought of that...in a million years.

But then I haven't got a young daughter/germ magnet at home and I haven't won six of the seven marathons I've entered.