Dita continues to defy the years in London marathon

By John Mehaffey

LONDON (Reuters) - Olympic champion Constantina Dita will continue to defy the years by attempting to win the women's London marathon on Sunday (0800 GMT) for the first time in eight attempts.

Dita, 39, the surprise victor in the Beijing Games marathon last year, told a news conference on Thursday she thought age was no barrier for top class runners.

"Age is not important," she said. "When you feel the body is good for running, you can run for many years."

Twice world champion Catherine Ndereba, who finished second behind Dita in Beijing, echoed the Romanian's sentiments.

The 36-year-old Kenyan said age was immaterial and added she hoped to compete at the 2012 London Olympics.

"Constantina was 38 when she won her gold," Ndereba said. "My body is holding up, so for 2012 who knows? I will be there."

Their views are encouraging news for Britain's world record holder Paula Radcliffe, whose Olympic ambitions in 2004 and 2008 were thwarted by illness and injury.

Radcliffe, who will be 38 at the time of the 2012 Games, pulled out of this year's London race because of a broken toe.