WATCH: Paula Radcliffe quotes classic Iron Maiden lyrics on BBC athletics coverage

Highly decorated long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe has outed herself as an Iron Maiden aficionado.

During the BBC’s coverage for the World Athletics Championships at London Stadium this week, Paula featured in a clip about the mental faculties a runner needs to take part in long-distance races.

She said: “The intricately woven physical and mental process that racing is all about is maybe best summed up by these words.”

Paula then proceeded to quote a series of lines from Iron Maiden’s 1986 song ‘The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner’, lifted from their sixth studio album ‘Somewhere in Time’.

The lyrics Paula recited are as follows:

With every step you tread

And every breath you take

Determination

Makes you run never stop

Got to win got to run 'til you drop

Keep the pace hold the race

I've got to keep running the course

I've got to keep running and win at

All costs

I've got to keep going be strong

Must be so determined and push myself on

Run on and on

Run on and on

A smiling Paula turned to the camera and said “everyone loves a bit of Iron Maiden”, before ‘The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner’ soundtracked montage clips of races from the Championships.

Back in the studio, host Gabby Logan commented: “Michael (Johnson – legendary US sprinter turned TV pundit) was very surprised to hear a bit of Iron Maiden there.

“We all thought Paula propelled herself to world marathon records with maybe a bit of Police, Fleetwood Mac. I never had her down as an Iron Maiden girl.”

Watch the brilliant clip in its entirety here:

• Iron Maiden