Derartu Tulu led an Ethiopian one-two-three, with Berhane Adere taking the silver and Gete Wami the bronze.

" I didn't go hard enough and maybe I didn't go soon enough," said the Briton.

"I'll keep coming back and keep trying. It was the same with the world cross country championships, but that eventually paid off in the end."

Resistance broken

Radcliffe was in a leading group of about 12 athletes with just over four laps remaining, before making a decisive break for home.

The Briton, who closely guarded her tactics before the race, tried to shrug off the challenge of the three Ethiopians but ultimately failed.

Her resistance was finally broken 300 metres from the finish as Tulu and Adere carried out their own personal duel as the Briton battled with Wami for the bronze.

Tulu won in a time 31 minutes 48.81 seconds with Radcliffe finishing 31.50.06.