Toe injury forces Radcliffe to withdraw from London Marathon
Paula Radcliffe will not race in the 2008 London Marathon
Thursday, 06, Mar 2008 11:34
Three-time former London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe has been forced to withdraw from this year's race due to a toe tendon injury.
The 34-year-old, who is the current world record holder for the distance, suffered the injury to her right foot while on altitude training in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
And it comes at a bad time as Radcliffe was looking to step up her preparations in the April 13th race to boost her bid to win gold at the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer.
"I am desperately disappointed that I have to pull out of this year's race," said Radcliffe.
"I love running in London and this race would have been the perfect test for me before the Olympic Games.
"But in marathon training there are no short cuts and there is simply not enough time to be in the shape I want to be in to run well in London. Now I must concentrate on being as well prepared as possible for Beijing."
Radcliffe won the London Marathon in 2002, 2003 and 2005 and was set to be one of the main draws for crowds on the streets of the English capital next month.
And while race director David Bedford admitted it is "a major blow" to lose the Scot, he supported her decision to be cautious about recovering from what she has called a "minor" injury.
"We understand that her priority in 2008 is to be in peak condition for the Olympic Games and we wish her all the best for a speedy return to full fitness," he said.
"Even without Paula we will still have a very strong international women's field on April 13th and I am sure the race will be as exciting as ever."