FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Broken toe rules Radcliffe out of the Flora London Marathon
Paula Radcliffe has been forced to pull out of this year's Flora London
Marathon because of a broken toe.
The world marathon record holder, who was aiming to win her fourth Flora
London Marathon title on Sunday 26th April, sustained the injury to her
right second toe, caused while altitude training at her base in
Albuquerque, New Mexico on Tuesday this week. An earlier issue with a
ganglion on the same foot had been resolved and the medical opinion is that
this caused the foot mechanics to alter.
"I am desperately disappointed that I have to pull out of this year's
race," said Radcliffe, who was London Marathon champion in 2002, 2003 and
2005, "especially as I was looking forward to running in front of the
amazing crowds of spectators in London that always offer such great
support.
I am considering surgery to get myself totally healthy as soon as
physically possible and ultimately prevent the bunion causing any future
problems."
Although the 2005 world marathon champion admits the injury is a blow to
her plans. She will reassess her future plans once free from injury.
Commenting on Radcliffe's withdrawal from this year's race, Flora London
Marathon race director Dave Bedford said: "This is a major blow for Paula.
I know how much she wanted to run here this year but luck just does not
seem to be on her side.
Paula's priority must now be to get fully fit hopefully for the World
Championships and we wish her all the best for a speedy recovery.
Even without Paula, however, the elite women's field for 26th April is
still one of the strongest we've ever had in London and I am sure the race
will be a superb spectacle."
The women's field includes the defending champion and World Marathon Majors
winner, Irina Mikitenko of Germany, the Olympic champion, Constantina Dita
of Romania, world champion and Olympic Silver medallist Catherine Ndereba
of Kenya, China's Olympic bronze medallist and 2007 Flora London Marathon
champion Zhou Chunxiu, plus the double Chicago champion and Ethiopian
record holder Berhane Adere.
There's also Adere's compatriot Gete Wami, the 2007 World Marathon Majors
champion who was third last year, the veteran Russian Svetlana Zakharova,
who was second in 2008, and her compatriot Lyudmila Petrova.
Three of the elite line-up have run quicker than 2 hours 20 minutes and
eight have run a marathon faster than 2:22.
There is still considerable British interest too with Mara Yamauchi, sixth
in the Olympic Games, seeking her first place on the London podium.
The following is a full list of entrants for the elite women's race and
their personal best times:
Irina Mikitenko GER 2:19:19
Catherine Ndereba KEN 2:18:47
Zhou Chunxiu CHN 2:19:51
Berhane Adere ETH 2:20:42
Lyudmila Petrova RUS 2:21:29
Constantina Dita ROM 2:21:30
Svetlana Zakharova RUS 2:21:31
Gete Wami ETH 2:21:34
Yuri Kano JPN 2.24.27
Tomo Morimoto JPN 2.24.33
Mara Yamauchi GBR 2:25:03
Martha Komu KEN 2:25:33
Mika Okunaga JPN 2.27.52
Kirsten Melkevik Otterbu NOR 2:29:12
Inga Abitova RUS 2:33:55
Kate O'Neill USA 2:34:04
Liliya Shobukhova RUS Debut
Jo Pavey GBR Debut
For more information, visit www.london-marathon.co.uk/.
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