Radcliff out of London Marathon

Published on Tuesday 4 April 2006 01:24

PAULA Radcliffe will reassess her racing schedule during an enforced break after announc-ing yesterday that she will miss this month's Flora London Marathon because of a foot injury.

The runner, who returned early from her training base in America ten days ago for expert treatment, left it to the last possible moment before making her decision. The world marathon record-holder has been troubled by the same problem which forced her out of last month's Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres.

She came back from New Mexico to receive a week's treatment from top German surgeon Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt in Munich, and it is understood the injury - a knock-on effect after she bruised a toe on a training run last December - will not entail a long absence. Bone bruising can take months to settle, and rest may not necessarily help it clear up any faster.

With the London Marathon only 20 days away and boasting a world-class field, Radcliffe nonetheless had to accept she would not be in the right shape to chase a fourth title.

The 32-year-old said: "I have worked really hard over the past few months, so it is gutting now not to be able to take part. The Flora London Marathon is something that is extremely important to me, and I have done everything possible to resolve the problem and get to the start line."

"I have to accept that it needs a short period of total rest and I also have to focus on moving on from this and my future."

Also out of the race is the British men's No1 Jon Brown, sixth last year in a personal best of 2:09:31.

"I have been suffering from a foot problem recently which is clearing now, but has left me way behind in my training preparations," he said.