Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe has withdrawn from the upcoming World Half Marathon Championships to be held in Birmingham this weekend due to tonsillitis.
It is the latest in a series of setbacks for the 36 year old who has been struggling with injury problems all year, which caused her to withdraw from the Athletics Championships in Berlin in August.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Related stories
Athletics: Radcliffe to race in New York
Athletics: Paula Radcliffe pulls out of the World Championship marathon
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Radcliffe is a former World Half Marathon champion on three occasions was hoping to lead the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team in a home championship.
Radcliffe said: “I’m devastated not to be able to compete in Birmingham this weekend. The World Half Marathon is a great opportunity for our athletes to compete in front of a home crowd and I’m disappointed I can’t be part of that.
“It’s very important to me to be able to pull on a GB vest and do my best in a major championship, but unfortunately, having developed tonsillitis over the weekend, I’m now on a course of antibiotics.”
She will be replaced in the team by first reserve Michelle Ross-Cope.
Radcliffe will be hoping the illness clears quickly so she can resume training for the New York marathon next month, where she will be aiming to claim the title for the fourth time to equal Grete Waitz’s record.
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
