Great Britain’s Mara Yamauchi will miss this year’s London Marathon due to a hamstring injury.
The Japan-based athlete who finished second in the 2009 race in the capital, with a blistering personal best time of 2:23:12, has had little success since, enduring a long list of injury problems.
The 37-year-old suffered a foot injury after the 2009 marathon which meant her missing the World Athletics Championships that year and consequently missing out on a medal chance.
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With a fairly disappointing run in 2010’s London Marathon, having tolerated a six-day journey to London due to the volcanic ash disruption, she decided to miss the European Championships last year and focus on achieving the qualifying time for London 2012.
Holding the second fastest time ever run by a British woman over the marathon, behind world-record holder Paula Radcliffe, Yamauchi has said that rehab is now her priority with 2012 not far away.
She said: “I was looking forward to returning to London this April. But my injury treatment and rehabilitation must take priority. I hope to return to my best as soon as I can. I wish everyone who competes on 17 April the best of luck.”
The British athlete was one of 15 women revealed in the elite line-up who have finished a marathon in under two hours 25 minutes.
Britain’s hopes in the women’s event now rest with former Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Liz Yelling, plus first marathon appearances from Yelling’s sister-in-law Hayley Yelling, and experienced international Jo Pavey.
Emma Paton, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
