22 October 2024
| THE HEARTBEAT OF WOMEN'S SPORT

London marathon: Freya Ross withdraws due to injury

April 16, 2024
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Freya Ross has been forced to withdraw from Sunday’s Virgin London Marathon with an injury to her right hip.

The Olympian, who was expected to be Britain’s leading athlete in this year’s women’s race, joins fellow British runner and marathon debutante Helen Clitheroe in dropping out of the race.

Ross, who made her debut at the London Marathon in 2012 and ran for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, has been suffering from “a small strain” around the top of her hamstring, while a bout of flu forced Clitheroe to miss several training sessions in March.

“I’m really disappointed I’ve had to withdraw,” said Ross, who has a marathon best of 2:28:10 set on her London debut. “Training had been going well for the last few weeks and I was looking forward to running in London.

“The injury problem started last Monday with a niggle in my right hip. It seemed insignificant and I didn’t think it would affect me. However, over the next few days it worsened and I now can’t run pain free.”

Although disappointed, Ross is confident the injury will improve quickly with rest and that she will be competing again soon.

Clitheroe, who was to run her first marathon in London, now hopes to make her 26.2 mile debut later this year.

The absence of Ross leaves Amy Whitehead and Susan Partridge to lead the British challenge in the women’s race. Whitehead finished 20th last year while Partridge has represented Britain at World and European championships as well as the Commonwealth Games.

Sportsister, The Women’s Sports Magazine

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