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The Ethiopian has the second fastest marathon time in history (02:01:41), falling two seconds off Eliud Kipchoge’s world record last year in Berlin
This means the long-awaited battle with reigning quadruple champion Kipchoge on Sunday is over, with the Kenyan now the big favorite.
The 38-year-old said: « I am very disappointed I picked up a niggle in my left calf after two quick workouts too close together
« I really thought I would be ready, but today it’s worse and now I know I can’t run on it
« This race was so important to me My stay in Berlin last year gave me a lot of confidence and motivation
« I will take the time to recover and get back in shape and hope to be back in London next year »
Bekele admitted this week that he had problems trying to run in the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%, the latest carbon fiber clad shoe released by the sports company – which Kipchoge will wear on Sunday and used for his unofficial sub-two hour-long marathon in Vienna last year
« Several times I have had minor injuries, such as a muscle stretch, because the shoe is not stable under the foot, » said Bekele
« It’s really shapeless It’s really soft Muscle needs to adjust to movement underneath It’s really hard »
Virgin Money London Marathon Director Hugh Brasher admitted his disappointment at the news but insisted he was excited about the potential of fellow Bekele, Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun, who finished second and third last year
Brasher said: “The world has been waiting to see this face to face between Kenenisa Bekele and Eliud Kipchoge, but that will not happen again this Sunday We know how disappointed he is and we wish him a speedy recovery
“It was probably never a two-man race because we had four of the top ten fastest marathoners of all time and six men on the field who broke 2:05 including Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun, second. and third last year and 2018 runner-up Shura Kitata «
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Marathon, London Marathon, Kenenisa Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge
News from around the world – GB – Kenenisa Bekele withdraws from the London Marathon
