Hamstring Blow Puts Yamauchi Out of Virgin London Marathon

Britain’s Mara Yamauchi has been ruled out of this year’s Virgin London Marathon with a hamstring injury.

The Japan-based runner was hoping for a return to form after two disappointing performances in 2010, in London last April and at the New York marathon in November.

But with the London 2012 Olympics on the horizon, Britain’s main hope for the race on 17 April has been forced to concentrate on treatment and rehabilitation.

She said: “I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the 2011 Virgin London Marathon due to a hamstring injury. London is an iconic marathon which I have enjoyed racing many times.

“I was looking forward to returning to London this April. But my injury treatment and rehabilitation must take priority, especially with the 2012 London Olympics approaching fast.

“I hope to return to my best as soon as I can. I wish everyone who competes on 17 April the best of luck.”

Yamauchi was one of 15 women announced in the elite line-up who have a marathon best of less than two hours 25 minutes. She set her personal best of 2:23:12 when finishing second to Germany’s Irina Mikitenko in 2009, a performance that appeared to herald a breakthrough for the former diplomat. But a series of injuries have prevented her reproducing that form since.

She missed the 2009 World Championships in Berlin with a foot injury and could only finish 10th in London last year exhausted by a six-day journey from her training base in the United States caused by Iceland’s volcanic ash cloud.

She skipped last August’s European Championships in Barcelona but lined up for the New York Marathon on 7 November with high hopes of finishing in the top three. After racing with the leading group for the first half of the race, she faded to finish 13th in 2:31:38.

Virgin London Marathon race director Dave Bedford said: “It is a hugely disappointing to lose Mara from this year’s race. Many in Britain were hoping to see her up with the medalists again, as she was two year’s ago.

“It is a bitter blow for her, but we understand she needs to recover fully from this injury and prepare as well as possible for the Olympics next year.

“Despite Mara’s absence, we still have one of the most talented women’s fields ever for this year’s Virgin London Marathon and are looking forward to a fantastic race.”

Britain’s hopes in the women’s event now rest with Olympian Liz Yelling, the former Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, plus two marathon debutantes, Yelling’s sister-in-law Hayley Yelling, and seasoned international Jo Pavey.

Andrew Lemoncello will fly the flag for Britain in the men’s race. The Scotsman was eighth on his debut last year.

The following is a full list of the men’s and women’s elite entries for the 2011 Virgin London Marathon.

Elite athletes and their best marathon times

Men
Tsegaye Kebede  ETH 2:05:18
Patrick Makau  KEN 2:04:48
Samuel Wanjiru  KEN 2:05:10
Abel Kirui  KEN 2:05:04
Bazu Worku  ETH 2:05:25
Jaouad Gharib  MAR 2:05:27
Emmanuel Mutai  KEN 2:06:15
Viktor Röthlin  SUI 2:07:23
Abderrahime Bouramdane MAR 2:07:33
Yonas Kifle  ERI 2:07:34
José Manuel Martinez ESP 2:08:09
Marilson Gomes dos Santos BRA 2:08:37
Dathan Ritzenhein USA 2:10:00
Dmitry Safronov  RUS 2:10:12
Dylan Wykes  CAN 2:12:39
Cuthbert Nyasango ZIM 2:12:40
Jason Lehmkuhle  USA 2:12:54
Mike Shelley  AUS 2:13:05
Michael Aish  USA 2:13:21
Andrew Lemoncello GBR 2:13:40
Collis Birmingham AUS Debut
Stephan Shay  USA Debut
Patrick Smyth  USA Debut
Mohamed Trafeh  USA Debut

Women
Liliya Shobukhova RUS 2:20:25
Zhou Chunxiu  CHN 2:19:51
Irina Mikitenko  GER 2:19:19
Constantina Dita ROU 2:21:30
Askale Tafa  ETH 2:21:31
Inga Abitova  RUS 2:22:19
Lornah Kiplagat  NED 2:22:22
Aselefech Mergia ETH 2:22:38
Bezunesh Bekele  ETH 2:23:09
Bai Xue   CHN 2:23:27
Mariya Konovalova RUS 2:23:50
Xiaolin Zhu  CHN 2:23:57
Aberu Kebede  ETH 2:23:58
Yukiko Akaba  JPN 2:24:55
Edna Kiplagat  KEN 2:25:38
Magdalena Lewy Boulet USA 2:26:22
Liz Yelling  GBR 2:28:33
Lisa Weightman  AUS 2:28:48
Mary Keitany  KEN 2:29:01
Fiona Docherty  NZL 2:32:17
Tanith Maxwell  RSA 2:32:33
Jo Pavey  GBR Debut
Jessica Augusto  POR Debut
Nikki Chapple  AUS Debut

For more information contact the Virgin London Marathon Press Office:
Nicola Okey 020 7902 0182 / 07799 661345; nicolao@london-marathon.co.uk
Hannah Finch 020 7902 0199; hannahf@london-marathon.co.uk

www.virginlondonmarathon.com