LONDON, March 7 (UPI) -- English runner Paula Radcliffe has withdrawn from the London Marathon after suffering a right toe injury, the BBC reported.
The BBC in London said that the 32-year-old Briton, the women's marathon world record-holder and a three-time winner at the London race (2002, 2003 and 2005), injured a tendon while training in New Mexico and plans to concentrate on preparations for the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer.
"I am desperately disappointed that I have to pull out of this year's race," she said. "I love running in London and this race would have been the perfect test for me before the Olympic Games. In marathon training there are no shortcuts and there is simply not enough time to be in the shape I want to be in to run well in London."
She described the injury as "minor" and wants to be in the best shape for Beijing.
The London race is scheduled for April 13.
