Kenya’s Okayo pulls out of New York City marathon

NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s twice New York City marathon
champion Margaret Okayo has pulled out of this year’s event on
November 6 because of a long-standing tendon injury.

“I have not recovered fully since last year’s Olympic Games
and the tendon injury that forced me out of the race is still
recurring,” she told Reuters on Wednesday.

“I thought I would take part in this event and had prepared
for it only for the injury to recur at the last minute.”

Okayo was one of the favorites for the 42.195 kms event,
where she would have battled with last year’s runner-up and
2000 champion Lyudmila Petrova of Russia, compatriot Susan
Chepkemei and Kenya-born Dutchwoman Lorna Kiplagat.

Okayo, 29, won the New York race in 2001 and 2003 and holds
the course record of two hours 22 minutes 31 seconds.