Virgin London Marathon – Mathathi and Steel drop out with injuries

Injuries have forced Kenya's Martin Mathathi and Britain's Gemma Steel to withdraw from the elite line-ups for the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 13 April.

Mathathi, the winner of the Fukuoka Marathon last December, has been unable to shake off a tight hamstring despite receiving specialist treatment at home in Japan, while Steel has not recovered from the calf tear which forced her to drop out of the New York Half Marathon on 16 March.

Mathathi, a former World Championships 10,000m bronze medallist and Great North Run champion, was due to make his London Marathon debut as one of five powerful Kenyans in the elite men's field. According to his agent Ricky Simms, Mathathi returned to his base in Japan last weekend for treatment but the hamstring "remains very tight even when jogging".

"He was in good shape and is very disappointed to miss the race," said Simms. "But he does not want to come and run badly or have to drop out."

Leicestershire-based Steel was due to make her marathon debut after impressive performances on the roads and at cross country in recent years. She was seventh for Britain at the 2012 World Half Marathon Championships and won the Great Birmingham Run last October.

However, she dropped out of the New York City Half Marathon three weeks ago when she tore a calf muscle. Despite intensive treatment from the UK Athletics medical team Steel has decided to withdraw from the elite women's race to prevent the risk of further damage.

Source:  Virgin London Marathon

Updated start lists for all this year's races can be found here.