London, April 19 (H.S.): World record holder Ruth Chepngetich and reigning champion Peres Jepchirchir have withdrawn from the London Marathon. Organizers reported this information less than two weeks before the race on Friday.

Kenya's Chepngetich broke the women's record last year in Chicago, clocking a time of 2:09:56, becoming the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier. She had hoped to improve this time in London on April 27. In a statement, she said, I am not in the right mental or physical condition to run my best race in London, and therefore I am withdrawing from the race. I am very disappointed to miss the race and hope to be able to participate again next year.

Her compatriot Jepchirchir, a three-time major winner who won Olympic gold in Tokyo four years ago, has suffered an ankle injury. She said, I am focusing on recovering and hope to return to London in the future when I am fully fit.

2018 winner Vivian Cheruiyot from Kenya has joined the field late. This year's London Marathon is expected to set a world record for the highest number of participants, with more than 56,000 people expected to take part.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar