Five-times champion Paul Tergat from Kenya has withdrawn from next month's world cross country championship in Dublin after a disappointing showing in the Kenyan leg of the IAAF cross challenge series in Nairobi.
Tergat (31) said yesterday he was pulling out of next month's event after finishing only third in Saturday's race which also doubled as Kenya's trial for the event.
Tergat, who is also world half-marathon champion, said he would focus on preparations for his full marathon debut in London on April 22.
"It is not practical for me to run in Dublin and go ahead with my marathon debut in London," he said.
"I want to make a successful debut in the marathon. I hope Kenya's athletics officials and my fans will understand. The training methods for the two events are very different and it would be pretentious to think I can handle both competently."
The Kenya Amateur Athletic Association said it accepted Tergat's decision.
Reuters