Kate McIlroy has reluctantly decided to withdraw from the World Track and Field Championships after wrestling with recurring calf muscle problems.

McIlroy had been selected to compete in the 3000m steeplechase at the championships in Osaka Japan, starting on 25 August.

The Wellington runner has had problems with her left heel and calf muscle, which keeps cramping, for the past 12 weeks.

While disappointed McIlroy is now relieved to have have made the decision to withdraw.

"The problems Kate has had hasn't enabled her to do the necessary work to be able to compete at a world level," said her coach John Bowden in Auckland today.

"She wouldn't do justice for New Zealand or herself by competing at the moment at that high level," he added.

The 2005 world mountain running champion, will return to New Zealand from Europe this week. McIlroy had just the one race in Europe, finishing seventh in the steeplechase in Greece last week.

Beijing Olympic Games next year is now the goal for the New Zealand 3000m steeplechase record holder.