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+---- Thread: Radcliffe to miss Manchester Run (/Thread-Radcliffe-to-miss-Manchester-Run)
Radcliffe to miss Manchester Run - TheEd - 03-05-2011
Paula Radcliffe has been forced to withdraw from making her long awaited racing comeback at the Bupa Great Manchester Run on May 15 because of a recent illness.
Radcliffe, who in the last week has been suffering from a chest and throat infection, feels she is still not ready to compete at this level and has reluctantly taken the decision to pull out of the country's most popular 10k running event.
"I'm really, really disappointed to have to pull out of the Bupa Great Manchester Run," said Radcliffe. "I have missed racing so much and was so looking forward to running in Manchester in such a vibrant event.
"However, frustrated as I am, I know that the main focus for me is next year's Olympic marathon and achieving a qualifying standard later this year.ââ¬Â
Radcliffe, who regularly uses training camps in Albuqerque, New Mexico and Font Romeau in the French Pyrenees, added: "As an asthmatic I know that bronchitis, especially at altitude, needs to be treated with caution immediately.
"Therefore it is vital to get fully healthy and have a strong comeback race as soon as possible."
It would have been Radcliffe's first competition since the New York Marathon in November 2009, when she then took time off to concentrate on having a second child.
The world marathon record holder duly gave birth to son Raphael at the end of last September before gradually returning to full time training.
"Obviously we're deeply disappointed that she will not make her first ever appearance in the Bupa Great Manchester Run and of course her comeback race." said Andy Caine, the event's elite athlete's manager.
"But Paula has always insisted, with her primary centred on winning next year's Olympic marathon title, she will not take unnecessary risks in achieving that target.
"We wish her a speedy recovery and I'm sure everyone will look forward to seeing her racing again when fully fit and healthy."
Recently crowned European Indoor 3000 metres gold medallist Helen Clitheroe and European Junior Cross Country champion Charlotte Purdue will now lead the domestic challenge against strong international opposition.