Newcastle, Jan 07: Paula Radcliffe has pulled out of Saturday's View From Great North Cross Country in Newcastle after picking up a bacterial infection. Radcliffe's manager and husband Gary Lough informed Peter Elliott, the elite athlete co-ordinator for the meeting, of her decision on Thursday morning.
It is the third major blow in a week for the meeting after Ethiopians Deratu Tulu and Gete Wami vacated their starting slots because of lack of form and injury.
"She is disappointed at having to pull out because she was looking forward to racing in front of the crowds in Newcastle," Lough said of Radcliffe.
Elliott, already chasing suitable replacements for the Ethiopians, is now involved in a race against time to sign a world-class substitute for Radcliffe.
"Of course I am disappointed but what can you do? Paula is a highly experienced athlete and knows what is best for herself," said the former Commonwealth Games 1500m gold medallist.
"Now I have to pull out all the stops. It is going to be a very busy day for me."
Bureau Report