 Tergat had been among the favourites to win on Sunday |
Marathon world record holder Paul Tergat has pulled out of Sunday's Great North Run because of injury. The Kenyan, who won the half-marathon event in 2001, was forced out to withdraw because of a hamstring injury picked up in a training session.
Tergat was one of the favourites to win what is the race's 25th anniversary.
"Tergat rested overnight but has reluctantly withdrawn from the race on medical advice," said one of the organisers Matthew Turnbull.
Dejene Berhanu, who won last year in a time of 59 minutes 37 seconds - the fastest time ever on British soil, is now the clear favourite.
Hendrick Ramaala, last year's runner-up and a two-time winner, will again be in the line-up.
Two-time winner of the women's race, Sonia O'Sullivan, has made a late entry but she insists she is content just to "jog around" the course.
MMIX
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