Injuries Knock Lel and Cheruiyot Out of ING New York City
New York, October 12, 2010—Leg injuries will prevent four-time Boston Marathon champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and three-time London and two-time ING New York City Marathon champion Martin Lel, both of Kenya, from competing in next month’s ING New York City Marathon, it was announced today by New York Road Runners officials.
Lel, 31, won in New York in 2003 and 2007, and finished fifth in the 2008 Beijing Olympic men’s marathon. He will miss the race due to an injury to his right leg. A groin injury will sideline Cheruiyot, 32, whose most recent Boston Marathon victory came in 2008. Cheruiyot was second at last year’s ING New York City Marathon to Meb Keflezighi of the United States.
Keflezighi and marathon world record-holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia will headline a stellar men’s field for the November 7 race. Other contenders include World Championships Half-Marathon bronze medalist Dathan Ritzenhein of the United States, 2010 European Champion Viktor Rothlin of Switzerland, two-time New York champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil, and 2009 World Championships Marathon gold medalist Abel Kirui of Kenya.
