Docherty out of London Marathon

Fiona Docherty withdraws from the London Marathon

Docherty out of London Marathon

Fiona Docherty has withdrawn from next Sunday’s London Marathon with an inflamed left heal (retrocalcaneal bursitis).
“After just coming off a great performance at the NYC half marathon in a time of 1h 12m 49s (two minute PR) things were looking great, only three weeks out. Then unfortunately the heel got inflamed and then it was too late. I had run out of time. I made the decision with my coach, two nights ago to not race, and take the recommended and safest option of, four weeks off training and in a boot,” said Docherty.“I have time to make that qualifying standard and there are plenty more races out there. It seems like a mountain to climb right now but these situations are to test us and I know every day and week will get easier and I will come back stronger than ever.

“I now have Chicago Marathon in my sights, with some good quality road races and track over the summer in prep for it. I know the course well and have done 2h 32m 00s there so am happy to tackle that one as my strengths will shine through,” said Docherty.

However Kimberley Smith is looking forward to next Monday’s Boston Marathon. She is in great shape following an uninterrupted period of training leading up to the race, including a New Zealand record half marathon of 1h 7m 36s in New Orleans in February and a win in the New Bedford half marathon in 1h 9m 50s in Massachusetts last month.
New Zealand has a fine record in the Boston Marathon, Dave McKenzie won in 1967 in a then course record of 2h 15m 45s. Allison Roe won the women’s race in 1981 in a then course record of 2h 26m 46s and Lorraine Moller won in 1984 in 2h 29m 28s.