Brigid Kosgei will run the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon. Photo credit: Virgin Money London Marathon.

The world record holder Brigid Kosgei (KEN) has withdrawn from the 2022 TCS London Marathon.

Kosgei, the two-time London Marathon champion, has been struggling with a minor hamstring injury that has interrupted her preparations for this year’s race, which takes place on Sunday (2 October).

After consultations with her coach and management team, Kosgei has now decided to withdraw from the 2022 TCS London Marathon to avoid making the injury worse.

Kosgei said: “I have been struggling over the past month with an issue in the hamstring of my right leg. My training has been up and down and not the way I would like to prepare to be in top condition for the 2022 TCS London Marathon.

“We’ve decided it’s best I withdraw from this year’s race and get further treatment on my injuries in order to enter 2023 stronger than ever.”

Kosgei won the London Marathon in 2019 and 2020. She was fourth last year after winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

In 2019 she set the women’s world record of 2:14:04 at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. This year, she won the Tokyo Marathon in 2:16:02, the fourth-fastest time in history.

The 2022 TCS London Marathon elite women’s race will still feature a world-class field, headed by reigning champion Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH), the fastest marathon debutant in history.

In the elite men’s race, Britain’s Chris Thompson and Charlie Hulson have also both had to withdraw from this weekend’s race.