Irish marathon runner Paul Pollock has been forced to withdraw from the World Championships in London due to injury.

The Northern Irish athlete confirmed his withdrawal after suffering two metatarsal stress fractures over the last week.

Pollock, who was set to compete in Sunday’s marathon, also suffered a hip injury in May, but managed to battle back to fitness in time for the World Championships.

The 31 year old was the top Irish marathon runner at the Rio Olympics, finishing in 32nd place in 2:16.25 and had hopes of a top ten finish in London.

Earlier this year he set a new marathon personal best of 2:15:30 in Oita, Japan.

In a tweet Pollock said he was ‘gutted’.


Mick Clohisey and Sean Hehir are now Ireland’s sole representatives in Sunday’s World Championships marathon.