Tirunesh Dibaba and Cam Levins Will Not Race the 2019 London Marathon

By Adam Kopet

London Marathon race organizers announced Tuesday that both Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia and Cam Levins of Canada have withdrawn from the April 28 race.

Dibaba is the biggest name to withdraw from the race so far. Her runner-up finish at the 2017 London Marathon put her fifth on the women's all-time performer list at 2:17:56.

Since then, Dibaba has won the 2017 Chicago Marathon in 2:18:31 and placed third at the 2018 Berlin Marathon in 2:18:55. However, she dropped out of the 2018 London Marathon.

Dibaba, who is a three-time Olympic champion and still holds the world record at 5,000 meters, cited personal reasons as her reason for withdrawal.

Levins, who made his marathon debut at the 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, is out with a nagging injury that he could not overcome in time for the race. His debut featured a Canadian record of 2:09:25.

I regret to announce that I’m pulling out of the @LondonMarathon due to a nagging injury. I can’t take care of it, and be ready to race at my best. Will be back at it soon. https://t.co/fJNL2JRSl4

— Cam Levins (@CamLevins) March 27, 2019

Allie Kieffer and Chris Derrick have previously been announced as scratches from the elite fields in London.