Yomi Omogbeja (05/11/2005)

The 2003 New York City Marathon champion and reigning London Marathon champion Martin Lel has finally pulled out of the ING New York City Marathon.

Lel withdrew from tommorrow's race after failing to recover from a recent injury to his lower right leg. He had earlier vowed to compete last week.

World record holder Paul Tergat of Kenya and last year's winner Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa will now head the highly competitive field.

Lel smashed his personal best to win the Flora London marathon in 2:07.26 in April and had been in top form with a fourth place finish at the Lisbon Half-Marathon (59:42) in September before the injury.