Ireland's Olympic silver medallist Sonia O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the BUPA Great North Run which takes place this Sunday. Following last weekend's five-mile road race in Loughrea in which O'Sullivan finished second to Paula Radcliffe, the Cobh athlete has decided it is time to to take a break. However, Radcliffe will participate in this Sunday's race.
There are some other high-profile withdrawals also. Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie, the 10,000m champion in Sydney, and Jon Brown, fourth in the marathon, have both pulled out because of injury. However, there is still a strong field taking part despite these withdrawals. Radcliffe will have to contend with Tegla Loroupe who holds the world record for the marathon while Antonio Pinto who won the London Marathon is also taking part.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
