Defending Champion Priscah Jeptoo withdraws from NYC Marathon

Defending women’s champion Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya has withdrawn from the New York City Marathon.

Stanley Biwott of Kenya, runner-up at the London Marathon, also has pulled out of the November 2 race. The New York Road Runners said on Friday that both runners have leg injuries.

Jeptoo says the injury occurred at the London Marathon in April, took longer to heal and “will not allow me to be ready to honour the race and my title the way I should for such a great event.”

She says she plans to come back to New York next year.

Joining the field next month will be 2013 Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia and 2013 Chicago Marathon runner-up Jemima Sumgong of Kenya.