Defending champion and world record holder Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON due to injury.
Sawe was looking to lower the 1:59:30 he ran in London and retain the title he won in Berlin last year.
"It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you I am forced to withdraw from the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON due to an injury," he said.
"I had been looking forward to achieving something special on the streets of Berlin and crossing the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate. It was also my wish to give something back to the race and its organizers, who have supported me so much."
Berlin's hopes for a world record now sit with Tigst Assefa, who like Sawe, earmarked the German race for a tilt at a record time.
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