INJURED CARROLL OUT OF NYC MARATHON - Irish Olympian and last year's sixth-place finisher Mark Carroll has been forced to withdraw from this year's ING New York City Marathon with an injury, it was announced Monday, 22 September, by race organisers.

Carroll told organisers over the weekend that a recent MRI of his left hip showed a bruised bone and accompanying inflammation of the soft tissue in the same area. Thus, he is unable to run and train for the next several weeks in preparation for this year's race on Sunday, November 2.

"The doctor said I need 10 to 20 days of complete rest," said Carroll, who has been unable to run for the last two weeks and had been cycling instead in hopes of keeping up his fitness for the race.

Carroll, 31, ran 2:10:54 in his marathon debut in last year's race and was eager to return to the five-borough fall classic in hopes of bettering his time and place. Now that hope will have to be put off for at least one year. "I'll be back next year," said Carroll.

"We are saddened to hear about Mark's injury as we were all looking forward to seeing him come back and race this year. All of us here at New York Road Runners wish him a speedy road to recovery," said Richard Finn, race spokesperson.

Irish Runner.com interview with Mark Carroll discussing his injuries, training, marathons, goals and his future plans.