Marathoner to miss the Commonwealth Games through injury

Freya Ross is to miss this summer’s Commonwealth Games on home soil as she has been suffering with a hip injury.

The Olympic marathoner says while she looks set to make a full recovery and return to competitive running, the injury has affected her training which has led to her decision to withdraw from the Scotland team.

“It is with regret and deep disappointment that I can confirm I have had to withdraw from Team Scotland for the Commonwealth games,” commented Ross, who has a 26.2 mile best of 2:28:10 clocked at the London Marathon in 2012 when running as Freya Murray.

“I have suffered from a hip injury for the past few weeks and while the prognosis is good for a full return to competitive running, it is affecting my training.

“I would like to offer my support to every athlete in every sport involved for Glasgow 2014 because, having been to Delhi in 2010, I know all about the excitement and pride they will feel about representing Scotland at a Commonwealth Games. I’m sure it will be very exciting.”

Despite suffering injury setbacks in 2013, Ross clocked 2:35:19 in Yokohama last November to better the Scotland Commonwealth Games qualifying standard of 2:40. The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run in April had been a return to competitive road action for the Edinburgh athlete following her outing on the country at the Scottish National Championships in February, but she was forced to drop out midway through the 10-mile race.

The 30-year-old had been named part of the Scotland team for the Games in the second phase of selections in early May. Any potential replacement for her is yet to be confirmed, with the full Scotland team due to be named on Thursday (June 12).