The 28-year-old American, who was added to the elite men's line-up two weeks ago, was aiming to smash his personal best of 2 hours 10 minutes over the 26.2-mile course on Sunday, April 17.

But an ankle injury sustained while training indoors in December has been slow to heal, and both Ritzenhein and his coach Alberto Salazar believe he will not have time to do the necessary training for the sub-2:07 performance he had been hoping for.

David Bedford, race director of the Virgin London Marathon, said: "It is very disappointing to lose Dathan from this year's race.

"I know he was hoping to produce a fast time but unfortunately he has been beaten by injury.

"We wish him well and hope to see him in the future.

"The men's field is still one of the best we've ever had, including our defending champion Tsegaye Kebede, the Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru and the world champion Abel Kirui.

"I am sure it will be a fantastic race."

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