Last year’s Comrades winner Camille Herron, who is arguably seen as the top female ultra distance runner in the world, has sadly withdrawn from the 2018 Comrades race taking place next Sunday.

The American long-distance runner stunned the field last year to win in only her second attempt at the race. She broke the tape in 6 hours 36 minutes, and was one of the favourites to win in this year’s Down Run.

“Her training and racing schedule has been severe, and I did advise her to slow down and rather just concentrate on the Comrades Marathon earlier this year,” said Nick Bester and national manager of the Nedbank Running Club.

She could have become the first female since Elena Nurgalieva to win back-to-back races.

Herron stunned the running community last night when she released the below statement.

“Bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible.”- Shakespeare With much sadness and heartbreak I’m withdrawing from @comradesmarathon . I had a sudden quad strain last wk. I’m back running, and while I remained hopeful and optimistic I’m trying to respect my body and do what’s right. I have a great medical team here, and we feel confident we can make progress to ensure I toe the line at @wser . I appreciate everyone’s support, compassion, and good karma right now. I’m still just as much a fan and will be in spirit with my Nedbank teammates and everyone racing at Comrades this yr. Bless you all and enjoy the magic of Comrades ✨. Asijiki! ?: @jetlineactionphoto

A post shared by Camille Herron (@runcamille) on May 30, 2018 at 12:20pm PDT

Herron is arguably the top female ultra-runner in the world at the moment. The American is a former world champion in both 50km and 100km and is the current world record holder over 100 miles.

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