GB duo out of marathon

Brown has struggled to recover from a groin injury

Jon Brown and Mark Steinle have both pulled out of the marathon at August's World Championships in Paris.

Brown has been struggling with a long-term groin injury, while British number one Steinle's recovery from injury has been slower than expected.

Brown recently had surgery on his injury - diagnosed as a hernia - which he said had been hindering him for the past three years.

"Although I was looking forward to running in Paris, the best course of action for me now is to resolve my injury problems immediately in order to prepare well for next year," said Brown.

Steinle pulled out of this year's London Marathon with an iron deficiency, and has seen himself slip behind schedule on his recovery programme.

Great Britain will be represented in the men's marathon at the championships by Matt O'Dowd and in the women's marathon by Jo Lodge.