Paula Radcliffe has withdrawn from next month's Flora London Marathon with a toe tendon injury.

The 34-year-old, who won the title in 2002, 2003 and 2005, suffered the injury to her right toe during altitude training at her base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"I am desperately disappointed that I have to pull out of this year's race," Radcliffe said. "I love running in London and this race would have been the perfect test for me before the Olympic Games."

"But in marathon training there are no short cuts and there is simply not enough time to be in the shape I want to be in to run well in London. Now I must concentrate on being as well prepared as possible for Beijing."

Radcliffe´s injury comes just five months before she bids for the Olympic title in Beijing where she is determined to atone for dropping out of the 2004 race.

David Bedford, the London Marathon race director, said: "Of course, it is a major blow to lose Paula from this year's race but we understand that her priority in 2008 is to be in peak condition for the Olympic Games and we wish her all the best for a speedy return to full fitness.

"Even without Paula we will still have a very strong international women's field on April 13 and I am sure the race will be as exciting as ever."