23 March 2016

Gemma Steel (coach: John Nuttall) has withdrawn from the British Athletics team for the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half-Marathon Championships on Saturday 26 March due to a chest infection.

Steel has been replaced in the women’s squad by Tina Muir (Steve Picucci) who has a half marathon personal best of 73:21. It will be the Bedford & County athlete’s first international cap for the British team as she competes in front of thousands lining the streets of Cardiff.

On her withdrawal, Steel commented: “I am disappointed to have to withdraw from the British team at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Cardiff due to a chest infection. I was looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd but I wish Tina (Muir) and the rest of the team the best of luck on Saturday.”

The schedule for the Championships starts with the elite women’s race at 13:35 before the elite men’s and mass race starts at 14:10.

The British Athletics team for the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships on Saturday 26 March 2016:

Men

Mo Farah (Alberto Salazar)

Dewi Griffiths (Kevin Evans)

Callum Hawkins (Robert Hawkins)

Matthew Hynes (Stan Markley)

Ryan McLeod

Women

Alyson Dixon (Self-coached)

Rachel Felton (Christopher Frapwell)

Tina Muir (Steve Picucci)

Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau)

Jenny Spink (Bruce Tulloh)

There will be live coverage of the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half-Marathon Championships on BBC One between 13:30-15:30 on Saturday 26 March.