ESPN Track and Field

CHICAGO -- Kenya's Felix Limo, winner of the 2005 Chicago Marathon, withdrew from this month's race because of lower back pain.

Limo also won the London Marathon in April and was considered a favorite for the Oct. 22 run in Chicago. He won last year in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 2 seconds.

"I am beginning to feel less pain in my back, but do not feel confident I can run a good race right now," he said in a statement. "And I am committed to putting together my best performances for myself, for the organizers and for the fans of the sport.

Organizers said Thursday that Robert Cheruiyot, winner of this year's Boston Marathon in a course-record 2:07:14, remains in the field. Benjamin Maiyo, second to Limo in Chicago in 2005 and second in Boston this year, is also running.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

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