FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
   Firehiwot Dado, Defending Champion, Out of ING New York City Marathon

An injury has forced Firehiwot Dado, the defending champion of the ING New 
York City Marathon, to withdraw from the November 4 race. 

According to Dado's manager, Hussein Makke, the 28-year-old Ethiopian has 
been unable to train after what he termed a "very nasty" blister on her 
heel became infected. Makke sent race officials a photograph of Dado's foot 
showing the raw wound.

"Given the level of swelling on her ankle and the open nature of the 
blister itself, she has stopped training for some time now," said Makke. 

In her ING New York City Marathon debut last year, Dado bided her time as 
Kenya's Mary Keitany took off on world-record pace. As Keitany faded, Dado 
and her countrywoman, Buzunesh Deba, worked together to catch the leader, 
which they did at mile 24. Dado won in 2:23:15, with Deba four seconds 
behind. Deba is expected to compete on November 4.

Dado returned to New York this spring for the NYC Half, passing the leader, 
New Zealand's Kim Smith, with 600 meters to go for victory in 1:08:35. She 
finished fourth in the Boston Marathon a month later. Dado has not competed 
since placing fifth in the NYRR New York Mini 10K in June.

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