Mary's plans to tackle a marathon are put on hold (From Craven Herald)

Mary's plans to tackle a marathon are put on hold

11:13am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Athletics By Alan Birkinshaw, Weeklies Sports Editor

Mary Wilkinson’s hopes or running in a major marathon this Spring have been dashed by injury.

The Great Britain international mountain race runner has suffered a stress fracture of the foot and that has delayed her debut as a marathon runner.

The 30-year-old Long Preston athlete has set her sights on bidding for a place in the England team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

But earlier hopes of running at either the London, Boston, Paris or Amsterdam Marathons have been put on ice.

Wilkinson said: “I have not been able to run for three weeks and have another three to go until I can start back. “I am training very hard still but it is all pool running and bike sessions, I will come back fitter.”

Despite the frustration of not being able to clock up the hard miles on the road, Wilkinson retains a positive outlook.

“Breaks from the pounding of running usually serve to help runners recover and perform better subsequently, but for now all plans are on hold until I see how the foot recovers,” she said. “These are the joys of walking the tightrope of ultimate fitness and injury.”