Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has said he picked up a leg injury during Monday's epic Boston Marathon.
Considered the greatest marathoner of all time, Kipchoge failed to deliver in Boston and was forced to settle for a sixth-place finish.
Evans Chebet successfully defended his title in the 26.2-mile distance.
According to the Lets Run website, Kipchoge said he could not see himself quitting over his leg pain.
“My left leg was not coming up anymore,” Kipchoge said.
“I think that’s where the problem is. I tried to do the necessary [pace] but it was not working so I put my mind just to run a comfortable pace to finish.”
Kipchoge dropped from the leading pack after 1 hour 30 minutes only to cross the finishing line in a time of 2:09:23
The Kaptagat-based runner said the problem began when he approached the 30km mark.
“A lot was going on in my mind, but I said, “Hey, I can't quit. I have been in this sport for a long,” he said.
He ruled out the weather as being the cause of the leg pain.
“I don’t think it’s the weather. Maybe there was an underlying problem, but it’s just a problem with the leg. What can I say? I’m not a doctor," he said.
Kipchoge said he is looking forward to the upcoming races but will consult his team before making the final decision.
"Yesterday is a cancelled cheque, today is cash and tomorrow a promissory note. Let us forget about the cancelled cheque. Let us talk about the cash and the promissory note,” he said.
The London Marathon is set for April 23 with defending champion Amos Kipruto expected to lead Kenya's search for silverware.
The Kenyan women trio of Brigid Kosgei, Peres Jepchirchir and Judith Korir are expected to lead a quality field. Kosgei is the world record holder over distance while Jepchirchir is the Olympic champion.
