For Immediate Release

New York, March 14, 2012—Three-time British Olympian Jo Pavey was forced to withdraw from the NYC Half on Sunday, March 18 due to the flu, it was announced today by New York Road Runners officials.

Pavey is one of the top female British track and field athletes of all time, and has transitioned into the road-racing scene in recent years. She won the 2011 Bupa London 10,000 and finished ninth at the ING New York City Marathon 2011.

NYRR’s flagship half-marathon, in its seventh running, will feature a race-record field of 15,000 runners and a thrilling new course. Also new this year, WABC-TV will be airing the NYC Half live, beginning at 7:00 a.m., as part of NYRR’s recently announced comprehensive television agreement with ESPN/WABC-TV. The race will also be broadcast live on the New York Road Runners website. Viewers can tune in at 7:00-9:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday, March 18 to tv.nyrr.org to watch the race coverage. The NYC Half will again offer a prize purse of $100,000—the largest half-marathon purse in the United States.  The men’s and women’s champions will each earn $20,000. The race continues to attract prominent professional athletes and recreational runners from around the world.