World record holder Ruth Chepnge'tich and defending champion in London, Peres Jepchirchir, have withdrawn from the London Marathon, organisers said, less than two weeks before the race.

In a big blow to one of the World's biggest Marathons, organizers announced Friday that Chepnge'tich, who smashed the women's record in Chicago last year, running 2:09:56 to become the first woman to break 2:10, will be missing.

She had hoped to improve on that time in London on April 27.

"Unfortunately, I'm not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best in London, and I am therefore withdrawing," she said in a statement.

"I am very sad to miss the race, and I hope to be back next year."

Her compatriot Jepchirchir, a three-times major winner who won Olympic gold in Tokyo four years ago, has an ankle injury and that she felt she needed to give it some more rest.

"Those who know me understand I would love to race here. However, I am focused on getting healthy again and hope to return to London again in the future when I’m fully fit," she said.

Vivian Cheruiyot, the 2018 winner in London, is a late addition to the field, which will, as always, be quality-packed.

It will also mean that a new winner will be seen considering Jepchirchir's absence.

This year's London Marathon is expected to break the world record for the most participants, with more than 56,000 people set to compete.