“While sometimes it’s big smiles, it’s not always all joy.” Rachel Hannah to miss marathon at World Championships

 

While sometimes it’s big smiles, it’s not always all joy as sometimes we get faced with challenges. With this picture last week it’s unfortunate to say that my flight from the training camp in Guadalajara ??took me home instead of to London ??for the #iaafworldchampionships . A new foot injury will not allow me to compete this year for #teamcanada ??in the Women’s Marathon. While this is a major disappointment, I can’t help but feel grateful for the amazing and positive support I received from the @athleticscanada coaches, IST and all staff members and team mates. I caught it early which means I can dedicate all my efforts towards healing and coming back stronger. My heart ❤️and spirit go towards my fellow team mates who will begin competition on August 4th! Strive with passion and never, ever, stop driving forward! ?Go for it this Sunday @ericgillis @thomasgtoth @daynapid #tarahkorir !! The @athleticscanada staff who helped me so much with world class expertise but also real compassion: Dr. Paddy McCluskey, Trent Stellingwerff, Brenda Scott-Thomas, Dave Scott-Thomas, Danielle Chow-Leong, Penny Werthner, Carla Nicholls, Corey Dempsey, Glenroy Gilbert, Jared Macleod and Scott MacDonald. #london2017 #worldchamps #teamcanada ??#TeamNB #uttc @newbalancecanada @medcan_livewell @eloadsportnutrition @nakaherbsandvitamins @cbc.sports @westcoastpaddy @carla_nicholls @cordemps #BrendaScott-Thomas #DaveScott-Thomas

A post shared by Rachel Hannah (@rachelhannahrd) on Aug 2, 2017 at 5:55pm PDT

“While sometimes it’s big smiles, it’s not always all joy,” wrote Rachel Hannah on her Instagram page on Wednesday night. The Canadian distance runner was set to compete in the women’s marathon at the 2017 IAAF World Championships but instead she has returned home with a foot injury. 

Hannah was with the majority of the Team Canada runners at a training camp in Guadalajara, Spain but had to break the sad news: a new foot injury had her hopping on a plane to bring her back home instead of to London– the host of the championships. 

The Ontario runner came into 2017 strong after racing her first of the Marathon Majors in spring. She raced the Boston Marathon in April which she said was a prep for worlds and future high-caliber marathons. 

In her post on Wednesday, she gave a nod to those athletes who still will be racing the 42.2K in the Team Canada uniform. The women’s marathon is scheduled to run on Sunday afternoon in London. Tarah Korir and Dayna Pidhoresky will still be running.

Andre De Grasse made a similar announcement on Wednesday night. The sprinter pulled out due to a hamstring tear.

The full Canadian team list is here.