Paula Radcliffe heads the list of leading British distance runners who will be absent for the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh on March 30th.

Mo Farah, the 2006 European Cross Country champion, Radcliffe, Jo Pavey and Mara Yamauchi have all declared themselves unavailable for the Norwich Union GB team.

Their absence will be a big disappointment to British fans given the championships are taking place on home soil for the first time since Belfast hosted them in 1999.

Radcliffe, a two-time champion, is currently sidelined with a toe injury, which has forced her withdrawal from next month's Flora London Marathon.

The others have decided they must concentrate on preparing for the Olympic Games, although it is understood they will test the benefits of their winter training programmes with spring road races.

Pavey is already committed to the Great Ireland Run over 10 kilometres on April 6th and Farah is shortly expected to announce his participation in the Carlsbad road race in the United States on the same day.

Yamauchi, a superb winner of the Osaka Ladies Marathon in January, is expected back from her base in Tokyo in May to compete in a couple of races on home soil.

Perhaps the worst news announced by UK Athletics this morning is two-time European junior champion Stephanie Twell is injured.

Twell, who has matured brilliantly in the last 12 months, is seen as a genuine contender to follow in the footsteps of Radcliffe and become a world-class performer.

The 18-year-old Aldershot athlete's major ambition is to challenge for a medal when London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games.

Twell, already pre-selected to lead the junior side, is suffering from a back injury and, with the World Junior Championships her major target in July, has pulled out.

"We are very disappointed that Steph will not be running, particularly as it is on home soil," said her coach Mick Woods.

"The World Cross Country is an important championship that we value greatly and Edinburgh is one of Steph's favourite and most successful courses.

"However, given the significance of the summer, it is important for Steph to have a successful track season - the focus has to be the world junior 1500m championship."

The World Cross Country trial races take place tomorrow in Nottingham and the fields will be further depleted with other top names, although making themselves available for selection, having higher priorities.

Kate Reed is still warm weather training in South Africa, while the vastly experienced Liz Yelling will continue preparations for next month's Flora London Marathon.

Former European champion Hayley Yelling and Katrina Wootton are both ill.

Sporting Life / Eurosport