A hip injury has forced Olympian Nick Willis out of next week's mile race down the main street of Wellington suburb Petone and an interantional mile race in Christchurch three days later.
Willis' withdrawal is a major blow with big crowds expected to watch the 1500 metre specialist try and better John Walker's 28 year old national mile record.
The Christchurch organiser Leyton Tremain says while it's disappointing Willis won't be competing, the Olympian will still be in Christchurch to promote the event, which features last year's fastest miler, Britain's Andrew Baddely.
