Ethiopian athlete Tsegaye Kebede, who became the first man from his country to win the Chicago Marathon in 2012, has withdrawn from this year's Chicago Marathon because of a recent injury.

"Tsegaye Kebede has unfortunately withdrawn from the Bank of America Chicago Marathon elite field and won’t be participating on Oct. 11," a marathon spokeswoman said. "Kebede was recently injured; test results today have led him to determine it’s not in his best interest to race in Chicago."

Marathon officials call Kebede, a 2008 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist, one of the most accomplished and consistent marathon runners of the last decade. Kebede's 2012 Chicago Marathon time of 2:04:38 set a new course record.

Considered a major presence on the AWMM race circuit, Kebede was hoping a win in Chicago would help him earn a spot in Rio after he was left off the 2012 Ethiopian Olympic team.

Ahead of his epic finish in Chicago, Kebede said he was looking for redemption from the 2010 race, where he was run out of the top spot during the final stretch by the late Sammy Wanjiru by about 20 seconds.

"Two years ago, I was right here, it was the same, but I could not run," said Kebede after the 2012 win. "Two years ago it was Wanjiru. But this was my goal! My goal!"