Mara Yamauchi 2:27:24

[BernardII]

http://www.iaaf.org/LRR11/news/newsid=62962.html

Not quite back at her best, but back nonetheless . Mara Yamauchi finished 3rd in 2:27:24, an Olympic A standard, with the hot conditions not being too condusive to quick marathon running. It's a pity there's no team competition at the Olympics because we now have 5 ladies with the A standard, plus a further 3 with the B standard.

At the moment, I would probably select Paula, Mara and Jo Pavey for 2012 but there are plenty more marathons between now and the qualification deadline. I think both Louise Damen and Claire Hallissey could improve on their debut performances but I think they would have to run sub 2:28 to move ahead of Jo. Liz Yelling is a contender at her best but I don't know whether she'll be able to recapture that form in time. Then there might be a surprise package, just like Scott Overall on the men's side. Any other thoughts on who might get selected?

[jjimbojames]

Great to see her making her way back.

In terms of other potential women, I think you've listed the main contenders, but I do hope at least a couple consider the 10km if they don't make the marathon team - seems silly to have such depth and then such little representation lower down. Plus, a bit of speed work can only help for say an Autumn marathon.

Hopefully, a couple of 1500m girls will consider the 5km as well, to boost that event. A 4.03-level girl (or better) is staying home next year, if not...

[sidelined]

Louise Damen didn't finish, which is a great pity. She has such bad luck with injuries. I agree that the selectors will pick Paula, Mara and Jo - but will all three manage to make the start line in good shape?

Gemma Steel, Charlotte Purdue and Helen Clitheroe should all be capable of getting the A standard for 10,000m - but Ms Purdue has just come back early from Kenya with a knee problem. I really hope she can have a good track season with no injury worries.

[nevetssllim]

Really, really pleased for Mara. I honestly doubted whether she'd even get back into any sort of shape given all of her injuries in the past 18 months, her advanced age, as well as her fair share of DNFs and DNSsbut this is a really promising performance, especially given the very warm conditions (25C-plus). As long as she stays injury free, she should be able to get back down to sub-2:25 territory again which should set her up well for another top-ten finish at a major champs in London.

[paulouk83]

if there all injury free Jo Pavey, Mara and of course Paula have the times and the credibiliy to be the team Louise, Liz etc will need to find 2:25-2:28 territory and i just cant see them doing it. Hopefully they can find new levels of motivation and have an injury free run.

[trickstat]

I know it's a little ungentlemanly to mention the age of ladies(!), but Paula R, Jo P & Mara Y would represent one of the most venerable trios GB has ever fielded in a Olympic Athletic event. At the time of the Olympics, all 3 will be 38 (age spread of just 4 months & 4 days). All 3 are also coached by their husbands.

[usedtoit33]

Actually I think it's going to take sub 2:25 to boot Jo or Mara off the team. Paula's pretty much a lock, injury permitting.

By the way, isn't the standard thinking that you leave at least 3 months between elite marathons in order to allow for proper recovery and training? If so, then people (the men as well to see if they can emulate Scott Overall) have got til March. If the London Marathon's at the start of April then I suppose you could just squeeze it in.

[BernardII]

http://www.iaaf.org/LRR11/news/newsid=63157.html

Another interesting development in the Marathon...Freya Murray is entered for the London Marathon.

[fangio]

Could be wrong but weren't Joyce Smith (46) and Prescilla Welch (39) both coached by their husbands when they ran the 1984 Olympic marathon (joined by 22 year old Sarah Rowell)?

[Guto Nyth Bran]

I know it's a little ungentlemanly to mention the age of ladies(!), but Paula R, Jo P & Mara Y would represent one of the most venerable trios GB has ever fielded in a Olympic Athletic event. At the time of the Olympics, all 3 will be 38 (age spread of just 4 months & 4 days). All 3 are also coached by their husbands.

I'm almost ashamed of myself for knowing this fact.
50km walk -1948 - three Brits - average age was 39.

[trickstat]

Could be wrong but weren't Joyce Smith (46) and Prescilla Welch (39) both coached by their husbands when they ran the 1984 Olympic marathon (joined by 22 year old Sarah Rowell)?

Joyce Smith was definitely coached by her husband Bryan at the time & I think you may be right about Priscilla Welch.

[rembradt]

Welch was coached by her husband,Dave, and her most remarkable performance for many was at the age of 43 she broke the British record in the London Marathon in 2.26 and bits

[cashmart35]

Welch once joked that her husband was "a slave driver, and I was a willing participant," more truthful was her assessment that running made her feel "like a bird let out of a cage -- I loved it that much."