Haining sets new best in London

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Commonwealth bronze medallist Liz Yelling's decision to mix it with the leading pack of international stars in yesterday's Flora London Marathon paid a handsome dividend according to PA Sport. Yelling was first to admit she suffered in mid-race for the tactic but ultimately the decision earned her the remaining British Olympic Games place ahead of rival Hayley Haining (Kilbarchan AAC).

Yelling’s ninth place and personal best of two hours 28minutes 33seconds won her the day, although Haining three positiions behind, also produced a quality display when lowering her lifetime fastest to 2hr 29min 18sec.

The English and Scottish runners both holding the Beijing qualifying standard, were under no illusions whoever was first across the line would be given the remaining place in the British side.

That was both their ambitions in a head-to-head which would see the victor join the country's top two Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi when the team is officially announced shortly.

Yelling after a slow start to the race saw both herself and Haining amongst the leading pack 10 kilometres into the race, when Constantina Dita finally finally raised the tempo.

Yelling decided to try and stick with the Romanian and the other elite athletes, but Haining decided to back off and found herself in isolation for almost the remainder of the race.

"Because we had gone off so slowly I felt there was no other option but to mix it with everyone," said Yelling.

Initially Haining disappeared off the radar, however after 18 miles she did again sight Yelling who had been going through a sticky patch and it seemed there might be a grandstand finish to their personal duel.

The challenge brought a positive reaction from Radcliffe's former training partner who herself by then running in a vacuum, raised her game to fend off Haining's attack.

Yelling said: "It really was hard work between 13 and 18 miles and looking back I could see Hayley in the distance which gave me a big kick up the bottom.

"I felt under pressure as I could see that she was was speeding.

"I told myself if Hayley is going to get this, I'm going to make her work for it and if she does she will deserve it.

"It made me pick up and run faster but the last six six miles were really hard."

Yelling added: "There was a lot at stake today we were running for an Olympic place which unfortunately meant one of us had to lose out."

Haining with seven miles remaining saw her hopes raised when she went onto a roundabout as her English opponent was exiting on the other side.

It might be argued the confrontation was decided at that point.

Haining although rapidly closing, decided there was still too far to go before committing herself to a decisive attack.

"At 19 miles I was going into a roundabout as she was coming off it and we just looked at one another," she said.

"But there was still a long way to go so I decided to sit tight and be conservative
But I'm delighted with breaking 2hr 30min and my performance." added the 36-year-old veterinary surgeon.

Irina Mikitenko in only her second marathon was the surprise winner of the race in a personal best of 2hr 24min 14sec ahead of Svetlana Zakharova and pre-race favourite Gete Wami.

The Russian runner-up for a third time, finished 15 seconds in arrears with Ethiopia's Wami who fell at 18 miles, picking herself up and placing third in 2hr 25min 37sec.

The men's race saw Martin Lel claim a third title in four years in a race contested at a furious pace with the the podium finishers for the first time in any marathon beating 2hrs 6min.

Lel's sprinting speed took him across the line nine seconds ahead of fellow Kenyan Sammy Wanjiru in 2hr 5min 15sec with Morocco's Abderrahim Goumri clocking 2hr 5min 30sec for third.

First Brit home was Dan Robinson who clocked his quickest-ever time of 2hr 13min 10sec for 13th place. source SAF