Yamauchi only London Marathon elite athlete to arrive so far

GREAT Britain's Mara Yamauchi is the only London Marathon elite athlete so far to make it to the capital before Sunday's race.

FINAL LEG: Mara Yamauchi had to fly in a propeller plane over the Channel to reach the UK in time for this Sunday's marathon (David Wearn/Virgin London Marathon)

Last year's runner-up this afternoon completed a nightmare journey from her training camp in New Mexico as she touched down at Shoreham airport just outside Brighton.

The Japan-based runner, who finished sixth at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, had planned to catch a flight from Denver to London last week but has been unable to get a plane for six days thanks to the cloud of ash from Iceland's volcano Eyjafjallaokull.

But despite travelling via New Jersey, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris and Le Touquet on her way to the UK, Yamauchi is confident she can still perform on the 26 mile route this weekend.

"It's been an interesting journey to say the least and hardly the best way to prepare for the race," she said.

"I am tired but most of all just happy to be here. Now at least I have time to relax and begin to focus my mind on the race.

"I am confident I will be fully recovered and ready to run by Sunday morning."

Marathon organisers hired a private Piston propeller plane to fly Yamauchi across the channel and are trying to give all elite athletes the same treatment to ensure they can reach the capital in time.

Defending champions Sammy Wanjiru from Kenya and Germany's Irina Mikitenkohave are yet to arrive in the country, cutting short their preparations for Sunday's race.