Yamauchi calls for more British marathon runners

MARA Yamauchi believes time is running out for British athletes to mount a serious challenge at the 2012 Olympic marathon.

TICK-TOCK: GB's Mara Yamauchi insists time is running out for a British winner of the Olympic marathon at London 2012 (Getty Images)

Yamauchi, who finished sixth in Beijing last year, is the leading home hope at this weekend's Flora London Marathon.

However, she faces a difficult challenge to make an impact on the podium with all three Olympic medallists, plus 2008 champion Irina Mikitenko, on a big name and big money startline in Greenwich.

"London 2012 should be an inspiration but three years is not long to become a top marathon runner if you haven't already started working towards it," said Yamauchi.

"It's a shame that there are so few British runners that are competitive, although I don't feel any pressure because of it.

"It's hard to explain why there is a problem over here, it's certainly not a lack of facilities.

"I know there is talent in the UK but there are no shortcuts or secrets to success - you just have to train very hard and devote all your time to it.

"All I seem to do is train, shower and sleep and it can take its toll on your relationships with family and friends. I'm just lucky that I have a husband who has devoted himself to a marathon lifestyle."

Yamauchi, who won last year's Osaka International Marathon, has been slowly lowering her personal best in recent outings - recording a two hour, 25 minute and three second PB in Toyko last year.

And in the absence of Paula Radcliffe - absent from London for the fourth-consecutive year with toe injury - she knows more is expected.

"My last two improvements were seven seconds and two seconds, so it's going in the right direction, just very slowly," she added.

"I think I've hit a plateau at 2.25 but I know I can go quicker than that. I believe I've got a big improvement in me, maybe I can run a 2.22 if everything goes right on the day and hopefully that can be Sunday."

Yamauchi will turn 39 just a few days over the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics but insists that age isn't wearying her.

And inspiration won't be far away on Sunday, with Romania's Constantina Dita winning in Beijing last year aged 38.

He has made subtle changes to her training in recent months, with less focus on 10km and half-marathons."All my training is focused on the marathon now, I do more volumes of miles at a slower speed," she added.

"I'm 35 so I spend a lot of time on recovery but I know my body now and what training really works for me."