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PAULA Radcliffe's absence and the lack of world-class ability among the British men make it inevitable there will not be a home victory or even podium finish to celebrate at the Flora London Marathon tomorrow.

British entrants do, however, have personal and important ambitions to achieve, with the event customarily doubling as the Olympic trials.

Dan Robinson and Tomas Abyu are two of the favourites for the three men's slots in Beijing and will be aiming to run the qualifying time of two hours, 11 minutes to boost their chances.

The women's race offers an even more exciting head-to-head confrontation between England's Liz Yelling and Scotland's Hayley Haining who, with Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi virtually assured of their Team GB places, are effectively battling for the remaining place.

But all of the hopefuls will need little reminding of the unpredictability of marathon racing after Tracey Morris emerged from nowhere to win the Olympic trial race four years ago.

The injured Morris will not be around to repeat that dazzling display but Haining and Yelling both already hold the qualifying time.

Despite the importance of clinching an Olympic place, Yelling is adamant she will mix it with the overseas favourites tomorrow, notably the Ethiopian pair of Berhane Adere and Gete Wami.

I want to race London to the best of my ability. I always race hard. I know I'm in good shape and I'll just do the best I can do on the day,'' said Radcliffe's 33-yearold former training partner.

I have missed the opportunity to fulfil my potential over the marathon distance due to extreme weather conditions in my last four marathons.

Now I am hoping London will provide me with the opportunity to run a fast marathon and hopefully by doing this, I will secure my Olympic selection.'' Haining was rated as good a talent as Radcliffe when they were junior athletes but saw her career go off the boil with a succession of foot injuries which prevented her establishing a career at senior level.

But the 36-year-old veterinary clinical pathologist returned to competition in 2004 and finished 12th in London the following spring to earn World C h a m p i - onship selection.

L a t e r that year in Helsinki, where Radcliffe stormed to the gold medal, she was a counter along with Yamauchi as the side claimed team bronze.

Despite pursuing a career rather than life as a full-time athlete, Haining still has a hunger to go to the Olympic Games, but will not risk chasing fast times at the price of incurring more injuries.

The Scot said: I run for relaxation and hopefully will not go back into the injury cycle.'' In the men's race, Robinson has been the pick of the British competitors since finishing 23rd at the last Olympics and then 14th at the following summer's World Championships.

The 32-year-old from Cheltenham then claimed Commonwealth bronze in 2006 and was the top UK finisher at the European Championships.

Robinson again showed his appetite for championship running when a solid 11th at the World Championship in the heat and humidity of Osaka - a good indication he can do well in the similar conditions of Beijing.

Indeed his top-20 finish in Osaka already qualifies him for a place in Beijing under IAAF rules, but he still needs the stamp of approval from both UK Athletics and the British Olympic Association that they will abide by the regulation laid down by the world governing body.

10:20am Saturday 12th April 2008

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