Olympic hopeful Liz Yelling will not be taking any of her rivals lightly in next week's Flora London Marathon, even though she believes she is in the best form of her career.

Although the Great Britain side has not officially been released for Beijing, world record holder Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi seem certainties for inclusion based on their world-class victories in the New York and Osaka marathons respectively.

That leaves the trio of Yelling, Tracey Morris and Hayley Haining fighting it out to join that pair after the trial race in the capital.

The contenders need no reminding the first Brit home in the world's most popular marathon race will be flying out to compete in China this summer, barring some exceptional circumstance.

Yelling, although respectful of all her rivals, is convinced she is the right person for the job and her form - which includes finishing as the top Europe-born athlete in the recent World Cross-Country Championships - suggest her confidence is justified.

The 33-year-old said: "The Olympics is a very special event.

"It's what it's all about. I love the high of competing amongst the best in the world. I am a much stronger and faster athlete than I was four years ago and I believe I can do much better than my last Olympic performance in Athens."

Yelling was indeed the leading British finisher in Greece four years ago in 25th, and is confident of getting a second crack at the world's greatest sporting event this summer. However, there is a note of caution too after her bad experience in Chicago last October, when soaring temperatures wrecked her hopes of achieving the Games qualifying mark.

Conditions were so bad organisers took a health and safety decision to abandon the race with competitors collapsing and having to be rushed for treatment to hospitals in what was a freak 'Windy City' heatwave.

Yelling admitted: "I was very frustrated with Chicago as everything went to plan before the race. But I can only concentrate on the things I can control and not worry about the things I can't.

"I adapted my race strategy for unexpectedly hot weather and humidity in Chicago and was pleased with fourth and if anything it proves that I can race in extremely hot weather and in tough conditions - much like the demands of Beijing."

The Commonwealth bronze medallist learned from that experience, and from the shock of witnessing the then unknown Morris win the 2004 trial event.

Yelling conceded: "I never like to underestimate any athlete. Hayley Haining will be my main rival but having beaten her in the Reading half-marathon last month I feel more confident.

"I know I'm in good shape and I'll just do the best I can do on the day."

Yelling is also determined to prove herself against world-class opposition including the Ethiopian duo of Berhane Adere, who beat her in Chicago, and the first World Marathon Majors champion Gete Wami.

Yelling said: "I want to race London to the best of my ability. I always race hard.

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

Yelling, whose personal best is two hours 30 minutes and 44 seconds, added: "I know I am in great shape this year. My training has been going well and I am running faster and longer than ever before.

"I am sure I can run a sub two hours 28 minutes and a sub 2:26, that would be what I think I am capable of on the right day."

Surprisingly Yelling, like other road and cross-country runners, has to rely on her own initiative plus the generosity and support of family and friends to continue her career, with UK Sport refusing to fund them.

Yelling said: "I'm not really full-time. I have a little help from UK Athletics with some money for physio and massage, which I am very grateful for.

"However, I have had to be creative with the way I make a living. My husband, Martin, has been very supportive in managing me and helping promote me as an athlete.

"We have also set up a company www.active-futures.com where we write, coach and act as health, fitness and running consultants.

"I've also been supported by a commercial sponsor, Tensator, the CEO, Jeremy Williman has believed in me for the last four years and has been incredibly supportive.

"Without that support I don't think I'd still be running at the same level."

Yelling admits she would be greatly disappointed if she does not make the British team but is positive that if the worst scenario occurs she has the credentials to bounce back and continue her career.

"I keep improving and still have some boxes to tick in my running career," she insisted.

"Whilst I keep setting personal bests and getting stronger I see no need to stop.

"I want a family too and that is always in the back of my mind.

"I am 33 years old, I don't want to be too old, but at the same time, when I have children I want to give my time to them, and not be too tired from the training to enjoy the experience of motherhood."

Reuters