Press Release - London Marathon - 2/24/12

              Overall to Pace British Olympic Marathon Hopes

Scott Overall will run as a pacemaker for British men hoping to gain 
Olympic qualifying times at the 2012 Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 22nd 
April.

Overall beat the qualifying time on his debut at the Berlin Marathon last 
September when he was fifth in 2 hours 10 minutes 55 seconds and he was 
named in the British team for the London Olympics last December.

The 29-year-old Londoner will be one of the pacemakers aiming to give a 
group of leading British men the best possible chance of finishing within 
the required standard of 2:12:00.

"It was fantastic to beat the qualifying time in Berlin and to be selected 
for the Olympic Games in my home city," said Overall. "But I don't want to 
be the only British man on the start line on 12th August. I want to have 
friends and teammates beside me and am happy to do whatever I can to help 
them beat the time.

"Of course, it will also be a good opportunity for me to have a serious 
workout on the London Marathon course as part of my preparations for the 
Games."

Overall was named in December along with Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi 
in the first wave of Olympic marathon selections. With three places 
available in the men's and women's teams, any final selections will be 
announced by UK Athletics and the British Olympic Association the day after 
the London Marathon, on Monday 23rd April.

Among the leading contenders running in London are Lee Merrien, who was 
first Briton home in last year's race, Benedict Whitby, Andi Jones and Phil 
Wicks, while Liz Yelling, Claire Hallissey, Louise Damen and Susan 
Partridge are vying for the one remaining women's spot. 

The leading Britons running in the 2012 Virgin London Marathon are:

Men 	            Club 	                      Personal best
Lee Merrien 	    Newham & Essex Beagles 	      2:14:27
Benedict Whitby     WSE & Hounslow 	              2:15:09
Andi Jones          Trafford / Salford Harriers       2:15:20
Phil Wicks          Belgrave Harriers 	              2:15:38
Ian Hudspith 	    Morpeth Harriers 	              2:15:47
Ben Moreau          Aldershot, Farnham & District     2:16:46
Antony Ford 	    Sale Harriers Manchester 	      2:17:16
Martin Williams     Tipton Harriers 	              2:17:36
Phil Nicholls 	    Tipton Harriers 	              2:19:21
John Beattie 	    Newham & Essex Beagles 	      2:23:43
Alex Hains          Cardiff 	                      Debut
James Walsh 	    Leeds City 	                      Debut

Women 	            Club 	                      Personal Best
Liz Yelling 	    Bedford County 	              2:28:33
Claire Hallissey    Bristol 	                      2:29:27
Louise Damen 	    Winchester              	      2:30:00
Susan Partridge     Leeds City 	                      2:34:13
Alyson Dixon 	    Chester-le-Street 	              2:34:50
Amy Whitehead 	    Sale Harriers Manchester 	      2:35:39
Helen Decker 	    Ipswich Jaffa 	              2:35:43
Michelle Ross-Cope  City of Stoke 	              2:36:02
Becky Penty 	    Highgate Harriers 	              2:36:19
Rebecca Robinson    Kendal 	                      2:37:14
Freya Murray 	    Chester-le-Street 	              Debut
Sonia Samuels 	    Sale Harriers Manchester 	      Debut
                            
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