Claire Hallisey’s all-out performance in Sunday’s London Marathon booked her a place in the GB Marathon team for the 2012 Olympics.
The 29-year-old Briton beat Jo Pavey to the squad’s third and final spot as she took a final sprint to the finish line with her personal best of two hours, 27 minutes, and 44 seconds. Her performance made Hallisey the first Briton home in 11th, joining previously-selected marathoners Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi. Hallisey took the spot by running 40 seconds faster than the time set by Jo Pavey, who did not join this year’s race.
“I’m absolutely thrilled. I think it’s still sinking in. I’m very, very happy. It’s a dream come true, it’s what you aspire to, getting on to an Olympic team,” Hallisey expressed in an interview.
“I am delighted to welcome Claire and Dave to Team GB to make their Olympic debuts in London,” Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt expressed. “The group of five Team GB marathon athletes now includes an excellent blend of up-and-coming runners with greatly experienced athletes, led by five-time Olympian Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi, who finished sixth at the last Olympics.”
Joining the team are David Webb and Scott Overall, the only British men in the marathon after Lee Merrien ran 2:13.41 in London missing the qualifying Olympic “A” standard of 2:12.00. Overall ran the qualifying time in Berlin last year while Webb earned the spot when he ran the A standard time and finished 15th in the World Championships in Deagu, August 2011. Both men are determined to work hard over the coming months and to keep their shape in the best possible condition.
Meanwhile, Jo Pavey defended her decision not to join last Sunday’s London race. According to her, the desire to be in the best shape for the Olympics prevented her from joining the marathon. She opted to concentrate training for the 5000m and 10,000m race to qualify in the track.
The 29-year-old Briton beat Jo Pavey to the squad’s third and final spot as she took a final sprint to the finish line with her personal best of two hours, 27 minutes, and 44 seconds. Her performance made Hallisey the first Briton home in 11th, joining previously-selected marathoners Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi. Hallisey took the spot by running 40 seconds faster than the time set by Jo Pavey, who did not join this year’s race.
“I’m absolutely thrilled. I think it’s still sinking in. I’m very, very happy. It’s a dream come true, it’s what you aspire to, getting on to an Olympic team,” Hallisey expressed in an interview.
“I am delighted to welcome Claire and Dave to Team GB to make their Olympic debuts in London,” Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt expressed. “The group of five Team GB marathon athletes now includes an excellent blend of up-and-coming runners with greatly experienced athletes, led by five-time Olympian Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi, who finished sixth at the last Olympics.”
Joining the team are David Webb and Scott Overall, the only British men in the marathon after Lee Merrien ran 2:13.41 in London missing the qualifying Olympic “A” standard of 2:12.00. Overall ran the qualifying time in Berlin last year while Webb earned the spot when he ran the A standard time and finished 15th in the World Championships in Deagu, August 2011. Both men are determined to work hard over the coming months and to keep their shape in the best possible condition.
Meanwhile, Jo Pavey defended her decision not to join last Sunday’s London race. According to her, the desire to be in the best shape for the Olympics prevented her from joining the marathon. She opted to concentrate training for the 5000m and 10,000m race to qualify in the track.
