• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Right To Play Charity Challenges
• Right To Play
  World Cup
• Right To Play and Corporate Partners
• Annual Report
• Right To Play International News (opens in a new window)

Liz Yelling Q&A

Right To Play Ambassador, Liz Yelling’s performance at this year’s London Marathon was her best ever and secured her a place at the Olympics. Everyone at Right To Play would like to congratulate her for her achievement and wish her all the best with her preparation for Beijing.

Liz was good enough to answer a few of our questions about the race in London and how she is looking forward to the Olympics.

Have you enjoyed all the excitement surrounding your performance at this year's London Marathon?

Of course! Immensely, I have had so much support from everyone this year. It was great that Hayley Haining and I were able to have a good race and keep people on the edge of their seats. I was surprised by the exposure I received and the amount of support I had on the streets of London, the people who toughed out the rain really boosted me especially on the last 6 miles when I was digging deep.

There was a lot riding on this year's Londonmarathon for you, were you especiallynervous?

I was really focused on my own race before I came to London. Then after all the press conferences and interviews I realised they were really making a big deal out of the race between Hayley and I and I did start to doubt whether I would beat Hayley. To be honest I was not expecting the attention and thought we would just be lost in the race. So the few days prior to the marathon the pressure was building. Of course I was nervous as I really wanted to race well, and get the one spot for Olympic selection. I decided to focus on my own race, bit I also knew Hayley would not make the race easy for me and that I would needa great race to beat her. I was pleased with the way I handled the pressure and managed to use it to motivate myself during the race.

You achieved a personal best time, did everything go to plan or are there still improvements you can make before Beijing?

I was pleased with finally breaking 2.30, but I still feel that there is more to come. The first few miles of the race were quite erratic, only doing 6 minutes for the first mile, already 30secs down on where we should have been. I also lost focus during the race, partly because I dropped off the lead group at 9 miles, fearing that I should save some energy should Hayley catch me during the race. Turning to see Hayley just behind me at 19 miles was the big wake up call I needed to dig deep and run strong to the end. I feel that if I run a more consistent race in the future that I could improve on my time.

How are you preparing for the tough conditions you will face in Beijing?

I plan to take a trip to Florida and do some training there to get used to the heat and humidity for a few weeks with my husband. We have trained there before and I know it will be great for my running. I will return home to do some races and check on my form before I go to the British holding camp prior to the games.

What does it mean to you have the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games?

The Olympics is the pinnacle of sporting achievement in my eyes and it is such a special occasion. I am so excited to be a part of one of the largest sporting events in the world, where people from all cultures come together with a common goal, living in the same space, competing in the games, how unique is that? The buzz at an Olympic games will be nothing like I have experienced before. I also want to do well at the games, its not just about gaining selection, it is about running my best ever when I get there, so I have a lot of hard work to do over the next 3 months.