Mara Yamauchi is targeting a record-breaking double after signing up for November’s ING New York City Marathon.

The Oxford-born runner, who turns 37 tomorrow, hopes to become the first athlete to win the city’s 26.2-mile and half marathon titles in the same year.

And Yamauchi, who will also compete in September’s Bupa Great North Run, feels she is ready to win the New York showpiece.

She said: “New York is an iconic race and one of the best in the world.

“I will give it everything, and I hope to join the illustrious list of winners of this amazing race.

“I have entered before, but had to withdraw through injury, so that makes it doubly special that I’m planning to run in November.”

Yamauchi last raced in April’s London Marathon where she finished tenth after her travel plans were hit by the volcanic ash cloud.

A minor foot problem ruled her out of the Sapporo Half Marathon in July, but she is now back in full training at her base in St Moritz.

Yamauchi will focus more on strength than speed in training for New York, which is a tough, undulating course.

“I think it will be really challenging, but that’s the type of course I like,” said Yamauchi, whose set her personal best of 2hrs 23mins 12secs in the 2009 London Marathon.

“I am not a super-fast sub 2.20 type of runner. That sort of course works in my favour.

“New York is my main focus. That’s what I am aiming for.

“I really hope it works out over the next few months.”

With London 2012 firmly in her sights, the only marathon Yamauchi has definitely targeted between New York and then is the 2011 World Championships in South Korea.

She added: “In April last year, I had a physiological test which showed I had made a big improvement.

“At that stage, I felt was capable of running between 2.21 and 2.23.

“If I can remain injury free, then I’m confident I can still improve.

“I would love to go under 2.20, but with the races I have planned, that may not be possible.”