OXFORD’S Mara Yamauchi came through a “mini-MOT” as part of her preparations for the Olympic marathon.

The former Headington Road Runner took time out from altitude training in USA to go through the UK Athletics check-up.

Yamauchi said: “We spent three days down in San Clemente, southern California, with the staff at UKA who look after me.

“With under 100 days to go until the Olympics, it’s essential that I make sure my body stays in one piece and that I can train consistently without any niggles cropping up.

“The UKA staff do such a great job, and I’m always so grateful for their hard work, patience, professionalism, and amazing insights into how the human body works – or should work!

“After my mini-MOT we are now back in Mammoth Lakes, California for our final ten days of altitude training.”

Yamauchi, 38, will run alongside fellow Brits Paula Radcliffe and Claire Hallisey in the women’s marathon at London 2012.

Having finished sixth in the Beijing Olympics, the former Headington School pupil and Oxford University student would love to contend for a medal on home soil.

Yamauchi will race for the first time in 2012 in the Bupa Great Manchester Run – a 10k event – but she has not finalised her schedule after that.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to getting my racing shoes back on again and seeing where I’m at.”

  • ROUND one of the Mota-Vation Road Race Series, due to take place at Charlton-on-Otmoor tonight, has been postponed due to waterlogging in the car park.

Race director Michael Collins will inspect the farmer’s field, which is used for parking, tonight and plans to announce a new date either tomorrow or on Saturday.

Collins said: “It is hoped that the race can be rescheduled for Thursday, May 10.”

For more information, visit www.kidlingtonrunning.org.uk/mota-vation/mota-vation-series-2012.

  • BICESTER’S David Kuester collected two vet 65 gold medals in the Midlands (British) Masters Throwers Group (MMTG) Slingball and Iron Slingball Triathlon at Moorways Stadium, Derby.

RESULTS

  • 1kg Slingball: 1 D Kuester 37.80m.

Iron Slingball Triathlon: 1 D Kuester 96.49m (1.5kg: 37.45. 2kg: 30.64. 2.75kg: 28.40).