Sport

29 Apr 09

Nikki Emerson of Magdalen College came 9th in the women's wheelchair race in the 2009 London Marathon

An Oxford University alumna was the second woman across the line in last weekend’s 29th London Marathon. Mara Yamauchi, who graduated from St Anne’s in 1992, finished the course in a lifetime best of 2 hours 23 minutes and 12 seconds.

In addition to Mara’s success, Nikki Emerson, a student at Magdalen College, was the 9th woman to finish the wheelchair race on her first time competing in the London Marathon.

Germany’s Irina Mikitenko took first place in the women’s race but Mara was challenging her up until the 20-mile mark. However, Japan-based Mara slashed her personal best by almost two minutes to make her the second fastest British marathon runner of all time, behind Paula Radcliffe. To come second, she also beat the three medallists from last summer’s Olympics.

‘I've been improving gradually for the last four or five years so if I continue to improve up to 2.20 by 2012 I think a 2.20 can challenge for a medal,’ Mara said. ‘I was sixth in Beijing – there's not that much more to do.’ Mara will now be challenging for a medal at the World Championships in Germany in August.

Nikki Emerson finished the 26.2 mile course in 3 hours 17 minutes although she was disappointed not to finish in a faster time after suffering a technical hitch when her front wheel hit a bump and lost its steering. However, Nikki said: ‘It was the most incredible experience and the crowd were just amazing - you felt you couldn't stop because they were always cheering you on. I'm so glad my 1st marathon could be on home soil, I'm so lucky to have qualified for it after only going in the racing chair for 6 weeks.’

This weekend she will be aiming to qualify for the Junior European Championships.