Britain’s Mara Yamauchi hopes to fire a warning to her rivals ahead of the 2012 Olympics by claiming a podium place in today’s New York Marathon.

Yamauchi will be among the 55-strong elite women field lining up on the Verranzano Narrow bridge this morning to start what will be her first New York Marathon.

If the Kenya-born runner, who moved to England at the age of eight, crosses the finishing line in Central Park in first position, it will represent by far the biggest achievement of her career.

Yamauchi is Britain’s best hope at the race given that world record holder Paula Radcliffe will be absent after the recent birth of her second child.

The 36-year-old, who only turned professional six years ago after giving up her career as a diplomat, has been buoyed by victory in the New York half-marathon in March and knows victory today would give her a good platform to build on ahead of what will almost certainly be the final Olympics of her career.

“I would be really happy with a place in the top three,” she said.

“It’s a really strong field and it’s on a really tough course.

“A top-three finish would give me a really big confidence boost ahead of the Olympics because it would show me that I can compete with the best in the world.

“Everything has been geared towards 2012. It would be a dream to win an Olympic medal. It would be sensational to do it in your own country. It would be the most amazing thing ever.”