MARA Yamauchi admits a bruised heel cost her dear as she went into the London 2012 women's marathon yesterday battling the injury.

The Harrow Athletics Club distance star was forced to drop out less than six miles into the event in rain-swept central London.

And now, just eight days short of her 39 th birthday, Britain's second-fastest ever female marathon runner believes her Olympic dream is over.

Yamauchi said: “Yes, I had a heel bruise, which I was able to run on, I was able to manage it. It wasn't the best situation to go into an Olympic marathon with, but I was confident I could give it a go. On the second corner it started hurting. I did my best.

“I was confident cardiovascular-wise I could compete and had been running on my heel. I decided it wasn't that bad and I could run. I had much higher hopes and thought I could compete, but sadly it's not to be.

“It's not the best place to drop out of an Olympic marathon, at a home Games, but I gave it my best. I didn't want my Olympics journey to end like this, but here we are.”