Olympics: Susan Partridge hunts taste of Games

Producing the run of her life in the London Marathon could fulfil the 32-year-old Scot’s ambition to compete in an Olympic Games. Pushing herself beyond her body’s natural capacity, however, could see her hit the dreaded wall and inflict a fatal blow to her hopes.

Fortune may favour the brave but Partridge is not alone in facing such a dilemma. With just one spot left in the Great Britain team over this distance, up to five women will depart Blackheath and strive to arrive at the Mall with their case for selection made. “There is definitely a feeling of do or die,” admits Partridge. “You’ve got to go for it or forever regret not having tried.”

Originally from Oban but now completing her doctorate in Leeds, Partridge arrives in London in potentially the best shape of her career. In Bath last month, she lowered her half-marathon best to 71 minutes and 34 seconds, the fruits of a labour that saw her undertake winter training in Kenya before applying an extra sheen under the watchful eye of former marathon world record holder Steve Jones in the hills of Colorado.

After competing in the European and world championships in successive years, her mindset had shifted. “I knew this is what I wanted to be doing,” she declares. The Olympics now is the elusive stamp in her collection. “Probably for me, this is a one-off opportunity because I’m not sure I’ll still be running in 2016, especially at this level.”

Hence, little has been left to chance. Her doctoral studies in Leeds have been down-sized. And, for the past six weeks, she has slept inside an oxygen tent to prepare her lungs for today’s exertions. As a consequence, Partridge’s husband Martin has been relegated to the spare room.

“I could get a two-person tent but it simulates being at 9,000 feet and he can’t really just hop in and cope with that,” Partridge reveals. “He’d end up with altitude sickness.”

The end, both hope, will justify the means but a dogfight is expected to earn the privilege of joining Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi when the GB team is confirmed tomorrow.

With Jo Pavey, currently the third-ranked British woman, opting out of London, Liz Yelling, Louise Damen and Claire Hallissey are the leading contenders. However Scotland’s Freya Murray harbours hopes of out-flanking her rivals on her bow at this distance.

She will be treated with immediate respect. “I think she’s definitely the dark horse of the race,” Partridge confirms. “Everyone’s worried about her because she’s never done a marathon before. You think: ‘How will she find the longer distance?’ But she’s shown in the past that she excels at the shorter distances. She’s got that potential but nobody’s sure how it will go on her debut.”

Radcliffe is casting a shadow over them all. After an innocuous performance in Vienna last week, many have wondered aloud whether the once omnipotent Englishwoman will be ready for a final Olympic fling. The possibility that further vacancies might arise will factor in Partridge’s strategy.

“You don’t want to be running a 2:40 and put yourself out of the picture,” she concludes. “For me, there is the carrot of the Olympics. There is a slim chance to get there. But, having worked so hard, I’d like to do myself justice.”

With Scott Overall already chosen, Benedict Whitby and Lee Merrien will duel to join him in the British men’s team, with Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai tipped to repeat his 2011 race win.