Liz Yelling is adamant she can become the first British woman to win the Commonwealth Games marathon.

Yelling, the first Brit to finish in the Olympic marathon 18 months ago, feels she can match the best endurance runners competing in Melbourne.

The odds on that happening are shortened with Paula Radcliffe and Catherine Nedereba, the Commonwealth's top two stars at the distance, concentrating on money-spinning spring 'Big City' races.

"Some very good Kenyans are likely to be there," said Yelling,

Because of running the marathon distance Yelling has ruled herself out of the World Cross-Country Championships in Fukuoka a week after the Games finish.

She sees the Games as an opportunity to prove UK Athletics were wrong when they axed her from their world-class performance plan.

"I'm doing the Commonwealth marathon for me and nobody else," insisted the 31-year-old former schoolteacher and former training partner of Radcliffe.

Yelling added: "I'm not funded anymore so I'm not really obliged to be doing anything and I would like to get a medal at a major championships - this is a good opportunity for me."

Despite injury and illness forcing her to withdraw from last summer's World Championships, she declared: "I think I'm capable of getting a medal this year.

"I had overtraining syndrome pre-London last year and that put me out all summer," recalled Yelling, who finished a disappointed 14th in the world's top marathon event.

"I also had an undiagnosed hernia so I had an operation last September and basically, I've just been getting back from that.

"It was a bit of a rough year, so I'm hoping I can make amends this year."

Yelling is aware of the physical setbacks which can happen - not just before racing 26miles 385yards - but also in preparation.

"No, I'm not sure I'm in the best shape possible," she said, "but you don't know for sure almost until you step on the line."

She admitted: "In previous Commonwealth marathons they've not been the most competitive races."

Yelling's personal best of two hours 30minutes 58seconds is fast enough to win the gold medal.

She has produced some solid cross-country performances at home and abroad and believes there are two main reasons for competing so often.

She said: "Basically it's been to get myself fit and I think racing's good because it stops me over-training as well.

"It also helps you see how your form is and gives you a benchmark - and you earn some money."

But Yelling, like others axed in the UKA cost-cutting purge, knows if she can produce a world-class showing Down Under, there is a strong possibility she will be welcomed back into the fold.

There is also her desire to make the winner's podium after missing out on a medal at the 2002 Games in Manchester.

"I finished fourth in the 10,000 metres and there is always that recollection of 'if only', said Yelling. "That will help drive me along when I compete."