Yamauchi knocked three seconds off her personal best
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Britain's Mara Yamauchi set a personal best time on her way to winning the Osaka International Marathon on Sunday.
The Japan-based athlete shaved three seconds off her career best, winning in two hours 25 minutes and 10 seconds.
"I made a mess of things last year," said Yamauchi, who finished ninth at the Osaka World Championships. "I was determined to be stronger this time."
Yamauchi will be looking to join fellow Briton Paula Radcliffe in the marathon field at this summer's Olympic Games.
Her display saw her become the first Briton to achieve an Olympic 'A' qualifying standard in any event this year, and will almost certainly guarantee her an Olympic place.
The 33-year-old, whose husband is Japanese, has back-to-back sixth-place finishes in the London Marathon in 2006 and 2007, but has not registered for this year's race around the capital.
She added: "I am happy with my first marathon victory. I was hoping to run little faster, but a win is a win, so I am very happy."
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