Also drafted into the men's team was Dave Webb, who put himself in the frame for qualification by finishing in the top 20 at last year's IAAF World Championships.

Hallissey, a 29-year-old based in the United States, set a new personal best of 2 hours 27min 44sec to be the first Briton home in 11th place.

Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi have already been selected for the marathon.

Hallissey staked her claim for a place by running 40 seconds quicker than the time set last year by Jo Pavey, who opted to sit out this year's race.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," she said.

"I think it's still sinking in – it's a dream come true.

"It's what you aspire to, getting onto an Olympic team."


Webb joins the previously selected Scott Overall in the men's team, but there is no-one to fill the third possible place after Lee Merrien's personal best of 2:13:41in London missed the Olympic A qualifying standard of 2:12 – which Overall beat in Berlin last year.

"I'm delighted to be selected," said Webb.

"I'm going to work extremely hard over the coming months to be in the best possible condition to compete well at the Games."

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt added: "I am delighted to welcome Claire and Dave to Team GB to make their Olympic debuts in London.

"The group of five Team GB marathon athletes now includes an excellent blend of up and coming runners with greatly experienced athletes."

Meanwhile, Pavey has defended her decision not to run in Sunday's Virgin London Marathon.

"People maybe misunderstood why I didn't run in London," she said.

"I would have liked to but I want to be in the best shape for the Olympics and the recovery time is not long enough for me to perform well at the Games.

"It's a weight lifted off my mind because now I know what I have to focus on: I'll turn my attention to the 5,000 and 10,000 metres, and trying to qualify on the track."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2012: Kenyans dominate Virgin London Marathon as Hallissey lays claim to last GB Olympic place
April 2012: Marathon queen Radcliffe "may not go to London 2012 start line", reveals team-mate
December 2011: Radcliffe's fifth Olympics confirmed as Yamauchi and Overall also get London 2012 nod