LEE MERRIEN is targeting a marathon spot at the London 2012 Olympics.

The Channel Islands’ all-time best middle and long distance runner is using this weekend’s Great North Run over the half-marathon distance as the first step towards his considered move up through the distances to 26 miles 385 yards.

The 30-year-old won a second successive 1,500m and 5,000m double at this summer’s Natwest Island Games in Aland, but he has now decided to tackle the longer distances, starting with a potential maiden marathon debut in London next spring.

‘It’s something I’ve had in mind for a while, as the event to take me to the London Olympics,’ he said. ‘After some reflection of this past season and with the Olympics only three years away, now seems the right time to start making the changes required.

‘Last season was arguably my most successful to date with two Great Britain selections on the country and my first outdoor national medal on the track.’

But, as he explained, he was not happy with his track season despite the efforts in Aland and third place at the national championships in Birmingham.

‘[It was] below par after struggling to recover from illness and general fatigue after over-cooking training in April.

‘Anyway, after looking at things as a whole, I think the future lies with the longer distances in order to achieve what I want from the sport.

‘The changes in training need to start now though as, while a 5k runner might still be able to race well at 10k and even a half marathon, the training required for the marathon is significantly different. ‘