Yelling celebrates as she crosses the finishing line

Australian defending champion Kerryn McCann won with Kenya's Hellen Cherono second, and Yelling was third in two hours, 32 minutes and 18 seconds.

"It's awesome, I've dreamt of it since missing out in Manchester," said Yelling, who was fourth in the 10,000m four years ago.

Wales' Tracey Morris came fourth in a new personal best time.

Yelling, training partner of Paula Radcliffe at Bedford, said winning bronze would help her get over the disappointment at coming fourth in the 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

"It's just awesome. When I saw Kelly Holmes on the podium at the Olympics I thought I want to get on the podium for a medal ceremony.

I knew I was in good shape to set a good time on this course but like all championships you never know Dan Robinson

"I knew this would be a good chance. I'm just overwhelmed to have done it."

Meanwhile, Robinson finished behind Tanzania's Samson Ramadhani and Kenya's Fred Mogaka in a time of two hours, 14 minutes and 50 seconds.

He chose not to go with the early pace and opted for a steady progression through the field, which paid off in the end, as he powered past Kenya's Jacob Yator.

"I'm so pleased," said Robinson.

"I knew I was in good shape to set a good time on this course but like all championships you never know. There might be five or six guys in great shape and you can't compete with that."

The women's race climaxed in front of a packed crowd at the MCG, with 38-year-old McCann finally shaking off the challenge of Cherono in the final straight.