Mo Farah and Mara Yamauchi are tuning up for the Beijing Olympics

Great Britain's distance runners will use a new 10km race through the streets of London as part of their preparation for this summer's Olympic Games.

Mo Farah, the 2006 European 5,000m silver medallist, and marathon runner Dan Robinson lead the men's challenge in May's inaugural BUPA London 10,000.

Mara Yamauchi, who set a marathon personal best this year, joins a strong women's field along with Liz Yelling.

London Marathon winners Martin Lel and Irina Mikitenko are also taking part.

The champions return to the capital for the 26 May race, which will run along part of the proposed route of the London 2012 Olympic marathons.

"After winning my third London Marathon title last month, I'm delighted to be coming back so soon for the BUPA London 10,000," said Kenyan Lel.

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"London is a special place for me and I will be doing my best to become a London champion yet again."

Mikitenko, who set a personal best to win the London Marathon added: "I hope I can perform just as well here as I did in April, and with the same result."

The new 10km starts in Birdcage Walk and goes through Parliament Square, Victoria Embankment, St Paul's Cathedral, the City and Trafalgar Square before finishing in The Mall.

As well as the elite athletes, 12,500 runners raising funds for charity are taking part in the event.