Shaftesbury Barnet’s Marilyn Okoro believes she is still the best 800m runner in Britain, despite being humbled by rival Jemma Simpson for the second time in a month at the Aviva London Grand Prix.

Okoro had to settle for third at Crystal Palace as Simpson again came out on top ahead of Jenny Meadows in a carbon copy of the Aviva World Trials and UK Championships in Birmingham a fortnight ago.

However, unlike her previous outing, Okoro did not get it wrong in south London, she just was not as fast as Simpson who clocked 2:01.08minutes to win – seven-tenths of a second ahead of the 24-year-old.

Okoro was disconsolate after surrendering her British crown in the Midlands but, despite missing out again, believes Simpson’s dominance is not representative of the truth.

“I still think I am the top 800m runner in Britain, despite what has happened,” said Okoro. “Unfortunately, there wasn’t a pace-setter at Crystal Palace and that made things difficult.

“I did request one, because without someone at the front there was nobody taking the pace on and, as it wore on, the race just got slower and slower.

“It was a really good field and a good simulation of what is going to happen in Berlin at the World Championships, but obviously I don’t want the result to be the same.

“I was lacking some speed in my legs and I am not as sharp as I was last year. But I have had a lot of work on my back this week and maybe that is why I just didn’t feel as good as I could have.”

The Shaftesbury Barnet ace’s next chance to live up to her word will come in Berlin, with Simpson already guaranteed a place on the plane to Germany and Okoro and Meadows almost certain to join her.

Okoro – who failed to make the Olympic 800m final in Beijing last summer – is currently the fastest Brit on paper having run 1:59.27minutes indoors in February.

And, despite Simpson holding the upper hand outdoors, with a run 1:59.31minutes in Madrid earlier this month, Okoro insists her focus lies with herself and herself alone.

“I might squeeze in a sneaky 400m somewhere between now and Berlin, but I wouldn’t mind tapering down for that now,” she added.

“I want to focus on coming good at the worlds – it is good to get races in beforehand but I think the next time I get out on the track, I will try and execute my best race.”

* As Principal Partner of UKA, McCain has a long term commitment to athletics that will have a significant impact on the development of athletic talent in the UK and will increase opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in the sport. For more information, go towww.mccaintrackandfield.co.uk