Julie Culley knew she'd probably have to deliver a personal-best performance to take first place in the U.S. Olympic Trials back in late June.

She also knows she'll have to do at least that well merely to remain a blip on the radar during tomorrow's first 5000-meter preliminary heat at the Summer Olympic Games in London, England.

The 1999 North Hunterdon High graduate and Annandale resident will be in a field featuring the world's ultimate and elite distance runners, exceptional athletes who long ago surpassed a milestone like 15:13.77, which is what Culley attained while winning the 5000 during the U.S. Trials in Eugene, Ore., on June 28.

"There will be incredible competition from all over the world," said the 30-year-old Culley.

To put the situation in some perspective, the world record in the 5000 is more than a minute faster than Culley's PB. Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba, 27, holds the standard for her 14:11.15 effort in Norway four years ago, although she probably won't be among those at the starting line in Olympic Stadium 10:55 a.m. (British Summer Time) for Tuesday's prelims.

Dibaba, who was sidelined almost all of 2011 because of severe shin splints, is the defending Olympic champion in the 5000 and 10,000 but only qualified as a reserve in the former this time around. She will be back in the 10,000 again.

The world's top showing so far this year is the 14:35.62 posted by Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot in May. One of Culley's teammates, Molly Huddle (who was second at the trials), is the U.S. record-holder at 14:44. The Olympic record is 14:40.79, set by Romania's Gabriela Szabo eight years ago.

All that being stated, it's going to take a superb performance by Culley just to advance to the finals, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 10. The field for the championship race could have between a dozen and 14 runners.

"It will be a tremendous accomplishment for her to make the finals," said Frank Gagliano, her coach with the Asics/New York Track Club. "But the way she's been running, there's no doubt she can do it, if she has the day she can have.

"She knows she can't beat the best in the world but her ultimate goal is to make the finals and run a personal best. She may have to run a personal best to make the finals and come back and run another personal best to medal."

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2012 Olympics: Julie Culley competes in 5000m preliminary tomorrow in London