Abbie Donnelly lands historic marathon bronze in Birmingham

Abbie Donnelly became the first British woman to win a European Championship marathon medal on a memorable morning in Birmingham.

Donnelly (Lincoln Wellington AC, Rob Lewis) landed a breakthrough bronze in 2:27:33 which also helped the Novuna Great Britain & Northern Ireland Team win team gold, awarded based on each nation’s best three finishers.

“I can’t believe it,” said Donnelly, Britain’s first European marathon medallist since 1974.

“It was such an exciting race, it was just about managing the pace, being cautious in the early surges and just staying strong.

“It (a medal) was an optimistic goal coming in. I had a bit of hamstring trouble in April so my block has been a bit different to normal, which probably wasn’t a bad thing. It’s easy to be a bit overcooked so if anything, I maybe timed it just right.”

“The crowd got me to the end. I had a bit of an out-of-body experience and was just being screamed at, which I love.”

Natasha Wilson (Micky Morris Racing Team, Rob Hawkins) finished fifth in a season’s best 2:27.54 as she also delivered a strong display on the undulating eight-lap route around Birmingham city centre.

“I am really happy with that,” she said. “Last night when the team staff said, ‘ Make sure you pack your podium gear’, I think that was surreal in itself.

“We were together as a team last night, and it is such a good environment. It would have been nice to get an individual medal, but Abbie got that bronze, so at least it was one of us.”

Rose Harvey (Clapham Chasers) was 14th in 2:30:34 to complete the team success.

“It wasn’t a great day for me personally, but a team gold is, I was going to say silver lining, but let’s say a gold lining, especially at a home champs,” she said. “It’s really special.”

Louise Small (Aldershot, Farnham And District Athletic Club) was 22nd in 2:33:32, with Clara Evans-Graham (Pontypridd Roadents AC, Chris Jones) 34th in 2:40:01.

In the men’s race, Mahamed Mahamed (Southampton AC, Idris Hamud) led the British charge as he crossed seventh in 2:09.43.

“It was a tough day, I wanted more,” he said. “I finished seventh but I do believe I could do more.

“When you are running with those guys it’s tough, there’s a European and a world champion in the race. I just didn’t have the kick right at the end.”

Tewelde Menges (Medway and Maidstone AC) was 40th in 2:19:45, with Jonny Mellor (Liverpool Harriers AC, Steve Vernon) 50th in 2:27:56.

“I had loads of friends and family around the course, they were all spread out on the loop,” he said.

“That’s probably the only thing that got me round the course. I think I did stop at one point and they were there to say, ‘Get through it, keep going’.

“It’s been about 11 years as a marathon runner and there have been ups and downs. I’m proud of myself for getting through it today.”

Weynay Ghebresilasie (Shettleston Harriers) pulled out at the 15km mark.