The 2026 UK Athletics Marathon Championships saw both Mahamed Mahamed and Eilish McColgan successfully defend their national titles from 2025  at the London Marathon.

Mahamed produced a superb run to finish tenth overall, clocking a lifetime best of 2:06:14. The performance moves him to second on the UK all-time list behind Mo Farah.

“Everything felt smooth, everything was perfect. The conditions were great and the atmosphere was amazing.

“The plan was just to stick with the group. We were pushing each other a lot, so it is a positive that the Brits are pushing it along the way. We were chasing the guys in front, and it is happy days today.”

Patrick Dever claimed silver in 2:06:18, elevating him to third on the UK all-time list. Weynay Ghebresilase ran 2:06:28 to secure bronze, moving to sixth all-time and setting a Scottish record.

In the women’s race, McColgan finished seventh overall in 2:24:51, just outside her personal best in what was only her second career marathon following her debut last year.

The four-time European medallist battled through a painful blister that developed mid-race.

“I am obviously a little bit disappointed with my time, everyone wants to run a PB. I set off at a good pace and felt strong through halfway, but I had a bit of trouble with my foot and a really bad blister, so I was running awkwardly from halfway onwards.

“I got through it, and I am really pleased that I finished today. There were plenty of points where I was not sure it was going to happen.”

Rose Harvey secured silver in 2:26:14, with Louise Small taking bronze in 2:28:29.

Elsewhere, there were several standout British performances across the day. Richard Whitehead improved his own world record for a double above-knee amputee, running 2:40:25.

In the men’s wheelchair race, David Weir claimed bronze in 1:29:23, marking an extraordinary 27th London Marathon appearance.

“It has been a tough week for me, but I knew I was in good shape, feeling fit and healthy.”

After suffering an equipment issue before the start of her race, Eden Rainbow-Cooper fought back impressively to finish 11th, just a week after winning the Boston Marathon.

“I will be honest, there were a lot of tears and there still are. It is really difficult knowing how good I felt at the start. Equipment problems happen, it is part of racing.

“I am proud of myself for both Boston and London for different reasons. What got me to the end in both was grit, determination and a willingness to push through the pain, and I am still happy.”