Donnelly wins Great Britain's first women's marathon medal at European Championships
Abbie Donnelly claimed bronze in the women's marathon at the European Championships in Birmingham, marking Great Britain's first-ever medal in the event. The home crowd support proved decisive for the 29-year-old runner.
British runner Abbie Donnelly won bronze in the women's marathon at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, becoming the first Great Britain athlete to medal in the event at the Europeans.
The 29-year-old said competing on home soil meant everything to her, having never previously raced at a home championships. She described hearing the crowd cheer her name as an incredible experience.
During the race, Finland's Vainio broke away early, while Donnelly and team-mate Wilson ran together for much of the course in the chasing pack. Donnelly said having each other for company was a huge help.
Hungary's Vindics-Toth eventually made the decisive move, with Donnelly following her lead. The British athlete held on through a tough uphill climb before crossing the finish line 12 seconds behind the Hungarian.
Donnelly admitted she could barely believe the result, calling it an amazing experience and a relief to complete such a hilly course. She explained she had run cautiously in the first half, anticipating that the hills — and even the downhill sections — would take a toll on her legs later on.
Path to success
Before moving to road racing, Donnelly won two team gold medals at the European Cross Country Championships. At her first European Championships in Rome in 2024, she was part of the team that won gold in the half marathon.
She expressed pride in her team's overall performance, noting they had discussed the possibility of a gold medal the day before. Donnelly also spoke of her love for the athletics community and the friendly atmosphere within the sport.
