Donnelly claims historic bronze as Britain secure women’s marathon team gold
Abbie Donnelly becomes first British woman to win individual marathon medal at the event, while Great Britain’s team triumph moves them within one gold of leaders Italy.
Abbie Donnelly has become the first British woman to win an individual marathon medal at the European Championships, securing bronze in Birmingham on Sunday. The 29-year-old from Lincolnshire finished in two hours, 27 minutes, and 33 seconds, placing behind Hungary’s Lili Anna Vindics-Toth and Finland’s Alisa Vainio, who claimed gold.
Vainio won the race in 2:22:26, beating the previous championship record by nearly three minutes. Donnelly described the course as “so hilly,” noting that the terrain took a toll on her legs, particularly her quads, during the descent. She credited a cautious start strategy for helping her manage the physical demands of the route, allowing her to hold on for the bronze medal, finishing just 12 seconds after the Hungarian winner.
Great Britain also secured team gold in the women’s marathon, beating Italy and Spain to the top of the podium. Donnelly was joined on the podium by teammates Natasha Wilson, who finished fifth, and Rose Harvey, who placed 14th. The team triumph delivered Great Britain’s seventh overall gold at the championships, leaving them one medal behind leaders Italy going into the final evening of action.
The result marks a significant milestone for British athletics, surpassing the previous highest finish by a female British marathon runner at the event. Kath Binns achieved ninth place in 1982, a record that stood for over four decades. Donnelly, formerly a cross country runner who transitioned to road racing, had previously won two team golds at the European Cross Country Championships and a team gold in the half-marathon at the 2024 European Championships in Rome.
Speaking after the race, Donnelly expressed pride in the team’s collective performance and the atmosphere of the home championships. She noted that having Wilson as a companion in the chasing pack for much of the race was a “massive” help. “It means everything to do this here in Birmingham,” she said, highlighting the unique experience of having the local crowd support her during the event.
