Historic Bronze for Abbie Donnelly at European Marathon Championships
By Editor • August 16, 2026 • 1 min read
In a remarkable achievement for British athletics, Abbie Donnelly clinched bronze in the women’s marathon at the European Championships in Birmingham, marking the first time a British woman has earned a marathon medal at this event. Completing the race in 2:27:33, Donnelly finished just behind Hungary’s Lili Anna Vindics-Toth, while Finnish runner Alisa Vainio set a new championship record with her gold medal time of 2:22:26.
Donnelly’s podium finish not only highlights her personal triumph but also contributed to Great Britain’s team gold, with teammates Natasha Wilson and Rose Harvey finishing fifth and fourteenth, respectively. This victory adds to Great Britain’s impressive tally of seven team golds in the history of the championships, trailing only Italy.
Reflecting on her experience, Donnelly expressed her gratitude for the home crowd, stating, "It means everything to do this here in Birmingham… to have the crowd shout 'Abbie Donnelly' was an incredible experience." Having transitioned from cross country to road racing, she emphasized the camaraderie among her teammates and the thrill of competing in front of a supportive audience.
With her victory, Donnelly has solidified her place among Britain's marathon elite, following a successful career in cross country competition.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
