Emile Cairess (coach: Renato Canova, club: Leeds City) and Calli Hauger-Thackery (Nick Hauger, Hallamshire) have been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, taking place from 13–21 September 2025.
Cairess earns selection following a series of exceptional performances, including a third-place finish at the 2024 TCS London Marathon and a impressive fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games later that summer.
Hauger-Thackery has also impressed on the global stage, producing two outstanding runs within a seven-month period. She posted a lifetime best of 2:21:24 at the Berlin Marathon in September before returning with a 2:22:38 for 6th position in challenging conditions in Boston this April.
Both athletes earn selection in line with the criteria outlined in the 2025 World Athletics Championships Road Events Selection Policy.
Team Leader Paula Dunn said: “We’re delighted to confirm Emile and Calli as the first athletes selected for the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Both have demonstrated consistency and world-class performances over the past year, and we’re excited to support them as they prepare for Tokyo.”
Further selections for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for Tokyo will be announced in August.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland Marathon selections for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Tokyo:
Men
Emile Cairess (Renato Canova, Leeds City)
Women
Calli Hauger-Thackery (Nick Hauger, Hallamshire)