GB Marathon selections for World Championships

This is how Team GB will be selected for the World Championships marathon in Eugene, Oregon next July. These athletes may also consider whether they would rather run in the European or Commonwealth Games marathons, where the chance of a higher finish, or even a medal could be up for consideration.

In the U.S., there is one championship for marathoners this year, yet, USATF published the qualification standards after most of the marathons that would be used for qualification had happened. Sure hope that that does not happen again, as there is no way to plan out the year.

Charlotte Purdue, photo by London Marathon Media

Chris Thompson, photo by Getty Images/British Athletics

GB Marathon selections

It is a big year for British athletes with a World Championship, a Commonwealth Games, and a European Championship. For Marathon runners, there is obviously a need to choose – rather than attempt all three.

Five athletes have been selected for the World Championships in Oregon as follows:

Charlotte Purdue, London Marathon, photo by London Marathon Media

Women
Rose Harvey
Jess Piasecki
Charlotte Purdue

Rose Harvey, photo by London Marathon Media

Men
Josh Griffiths
Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson, 2021 British Olympic marathon Trials, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics

Piasecki recently moved to second in the UK all-time women’s rankings after running a time of 2:22.25 at the Seville Marathon, which leaves her behind only Paula Radcliffe in the standings.

Charlotte Purdue ran a personal best of 2:23.26 at the London Marathon last October. Rose ran a PB performance of 2:27.17 in Seville last month.

40-year-old Chris Thompson will compete at his first World Championships. He was the top British athlete in the men’s 2020 Olympic marathon and he topped the UK rankings last year with a time of 2:10.52, which was a lifetime best.

Welshman Josh Griffiths (Swansea) is called-up for his second World Athletics Championships having also competed in 2017. He impressed at the Seville marathon last month as he ran a career-best of 2:11.28.

A wise decision to confirm selection early so that athletes can plan their season accordingly.