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 an impressive fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games later that summer. The 27-year-old earned a personal best during the 2024 London Marathon clocking an impressive 2:06:46 performance.
First on the plane to Tokyo 🛫@EmileCairess and Calli Hauger-Thackery will compete for GB & NI in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships this summer 🔥
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) May 9, 2025
Hauger-Thackery has also impressed on the global stage, producing two outstanding runs within seven months. 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. The 32-year-old also ran a 2:22:17 in New York in 2023 at the McKirdy Midcro Marathon.
Both athletes earn selection based on 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 Tokyo World Athletics Championships Great Britain and Northern Ireland team will be announced in August.
