Clara Evans reached the middle of a whirlwind fortnight as she finished as the best-placed Brit in the women’s marathon at Paris 2024.
The Welshwoman was only called up to the squad as an injury replacement for Charlotte Purdue last week.
And six days after becoming an Olympian with a 46th-place finish in Paris, Evans will get married next Saturday.
Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan sprinted to the gold medal in the marathon in an Olympic Record time, with Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Helen Obiri claiming silver and bronze.
Evans finished 10 minutes and six seconds back on Hassan as she successfully negotiated one of the trickiest marathon courses the Olympics has ever seen.
“It was hard and it was hot – I wanted to stay strong for as long as possible,” Evans said.
“I only got called up last weekend, so to come first Brit makes me really proud of myself.
Clara Evans is the first Brit to cross the line in the women's marathon!
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) August 11, 2024
She has recorded a brilliant season's best of 2:33:01 and finished in 46th.
Well done @ClaraEvans4!#Paris2024 | #Athletics pic.twitter.com/cAwVuKQzhs
“I wasn’t expecting it – I was preparing for my wedding and getting married on Saturday, so it’s been a crazy couple of weeks.
“I was really emotional and really happy.”
The other Brits in the field were Rose Harvey and Calli Haugher-Thackery, with the latter dropping out after the 25km mark.
Harvey, who was making her Olympic debut having given up her job as a lawyer, finished in 80th position.
Evans added: “I just never thought I could ever make an Olympics ever – I didn’t think I was good enough so I’m happy to do myself proud.
“I might not be as fast as other girls but I’m strong, determined on tougher courses and don’t like being told no.
“If I get told no, I want to prove people wrong.”
“I saw my family with 2km to go – they never normally watch me run as they’re looking after my dogs, so was nice to see them.”
Sportsbeat 2024