British Runner Eyes Mo Farah's Marathon Record in April

A rising British marathon star is finally getting his shot at rewriting the record books this spring.

Emile Cairess will race the London Marathon on April 26 with his sights set on breaking Mo Farah's British record of 2:05:11. The 28-year-old was forced to withdraw from last year's race due to an ankle tendon issue, but he's been training harder than ever in Kenya to make up for lost time.

Cairess has already proven he belongs among the world's best. He finished sixth in his London Marathon debut in 2023, then climbed to third place in 2024 with a time of 2:06:46. That performance earned him a spot at the Paris Olympics, where he impressed with a fourth-place finish.

"I already feel like I was in that kind of shape around the Olympics in 2024," Cairess says. "I've done a lot of training since then, a lot of mileage, a lot of good sessions. I've improved a lot."

The Bradford-born runner has increased his weekly mileage by about 40 kilometers since 2024. He's also set a personal best in the 10km and led the pace for 36 kilometers at a race in Valencia, helping Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee post the second-fastest British marathon time ever.

But breaking the British record isn't Cairess's ultimate goal. He's focused on competing with the top runners from Kenya and Ethiopia, not just his fellow Brits.

"I don't just want to turn up and run around and be there to take part," Cairess explains. "That's not really why I'm doing running."

Why This Inspires

Cairess represents a new era for British distance running. The country now has four male marathoners under 2:08, a dramatic improvement from just five years ago when the sport struggled for depth.

His refusal to settle for being the best in Britain shows the mindset that creates true champions. By aiming beyond national records and competing mentally with the world's elite, Cairess is pushing himself to heights that seemed impossible for British runners not long ago.

The setback from missing last year's race only fueled his determination. While recovering, he watched from the sidelines knowing he had the fitness to compete. Now he's channeling that frustration into his training camp preparation.

Cairess will tune up at the Malaga Half Marathon on March 15 before turning his full attention to London six weeks later. If his training indicates anything, the British record that's stood since Farah set it could fall this spring.

"It always pays off in the end," Cairess says with a smile, "but it doesn't always work in the nice order you'd like it to."