April 2026: Performance round up
April is the month of the marathons, with thousands taking to the streets across the country to complete the challenge. There were great performances from England athletes across this distance, but also in the inaugural Home Countries International trail race. Catch up on the action in our April performance round up.
Marathon mania
This year, the Manchester Marathon played host to both the England Athletics Marathon Championships and the first masters representative race of the season. These races were reflective of the electric atmosphere of the streets of Manchester. Will Strangeway (Lincoln Wellington) was crowned the England Athletics men’s marathon champion finishing in 2:15:42, whilst Naomi Robinson (Birmingham Running Athletics and Triathlon Club, Daniel Robinson) topped the podium in the women’s event in 2:36:56.
Meanwhile, the masters international representative race saw England, Wales and Northern Ireland battle it out for supremacy. The strength in depth of the England team was clear as they secured clean sweeps of the podium in the F35, F45, F50, F60, F70, M35, M40 and M55 events. The M55 category also saw the Midlands Masters AC Williams twins representing England, we caught up with them following the event to see what it meant to them to represent England together.
Tearing up the trails
Keswick in the Lake District played host to the inaugural Home Countries International trail race on 11 April. Despite early setbacks with athletes dropping out due to injury, both the England men’s and women’s teams finished strong to secure their spots on top of the podium. Ben Rothery (Ilkley Harriers AC, Sarah McCormack) was also the fastest finisher, just 12 seconds ahead of teammate Bertie Houghton (Hallamshire Harriers, Lewis Moses).
There’s plenty more athletics and running action in the coming weeks with England teams due to compete at:
- Masters representative 10k: 10 May
- Halle Throws: 16-17 May
- Loughborough International: 17 May
- Nottwil World Para Athletics Grand Prix: 21-23 May
- International Athletics Meeting Fuerteventura event (combined events): 30-31 May
- World Athletics Race Walking Challenge: 31 May
- Pickering Memorial International: 31 May
- Commonwealth Games (phase 1): 27 July-1 August