Calli Hauger-Thackery storms to Honolulu win
Sheffield's Calli Hauger-Thackery has rocked the athletics world by winning the Honolulu Marathon.
The 32-year-old failed to finish the Chicago Marathon in October - but bounced back to win in Hawaii, despite humid conditions and torrential rainfall at the start.
She even overcame a bungle at the elite fluid station - her water bottle had been placed at the wrong table and the confused athlete lost ground as she tried to find it.
Even that didn't faze her though: “It was just a mishap, it happens everywhere,” she said.
“But to be honest, I think it was a blessing in disguise because I was starting to move to the front and it was a bit early for that, so it made me chill.
"I just reeled them back in and told myself not to panic."
As for the rain - it just "made it fun" she added.
Calli had to duel it out with defending champion Cynthia Limo of Kenya and Eunice Chumba of Bahrain, a distinguished two-time Olympian.
“It was so empowering. Cynthia is an incredible racer" said Calli, according to the Athletics Weekly.
"I knew we were both hurting, but (I told myself) I’ve just got to fake it. I was hurting, but I told myself, ‘You can do anything for three miles."
The Brit crossed the finish line in 2:30:43, to be crowned the first female finisher at Kapiolani Park.
For the first time as an adult racer, she vomited - showing how much she'd put into the race.
It was quite an end to a "rollercoaster" 2025.
“I put a lot on myself this year,” said Hauger-Thackery, who has a personal best of 2:21:24 from the 2024 Berlin Marathon.
“So many A-goal races, like Boston Marathon, world champs at 10,000m. Going back and forth between track and road running, and then DNF-ing ("Did Not Finish) in Chicago was gut-wrenching.
"My only aim was to fall back in love with the marathon, finish this race … and get my confidence back,” she admitted. “To do that and win it, I can finish the year happy now.”