By David Williams
Clara Evans ended an unforgettable week with a battling 46th-place finish in the Olympic women’s marathon in Paris.
Welsh runner Evans, from Pontypridd Roadents AC, only discovered she was racing the previous weekend after the withdrawal of Charlotte Purdue, but led the Team GB contingent home in a time of 2:33.01.
Despite dashing to the Games after limited preparation, the Team Wales Commonwealth Games star delivered a hugely impressive performance.
Evans, 30, is preparing to get married next weekend and was roared on by travelling friends and family – including fiancé Paul – in the French capital.
One weeks notice to run a marathon for Team GB at the Olympics!! Only one woman for it, and it was Clara Evans, the Welsh Marathon record holder!!🏃♀️🤩#BBCOlympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/B6NmABpvcW
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) August 11, 2024
She said: “It was hard and it was hot – I wanted to stay strong for as long as possible.
“I only got called up last weekend, so to come first Brit makes me really proud of myself.
“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. I just never thought I could ever make an Olympic 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.
“Paul was out there somewhere on the course! 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.”
Clara Evans finished 46th in the marathon after a late call up to Team GB due to injury within the squad 🏃♀️💨#BBCOlympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/XDwCzR5Hi1
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) August 11, 2024
Evans broke the Welsh national record to seal her Paris 2024 qualification time.
She set a new personal best of 2:25.01 at the 2023 Valencia Marathon to break the Welsh record and go seventh on the all-time list for British athletes.
Evans, who finished ninth representing Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games marathon in Birmingham, now has an impressive list of achievements for an athlete who arrived late at elite level.
She was part of the gold medal winning quartet that won half marathon team gold at the 2024 European Championships, finishing ninth in the individual standings.
Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan sprinted to the Paris gold medal in an Olympic record time, with Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Helen Obiri claiming silver and bronze.
Britain’s Rose Harvey crossed the line in 2:51.03 after fighting through an injury sustained during the gruelling 26-mile race, while Calli Hauger-Thackery was unable to finish.
Clara Evans was prepping for a wedding not a marathon when she got a last-minute call-up to race in the Olympics.
She ended up being top Brit home too on Sunday at #Paris2024 https://t.co/LpiTx8Nyob
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) August 11, 2024
Read our recent DS stories on Clara Evans
Clara Evans Thanks ‘Familiar Faces’ As She Helps Britain To Euro Gold