• Home
  • Other Sports
  • Natasha Cockram Pays Thanks After Stunning Marathon Takes Her Into World Elite

Natasha Cockram Pays Thanks After Stunning Marathon Takes Her Into World Elite

Welsh Athletics Logo

Welsh Athletics Logo

Natasha Cockram has thanked those who have helped her to rise to become a world elite level marathon runner. The Welsh Commonwealth Games star smashed the Welsh record for the distance and became the sixth fastest British woman of all time at the Valencia Marathon in Spain on Sunday. Cockram sliced almost four minutes off her previous personal best when she finished in 2:26:14 – inside the qualifying time for next year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

By Hannah Blackwell

Natasha Cockram has thanked those who have helped her to rise to become a world elite level marathon runner.

The Welsh Commonwealth Games star smashed the Welsh record for the distance and became the sixth fastest British woman of all time at the Valencia Marathon in Spain on Sunday.

Cockram sliced almost four minutes off her previous personal best when she finished in 2:26:14 – inside the qualifying time for next year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Her previous best time for the marathon was 2:30:03.

Cockram tweeted: “Thank you to everyone who has helped on this journey.”

The Gwent athlete, who set her previous PB at last year’s Olympic Trials in Kew Gardens, is now in the bracket of top-ranked global marathon runners after rapid improvement over the last couple of seasons.

Natasha Cockram won the 2021 women’s Los Angeles Marathon in 2:33:17. Pic: LA Marathon.

Last year, Cockram won the Los Angeles Marathon – just five weeks after running the London Marathon.

The Micky Morris Racing Team athlete became just the third non-African athlete to win the race in its past 12 editions when she crossed the line in 2:33.16.

Cockram finished 12th for Team Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham earlier this year when she finished in 2:40:18 – a full 14 minutes slower than her time in Valencia.

 

Related News

Rosie Eccles. Pic. Alamy

Rosie Eccles Ends Olympic Dream . . . But Will Fight for Wales at Commonwealth Games

Rosie Eccles has decided to step away from the GB Boxing World Class Programme and will not chase qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

David Williams | Mar 06, 2026
Luke Littler (L) shakes the hand of Johnny Clayton (R). Pic. Alamy

Jonny Was Good . . . But Luke Littler was Something Special in Cardiff

The roar that greeted Jonny Clayton inside the Utilita Arena Cardiff suggested Welsh darts fans believed this might finally be his night.

Paul Jones | Mar 06, 2026
Jonny Clayton. Pic. Alamy

The Ferret and The Ice Man Hope to Bring a Welsh Duel to the Boil in Cardiff

Jonny Clayton admits he has no idea who the Cardiff crowd would side with if he and Gerwyn Price set up an all-Welsh final on Premier League night five.

Gareth James | Mar 05, 2026
Glamorgan Cricket. Pic. Alamy

Glamorgan Call off Oman Tour as Dan Cherry Outlines Safety Concerns

Glamorgan have abandoned their pre-season trip to Oman with chief executive Dan Cherry making it clear that events in the Middle East left the club with little alternative.

David Williams | Mar 05, 2026
Mark Williams. Pic. Alamy

Triple Blow as Mark Williams, Jak Jones and Jackson Page are Sent Packing from the Welsh Open

Welsh hopes at the 2026 Welsh Open were extinguished in a single evening as Mark Williams, Jak Jones and Jackson Page all crashed out on Thursday.

Gareth James | Feb 27, 2026
Mark Williams. Pic: Alamy

Mark Williams . . . Carrying The Flag for Wales Again With Help From Jak Jones and Jackson Page

Mark Williams is once again carrying Welsh hopes at the Welsh Open after producing a vintage display to reach the last 16 in Llandudno.

Gareth James | Feb 26, 2026