Briggs in GB’s European Championships squad

Leconfield long-distance athlete Becky Briggs was among the first athletes to be selected for the Great Britain & Northern Ireland squad that will compete at the European Athletics Championships in Munich later this summer.

Briggs will lead the women’s marathon team in Germany during August after winning the trial at the Manchester Marathon.

The City of Hull athlete recorded a personal best of 2:29.04 at the event – a European and British under-23 record – to be named in the squad.

She has previously competed for her country at the World Cross Country Championships and the World Half Marathon Championships.

Briggs is one of a whole host of athletes who have already achieved the qualifying standards for the major championships taking place this summer.

The 22-year-old and coach Geoff Watkin have made a performance decision on prioritising the European Championships over the Commonwealth Games.

“It has been really pleasing to see so many marathon athletes run inside the qualifying standards for major championships and Games this summer,” said Olympic Head Coach and former Great Britain & Northern Ireland athlete, Christian Malcolm.

“Competitiveness for places has been high and that is really encouraging for the event in the UK.
“As a result, athletes have had to make performance decisions on which championships they focus on this season, and we support them in their decisions.

“We have a good mixture of athletes in this European marathon squad and it has been great to see a number of athletes who have excelled in their first marathons.

“We have several GB & NI internationals in the team and also some earning their first ever British vest, so it is a proud moment for all the athletes, their coaches and their support teams.”