Boston Marathon: Callie Hauger-Thackray runs the 2026 race while 22 weeks pregnant

For an elite athlete who has represented Great Britain at the Olympics, running the Boston Marathon in 2 hours and 43 minutes may not seem like much of an accomplishment.

This is, after all, more than 20 minutes slower than her personal best.

But Callie Hugger-Thackray managed it while 22 weeks pregnant on Monday — and refers to the race as an “incredible” and “most important” moment in her career.

The 33-year-old, from Sheffield, ran the same race last year and finished sixth in 2:22:38, and knew she would face a tougher task this year.

She told BBC Sport: “I’m grateful to have made it through the day. Covering 26.2 miles is not easy, and to do it during pregnancy, I’m so grateful.”

Like any marathon runner, I encountered a few hiccups along the course. She had to be treated for a pinched nerve in her buttock at mile five, and again at mile 11.

“I had to rush to the medical tank because I had this crazy nerve.

“I couldn’t really lift my right leg properly. I was dragging it and I was like, ‘Oh no, this isn’t good and this is five miles.’ I was like, ‘Guys, is there anything you can do?’

“Luckily they were great and were able to get it off the ground.

“I made two stops, as you do when you’re pregnant, you need them more than ever, but that was all before mile 13.

“The second half felt flawless, like I was in tune with my body. I felt like a million dollars. I was like, ‘Okay, we’re actually doing this.’ Because there were a few times before mile 13, which is the halfway point, I didn’t think I was going to finish this race.”