2025 flash quotes

On the win and equalling Jo Pavey’s record: 

“I am absolutely buzzing with today. I think that was only 10 seconds off my best on this course from three years ago. So it is nice to know you can still come back from injury and illness and compete at this level. To match Jo Pavey, who is one of my heroes in this sport, is really special.” 

On the race and a strong field: 

“When I woke up this morning the weather was amazing, so I was like, ‘Please stay like this!’ It was really nice. It was a really good field today, a lot of high-quality men at the very top of the field so there were people around me the whole way and that makes a big difference too, rather than doing a women’s-only race, it is nice to have a big mix. I think that definitely helped the last couple of miles when I was starting to really hurt and tire and I was battling all the way to the Finish Line with people.”  

On the crowd support: 

“It is amazing, every time I come to London it is always so well attended; just the whole way around the course people are cheering you on. Again, that helps with motivation when you start getting a little bit tired and you think you’ve gone off a bit too hard, the cheers of people keep you going. 

“I always get people shouting my mum’s name; they’re like, ‘Come on Liz, oh, actually Eilish!’” 

Advice on getting more women into running: 

“I think not to be afraid, an event like this is perfect; it is for everyone. All ages, all abilities, it doesn’t matter if it’s your first-ever race or you’re gunning for a PB [personal best] and have done this race 10 times. Everyone is on the same Start Line, which is so unique. So make the most of the opportunity to put yourself out there, everyone has their own personal best so it doesn’t matter if you’re first, tenth or last place. You have your own time to try and beat and I think that is what makes our sport particularly unique.” 

On what’s next: 

“[The TCS] New York [City] Marathon is the next big one for me, not sure if I will do a race in between then and now. I did [the] Great North [Run] and got sick after that so wasn’t sure how I would feel today, but I am really happy to feel strong and back to full health so hopefully can push on these next four weeks.” 

On the race:

“I found it good, I was so nervous it was going to feel really fast. The last three weeks I’ve probably done about 330 miles so my legs are pretty battered. It was quite nice, this week I dropped down to about 90 so that felt a bit better, but it was just hard. I wanted to get out and follow Eilish for as long as possible, I know she is in really good shape so I was like just hang on for as long as I can. I probably got to about 5 or 6K then it started to really bite, so I just hung on and I am really happy with that.” 

On whether she will run the 2025 TCS New York Marathon at start of November: 

“I am really enjoying the hilly runs, I’ve done a lot of longer stuff, so that felt a bit of a shock to the system, that is what I was more nervous about, that 10K today, so I am taking it day by day and we said get to October and make a decision. I am really happy with how it is going, I feel strong at the moment, I just don’t feel particularly fast so that was a nice run-out. 

On running the famous central London 10K route today: 

“It was really fun, I grew up about 30 minutes away on the train. We used to come for day trips to London as a family and running past certain places that we went is really nice and nostalgic.  

“So many people cheering you on and my dad and sister where here and my husband was racing as well, it’s just been a really fun day out. This finish is just amazing, when you walk past it all; it inspires you to do London Marathon as well.” 

On the race: 

“The route was amazing; I’ve been dying to get into a race where I could be in the mix with people. A few of my previous races I’ve been detached or just a bit clueless really with how to approach a race so first and foremost, I welcomed being in the crowd – I was using a lot of the guys to help me push through to a PB [personal best].  

“And then, I was so excited to come to London – I’ve seen obviously the London Marathon and all the events on the roads of the UK and to be a part of that today was incredible – it’s a brilliant day for it. It was amazing.”  

On her performance and what’s next: 

“My PB prior to this was 32:28, I believe; I’ve been doing a couple [of 10K races], I think this is only my fifth one, and according to my watch today – unofficially I got 31:27, so I lost a minute. I’m on the lead-up to Amsterdam Half – I’m three weeks away – which is actually one of my main goals this year. 

“Today I didn’t put any expectations on the time. I knew from previous races here that it was going to be fast, so I sort of took away the pressures of a time in mind and just raced.  

“I know I’m in fit condition for a half marathon but I didn’t know where I was at 10K-wise, so it was quite nice coming in in the dark and then that’s the amazing outcome. Expect the unexpected I always think.” 

On the win: 

“I am very happy! I have been away from racing for more than two months so today was to test out where the fitness was. I’ve got Valencia Half Marathon at the end of October, so that is one of my main targets.” 

Advice for aspiring runners: 

“Athletics is easy to get into, as long as you like fitness and enjoy what you do. Just go and enjoy the local clubs, for example parkruns every Saturday, that is where I started. Athletics is really easy to access.” 

On the race:

“It was an OK time today; next week I have another race so I didn’t push it too hard, I keep it easy. The course today is so good… I enjoyed it; last year I came second which is good, but this year it was slow because next week I have a race.” 

On the race: 

“It was a good performance, but I forget how twisty the course is. I always want to go quicker. I had a tough time after [the] Paris [Olympics] as I was injured slightly, so I wasn't at my peak and wanted to be ready for [the] New York [City Marathon]. This time I was in good shape and it is nice to keep racing ahead of [the] Chicago [Marathon]. Today was a good test and it’s basically a six-mile sprint for me!” 

 On conditioning later in his career: 

“It is the little things. In previous years I need to do a bit more racing before big marathons like Chicago and New York, but it takes dedication.  

“It has been a tough year and there have been a few times where I have felt like quitting, especially after such a bad winter ahead of [the 2025 TCS] London [Marathon].  

“I was going into races cold and it destroyed me afterwards. I had to pick myself back up and dig deep and do things I haven't done before. I had a decent summer apart from a crash at the end of July. Since, my training has been good, and my recovery strategies have been working well.” 

 On his recovery from a collision with a car in July 2025 

“I still feel the cuts and bruises a bit after races but not where the impact was. But that may just be old age!”