Elise Thorner’s journey to the World Athletics Championships has been nothing short of remarkable. The 24-year-old steeplechaser from Bridgwater stunned with a personal best to reach the final in her championship debut—a testament to her rapid progress and dedication.
Despite her valiant effort in a fiercely competitive 3000m steeplechase final, Thorner finished 11th with a time of 9:19.02, narrowly missing a top-10 finish by just half a second. Kenya’s Faith Cherotich claimed gold with a new Championship record, underscoring the high caliber of the event.
While many would celebrate an 11th place world finish, Thorner’s reaction was mixed with disappointment—a clear sign of her growing ambition. “I went in just to compete like I have all year, and I gave it my all," she reflected. “My coach told me to give it my heart and soul, and I did. I sound a bit disappointed because I expect more from myself. To be 11th in the world was once beyond my dreams. We will be back stronger.”
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Since returning to the UK from training at the University of Florida, Thorner has flourished under the guidance of former European Indoor champion Helen Clitheroe. This new phase in her career has already yielded accolades, including her first Novuna UK Athletics Championship title, which secured her place at the Worlds.
The electric atmosphere at the Tokyo National Stadium, now filled with enthusiastic crowds unlike during the Olympics four years ago, provided the perfect stage for Thorner’s debut. She embraced the experience, even as her impatience grew on the starting line. “The crowd’s support was incredible, and although I was eager to start, it was amazing to be out there among the world’s best. We’re going to keep dreaming and come back stronger.”
With the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Championships in Birmingham on the horizon for 2026, Elise Thorner is already setting her sights on further success. Her breakthrough at the World Championships signals a bright future for this determined athlete.