London Marathon: Callum Hawkins takes big step towards Tokyo 2020
- Published
Callum Hawkins took a significant step to securing a place at next year's Tokyo Olympics by setting a new Scottish record in the London Marathon.
In his first marathon since collapsing in the 2018 Commonwealth Games race, Hawkins finished 10th in two hours, eight minutes and 14 seconds.
That breached Alistair Hutton's 1985 Scottish mark of 2:09.16.
"It was really tough, it was windy about three quarters of the way around," 26-year-old Hawkins said.
"I had a funny moment when I hit 40km but I managed to get myself back together."
It guarantees Hawkins a place in the team for the World Championships in Doha later this year and thrusts him into contention for one of the three GB Olympic spots, finishing inside the qualifying time.
"It's a good stepping stone for whatever I choose towards the end of the year," he added. "Hopefully it is the worlds and hopefully I will be pushing for a medal and be in even better condition."
Robbie Simpson also ran a personal best in finishing 23rd in 2:14:56 - and fifth in the men's British Championship - with Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge winning in the second fastest marathon in history (2:02:38).
Mo Farah finished 3mins 1sec behind in the second fastest marathon time run by a Briton - a mark he already holds - to claim the British title.
Derek Rae took silver in the World Para Athletics Marathon Cup with a personal best of 2:27:08.