Britain’s second-fastest marathoner Calli Hauger-Thackery closing her breakthrough year at the Honolulu Marathon.

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Britain’s 2nd-Fastest Marathoner Ever, Calli Hauger-Thackery, Will End Incredible Year by Racing the Honolulu Marathon

Calli Hauger-Thackery will close out the most transformative season of her career by toeing the line at the Honolulu Marathon, a race known as much for its tropical beauty as its punishing humidity. For the 33-year-old Briton now officially the second-fastest female marathoner in UK history Honolulu represents both a celebratory capstone and an opportunity to build momentum toward an Olympic year that promises even more.

Hauger-Thackery’s 2024 season has been nothing short of remarkable.

She stunned British athletics in February when she clocked a massive personal best of 2:22, a performance that vaulted her to No. 2 on the UK all-time list behind only former world-record holder Paula Radcliffe.

It was the kind of breakthrough that instantly shifted expectations: instead of a solid international-level athlete, Hauger-Thackery suddenly emerged as a world-class contender who could challenge on any major stage.

Her rise has not followed a conventional path.

A standout collegiate runner in the United States, Hauger-Thackery spent several years competing primarily on the track and over cross-country before transitioning fully to the marathon.

The switch proved inspired. Her natural endurance, fluid stride, and capacity to handle high-volume training made the longer distance feel like a homecoming rather than an adjustment.

Over the past two seasons she has steadily chipped away at her times, but 2024 marked the moment everything clicked.

Part of what has made her ascent so compelling is the manner in which she has balanced ambition with patience.

Hauger-Thackery has spoken openly about taking the long view building strength year by year, remaining healthy, and learning the tactical subtleties of elite marathon racing.

Her breakthrough run did not arrive by accident but through a clear, deliberate plan executed with discipline.

Behind the scenes, she has been guided by a coaching team that understands both her physiology and her temperament, allowing her to thrive without overreaching.

That combination will be essential in Honolulu, a marathon unlike any other on the international calendar.

While not known for record-setting times, Honolulu is famous for its warm, early-morning start, challenging climbs including the ascent up Diamond Head and festive atmosphere.

For many elite athletes, the conditions serve as a final test of resilience and race management after a long season.

For Hauger-Thackery, it’s a chance to enjoy a different style of competition: less pressure, more strategic experimentation, and an opportunity to run with freedom.

Still, she is not traveling to Hawaii merely for the scenery.

Honolulu’s elite field traditionally includes strong East African competitors and a handful of seasoned marathon specialists.

Even without the pursuit of a fast time, the race demands tactical intelligence, controlled pacing, and the humility to respect the heat.

For Hauger-Thackery, who thrives on steady rhythm and late-race strength, it’s an opportunity to focus on execution rather than chasing the clock.

This year’s event also offers a symbolic full-circle moment.

Honolulu has long attracted athletes coming off career-defining seasons, and Hauger-Thackery now arrives as one of Britain’s brightest distance-running stars.

Her presence underscores how far she has ascended within the global marathon community: from promising contender to legitimate headliner.

Beyond the race itself, Honolulu marks the final chapter before a 2025 season that could be the most important of her career.

With championship opportunities ahead including Olympic qualification pressure Hauger-Thackery is positioning herself to make a realistic run at representing Team GB on the biggest stage.

Britain’s women’s marathon depth has grown sharply in recent years, but Hauger-Thackery’s breakthrough has placed her firmly in the center of the conversation.

Her trajectory has also energized British fans hungry for the emergence of another world-class marathoner following the era of Radcliffe.

While Hauger-Thackery is not one to dwell on labels, the reality is that becoming the second-fastest Briton of all time brings expectations.

Yet she has embraced that challenge with calm pragmatism, emphasizing consistency and incremental progress rather than chasing comparisons or external pressure.

Honolulu, then, will be a race run on her own terms an opportunity to test fitness, refine strategies, and enjoy the rare experience of racing in a tropical setting at the end of a grueling competitive calendar.

For an athlete who has spent the year surprising others, the event offers the space to simply run, compete, and appreciate how far she has come.

As the sun rises over Waikiki and thousands of runners barrel toward the oceanfront course, Hauger-Thackery will step forward as a different athlete than she was twelve months ago: faster, more confident, and increasingly recognized as one of Britain’s leading marathon talents.

Whatever happens on race day, her appearance in Honolulu confirms what her breakout season has already made clear Calli Hauger-Thackery has arrived, and her story is only just beginning.