Leeds Beckett helps to prepare athletes for Olympic marathon

Phil Sesemann, Emile Cairess and Calli Hauger-Thackery use the world-class facilities and expertise at CSS including the environmental heat chambers. They have also had access to Leeds Beckett's coaching and sports science expertise across nutrition, strength and conditioning and sports psychology as part of Leeds Talent Hub.

The Talent Hub provides an elite training environment for its athletes, with support from coaches and access to the university's facilities including the athletics track and the £45m Carnegie School of Sport building. Funding for the Talent Hub comes from England Athletics, the UK Athletics World Class Programme, the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and Beckett Sport.

Phil Sesemann was officially selected for Team GB in February and has been coached long-term by Beckett Sport Head of Athletics Andy Henderson, as well as receiving physio support from James Wilkinson.

Emile Cairess is part of the Leeds Talent Hub - a partnership between Leeds Beckett University, England Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Talent Athlete Scholarship Scheme. He finished third at the 2024 London Marathon in a brilliant time of 2:06:46, making him the second-fastest British marathoner ever and an Olympic marathon qualifier for the 2024 Games in Paris. He has been supported through the Leeds Talent Hub for road and track sessions by both Andy Henderson and Leeds Talent Hub Manager Andi Drake.

Calli Hauger-Thackery impressively secured her place in Team GB at the McKirdy Micro Marathon in New York on her marathon debut. Calli, along with Phil and Emile, has been using the state-of-the-art facilities at Carnegie School of Sport (CSS) to prepare for the gruelling race this weekend supported by Andy Henderson, Andi Drake, Dane Mitchell, James Wilkinson and Dan Snape.

Andi Drake, Leeds Talent Hub Manager, said: "Everyone at Leeds Talent Hub is excited to see how Phil and Emile go on Saturday and Calli on Sunday. It's unprecedented to have three Olympic Marathon runners from the same programme/location. We've been working with them and their coaches (Andy Henderson, Renato Canova, Matt Hauger) to provide the professional coaching environment supporting their preparation. In particular preparing for the environmental conditions via Carnegie School of Sport Physiologist Dr Dan Snape, coming their way on Sunday - warm!

"I'm proud of the athletes and our ace team of coaches and practitioners who have got them to the start line race ready."

The marathon competition will commence at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday 10th August:

Saturday 10th August:

Emile Cairess Marathon - 07:00 BST

Phil Sesemann Marathon - 07:00 BST

Sunday 11th August:

Calli Hauger-Thackery Marathon - 07:00 BST

Find out more about how Leeds Beckett's world class staff. Facilities and students have prepared athletes for Paris.