Emile Cairess

Emile Michael John Cairess (born 27 December 1997) is a British long-distance runner. He won the bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 2019 European Under-23 Championships and a silver for the men's race at the 2022 European Cross Country Championships. Cairess is the European record holder for the road 10 miles. He finished fourth in the marathon in the 2024 Summer Olympics, the highest position for a British runner for over 20 years.

Early life Cairess was born in Bradford and grew up in Saltaire. He won a bursary to attend Bradford Grammar School, completing his A Levels in 2016. He then studied at St Mary's University, Twickenham.

Career During the under-23 race at the 2018 European Cross Country Championships, Emile Cairess fell over at half-mile stage but managed to move up 59 places for eighth position and a team silver medal.

In January 2022 at the Valencia Ibercaja, he tied Mo Farah's over 10-year-old British 10 kilometres record with his time of 27:44. The 24-year-old set five other personal bests that year (3000 m, 5000 m, 10,000 m, 5 km, half marathon).

On 4 March 2023, Cairess broke Richard Nerurkar's 30-year European 10-mile record (46:02) with a time of 45:57 at the 'Breaking 10' in Barrowford. Later that year, he finished sixth on debut in the London Marathon in a time of 02:08:07.

On 21 April 2024, Cairess finished third in the London Marathon, qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he finished fourth.

In 2025, Cairess became the British 10,000 metres champion as the highest ranked Briton at the 2025 UK Athletics Championships.

Statistics Cairess at age 14 at the Inter-counties Cross Country (2012).

International competitions

Personal bests 3000 metres – 7:44.74 (Nembro 2022) 3000 metres indoor – 7:59.45 (Manchester 2021) 5000 metres – 13:26.40 (Heusden-Zolder 2022) 10,000 metres – 27:34.08 (London 2022) Road 5 kilometres – 13:38 (Herzogenaurach 2022) 10 kilometres – 27:44 (Valencia 2022) 10 miles – 45:57 (Barrowford 2023) Half marathon – 1:00:01 (Napoli 2024) Marathon – 2:06:46 (London 2024)