British distance runner Innes FitzGerald has had a huge breakthrough year, winning 3000m and 5000m gold at the Tampere 2025 European Athletics U20 Championships and setting new European U20 records in the 3000m indoors and 5000m.
She represented Great Britain at her first World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in the 5000m and gives the inside story as part of her regular exclusive European Athletics column.
Courageous Battocletti
Watching Nadia Battocletti win silver in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5000m in Tokyo was honestly so inspiring. People always say the Africans are on a different level, and in many ways that’s true, but she showed that Europeans can still be competitive with them.
What stood out to me was her courage and belief — she just committed to staying with them when so many athletes would have dropped off, mentally if not physically.
It reminded me of watching Eilish McColgan at the 2022 Commonwealth Games: if you’re still there at the end, it’s anyone’s race.
That’s what we all strive for, to be in the mix at the end with the Africans, because then you’ve got a real chance. Seeing Battocletti do it just proves it’s possible, and that’s really motivating for me.
"I felt deflated"
Coming off the track after my 5000m heat, I’ll be honest — I felt deflated. I’d hoped I could make the final, and I knew it would be tough, but I believed it was within me. So, at first, I was disappointed.
But after a little time passed, I reminded myself that I’d had such a crazy season already. Just being there was incredible. Of course, I always set high standards, so not reaching them stings, but looking back now,
I’m grateful I was on that start line, healthy and learning so much. That experience will only fuel me to come back stronger.
Lining up next to Faith Kipyegon was surreal. She’s someone I’ve watched on TV, thinking “wow, she’s unbelievable.” Then suddenly I was right there beside her, questioning whether I belonged.
But really, that’s what makes it so special. I might not be at their level yet, but racing women with such amazing careers is inspirational. As one of the younger athletes, I don’t just see them as competition — I see them as role models to learn from.
Exploring Japan
I didn’t watch much live in the stadium beyond my own race, though I followed everything on the livestream and on socials. When I was in the stadium, the atmosphere was just incredible — so many world-class athletes competing at once really lifted the energy.
Outside the track, I explored a bit, though the language barrier was intimidating. Using the train system was harder than I expected, nothing like Europe where you can half-guess the words. That challenge made it all the more exciting though — being in a place so different to the UK felt refreshing.
Most of my time was with my coach, Gavin Pavey, and also with the other British 5000m girls, Hannah Nuttall and Melissa Courtney-Bryant. We’d trained at the holding camp together, so it was nice to get to know them better.
At first, being so much younger, I felt slightly out of place because a lot of the athletes already knew each other, but everyone was so welcoming.
I also tried proper Japanese food, which was incredible. It’s one thing having it in the UK, but in Japan it’s just another level — really delicious.
Returing to student life
After Tokyo, I went back to Exeter to move into my house for second year at University, said a quick hello, then headed home for a few days to spend time with family and just relax.
It was nice to do normal things again — go for walks, help out at home, just enjoy not running for a little bit before training starts again.
This year I’ll be living with some close friends. One plays cricket for English county team Somerset, but the others aren’t particularly sporty — though they’re incredibly supportive.
They even came to watch me race the 1500m in Exeter earlier this year, which meant a lot. I’m looking forward to settling in properly, getting back to studying, and balancing student life with training.
"Surreal" season
Reflecting on my season as a whole, it’s been unbelievable. From winning the 3000m and 5000m at the European U20s in Tampere, to breaking European U20 records, and then making my senior World Championships debut — it feels like I’ve been going 200 miles an hour since January.
At the start of the year, I wouldn’t have believed it possible. I remember joking with my training partner Jake Smith about the qualifying time for Worlds — we both thought it was out of reach.
To have actually done it is surreal. I don’t know if there’ll ever be a year quite like this one, but it’s given me huge motivation.
Ready for cross country training and crunchy grass
Next up is the cross country season. I couldn’t imagine a winter without cross country. It feels like my reputation almost comes from cross country, so I’ve got to keep it up.
I love the change from the track — there’s less pressure, times don’t matter, it’s just about racing hard in whatever conditions you face.
I always find the strength it builds makes such a difference when track season comes around. And while we joke all summer about dreading grass sessions, when winter arrives, I actually enjoy them — especially those frosty early mornings when the grass crunches under your feet.
Cross country was probably my first love, though I do prefer the track now.
The stadium crowds create an atmosphere that’s hard to beat. The only one that comes close is the European Cross Country Championships, where the courses are designed to keep the crowds all around you.
That’s when it feels big and exciting. In contrast, some domestic races can feel a bit lonely, just you and a field. But I still love it, and I’m really looking forward to testing myself again this winter.