Nadia Battocletti won the sixth European gold medal of her brilliant career as she stormed to victory in the women’s 5000m final at Birmingham 2026 on Tuesday (11).
In a tactical race, the Italian took off with 250m to go to take gold in 15:37.84.
Spain's Marta Garcia improved by one place on her result two years ago at Roma 2024, taking silver in 15:39.98. Battocletti's Italian teammate Micol Majori was a surprise bronze medallist in 15:40.65.
In summary
- Battocletti takes her sixth European title on the track, road or cross country
- Garcia wins a second successive 5000m medal at the European Athletics Championships
- Majori wins surprise bronze in sprint finish
Nadia Battocletti reaffirmed her position at the pinnacle of European women’s distance running with another demonstration of her dominance in the 5000m final at Birmingham 2026.
Since her major championships breakthrough in the Italian capital two years ago, she has also twice won gold at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships and won the 10km title at the European Running Championships.
The Italian also stayed on track for her second consecutive European Athletics Championships distance double after winning both the 5000m and 10,000m at Roma 2024.
The women’s 10,000m final takes place on Friday (15).
It was the slowest women’s 5000m winning time in European Athletics Championships history, but that will not concern Battocletti.
This latest victory represented her 10th major medal since 2024, having also won Olympic and world 10,000m silver, world indoor 3000m gold and world 5000m bronze in an incredible run of success for the 26-year-old.
Majori takes surprise bronze
The opening laps at the Alexander Stadium were led by Kosovo’s Gresa Bakraçi, who seized her moment in the spotlight, leading through the opening 2km in a modest 6:38.1.
European leader Maureen Koster of the Netherlands moved up to second as a tightly packed field of 23 moved past halfway. Just after 3km, Battocletti injected some much-needed pace before easing up again.
Garcia was also prominent, as was her Spanish teammate Maria Forero, Ireland’s European indoor 3000m champion Sarah Healy, British champion Hannah Nuttall and Italy’s Micol Majori.
With three laps to go, Koster took up the running, tracked by Battocletti, Healy, Nuttall, Garcia and Majori. The six athletes still led going into the final lap, with Garcia and Healy starting to push the pace.
But with 250m to go, Battocletti made her move and the rest had no answer.
Garcia desperately tried to hang on and, although she made no inroads on the Italian, tightened her grip on silver.
It left a battle for bronze on the home straight as Koster began to pay the price. It was Majori who emerged to spring a surprise, edging past Healy (15:40.95) and Nuttall (15:41.27). Koster had to be content with sixth in 15:41.51.
What they said...
Nadia Battocletti: "I am super happy and grateful for my performance. I felt strong today.
"It was a little crazy, we touched each other a lot during the race, as it was very tactical. I waited a little before going to push for the lead. In fact, I started to push a little bit after the 3k, but the Netherlands' girl (Maureen Koster) did the hard work.
“When we were getting to the last lap, I felt I needed to push harder because anything can change in the last lap - you can lose or win it there - so it was a little tricky. When I was ahead, I was determined not to let go of the lead.
“The double would be a dream for me. Of course, the 10k will be another race. We will be pushing from the first kilometre. It will be different. I am not scared, I am just excited. I really want to win the double.”
Marta Garcia: "It feels amazing to come out with the silver medal. On the last lap, I was thinking, 'Yes, you are in the place where you want to be, just hold on, just make it happen.'
"I love it to have opened the medal count for Spain. I just hope the whole team will win even more. We are growing all together and I hope we can win many more medals this week.
"The fact that I had to battle with injury made me so hungry and angry. As soon as I made it here, it did not matter and I wanted to show my best.
"This is my only event here. I am done now so I can party. Just joking - you will see me at the Silesia Diamond League next week."
Micol Majori: "I have no words to describe this. It's my first international medal at my second European Championships.
"It's a dream to do this at this great stadium. The crowd was amazing. Thank you England, thank you Birmingham.
"It means a lot to be on the podium with Nadia (Battocletti). She is a great inspiration for Italian distance running."