Natasha Cockram (born 12 November 1992) is a Welsh marathon runner.

Natasha Cockram
Personal information
NationalityWelsh
Born (1992-11-12) 12 November 1992 (age 32)
Alma materUniversity of Tulsa
Sport
SportMarathon running

Early life

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Cockram is from Cwmbran, Wales.[1][2]

She attended Croesyceiliog Comprehensive before deciding to attend the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, United States from 2012 to 2015, competing in cross country.[3] She was accepted into the medical school at the University of South Carolina, but declined the place to focus on running.[2]

Running

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In 2018, Cockram came first in the women's category of the inaugural 2018 Newport Marathon with a time of 02:44:58.[4]

In 2019, Cockram finished fifth in the Dublin Marathon, setting a new Welsh women's record with a time of 02:30:50.[5] The previous record was held by Susan Tooby with a time of 02:31:33 at the 1988 Summer Olympics.[5] This was despite a horse kicking her on the eve of the race.[6]

Cockram finished 13th in the 2020 London Marathon, with a time of 02:33:19, 3 minutes and 49 seconds outside of the qualifying time for the Olympic Games. She was the top finishing Briton at the race.[7] She came second at the 2020 Olympics marathon trial, slower than the Olympic qualifying time.[8] In June 2021, UK Athletics published its list of athletes for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics, and Cockram was not selected.[9]

In 2021, Cockram won the Norwich Half Marathon, with a time of 01:16:31.[10] She won the Los Angeles Marathon on 7 November 2021, with a time of 02:33:17.[11]

In December 2022 Cockram ran 2:26:14 at the Valencia Marathon, placing her eleventh on the all-time British list.[12]

Personal life

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In 2020, Cockram moved to Norfolk, England.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Natasha Cockram - Track and Field". University of Tulsa Athletics.
  2. ^ a b Lemire, Joe (26 January 2021). "Long-Distance Runner Natasha Cockram: 'I Often Think of the Marathon as Just a Six-Mile Race'". SportTechie. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  3. ^ Henderson, Jason (25 March 2021). "Natasha Cockram has Tokyo in her sights". Athletics Weekly. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Newport's first marathon is an 'overwhelming success'". South Wales Argus. Newsquest. 29 April 2018. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Natasha Cockram sets new Welsh women's marathon record". BBC Sport. 28 October 2019. Archived from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Natasha Cockram: Welsh runner breaks national record despite horse kick". BBC Sport. 29 October 2019. Archived from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Natasha Cockram: New British marathon champion targets Tokyo Olympics". BBC Sport. 5 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  8. ^ "GB Marathon Trials: Chris Thompson and Stephanie Davis take Tokyo Olympics spots". BBC Sport. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  9. ^ "A FURTHER 65 ATHLETES NOMINATED TO REPRESENT TEAM GB AT THE 2020 TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES". UK Athletics. 29 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  10. ^ Armstrong, Mark (13 June 2021). "Norwich Half: Cockram targeting marathon after Norwich Half victory". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  11. ^ Los Angeles Marathon [@lamarathon] (7 November 2021). "Natasha Cockram (UK/Wales) is the 2021 women's Los Angeles Marathon champion in 2:33:17! Congrats Natasha on an amazing race!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Stunning marathon times from Kiptum and Beriso in Valencia". Athletics Weekly.
  13. ^ Chapman, Thomas (5 October 2020). "Runner from Norfolk wins British women's title at London Marathon". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
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