Brothers Callum and Derek Hawkins will run for Britain in the marathon at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio.
The Scottish pair were today named in the men’s team for Brazil along with Tsegai Tewelde, just 48 hours after the official trials at the London Marathon.
As @DelH1989's ticket for Rio is booked w @callhawk & Tsegai Tewelde, here's our #TrioforRio, thx @AthleticsImages! pic.twitter.com/e338XWBmZu
— scottishathletics (@scotathletics) April 26, 2016
The first two home in both the men’s and women’s races were given automatic places provided they had the qualifying time, with additional spots at the discretion of the selectors.
Callum already had the mark of 2:13, and was eighth, the first Briton home, in 2:10:52 with Eritrean-born Tewelde in 12th, inside the Rio time in 2:12:23, with Derek Hawkins 14th in 2:12:57.
Can't believe what a weekend I had @LondonMarathon I smashed my pb and I'm going to the Olympics @altiumi10 @NewBalanceUK @HIGH5Nutrition
— Callum Hawkins (@callhawk) April 26, 2016
It's official I'm going to be an Olympian!!! Thanks again everyone for all the messages of support!
— Derek Hawkins (@DelH1989) April 26, 2016
At 23, Callum is three years younger than Derek and as he said after the race: 'My brother had his own plan. We train together, live in the same house. I am chuffed for him – to be in the top three (and) take a minute off his PB.”
Britain also confirmed the Rio selection of Alyson Dixon (2:31:52) and Sonia Samuels (2:32:00) in their women's team. They were 13th and 14th respectively in the London race and first two in the trials, having already previously run the qualifying time of 2:31:00.
'It feels like a dream come true and hasn’t really sunk in,' said Dixon, 37. 'Going to the Olympics is something I have dreamed of for the past 20 years.'
In announcing the first members of the British track and field team for Rio, Dominic King was named in the 50km walk.