Romell Glave leads brilliant British 100m one-two on Day 2 of Birmingham 2026
by 12th August 2026
Romell Glave cemented Britain as Europe’s top sprinting nation with 100m gold on Day 2 of Birmingham 2026.
In the first-ever men’s continental 100m final on British soil, Glave and Jeremiah Azu recorded a brilliant one-two to the delight of the home fans at the Alexander Stadium.
Glave (Croydon Harriers, Michael Afilaka) came into the final in fine form and soared to his maiden European title in a time of 10.09s with Azu (Cardiff Athletics, Helen James) crossing for silver in 10.16s to upgrade his bronze from 2022.
It came just 24 hours after Amy Hunt’s women’s 100m gold from the opening night. “Upgrading from a bronze medal from 2024 is an amazing feeling,” Glave told BBC Sport.
“We got one-two, which is also amazing. I was ready for this occasion. The last week or so has been up and down with my body, but I was able to come out here regardless of how I was feeling.”
Azu added: “Usually I’m quite consistent but this year has been more up and down. When it comes to championships, I know I find my best and I showed that again.”
Hannah Nuttall (Charnwood AC, Helen Clitheroe) took fifth place in the women’s 5000m final in a time of 15:41.27, holding on to the leading pack until the final 100m when eventual winner Nadia Battocletti of Italy kicked on.
India Weir (Thames Valley Harriers, Andrew Hobdell) finished 16th in 15:55.42 as Innes FitzGerald (Exeter, Gavin Pavey) placed 19th in 16:00.07.
Marcia Sey (Blackheath & Bromley, Lorna Boothe) finished eighth in her maiden European final in the women’s 100m hurdles. The Brit started off strongly but clipped a hurdle to fall back and crossed the line in a time of 13.01s.
Touching on her debut experience, she said; “I just joined the pro circuit and I am having a great time. It's just learning every single race, every single day.
“Last year I missed on making the world team by a few milliseconds. To be here, I know my worth being here and I'm meant to be here. Just being around the rest of the team, it's just so inspiring every day at breakfast, lunch, just talking to them. It's such a great experience.”
Emma Nwofor (Thames Valley Harriers, Linford Christie) was sat with her family when she received the call that she would return to the track for the semifinals, just hours before the starting gun went.
Having initially missed out on progressing, Nwofor stepped up once more following withdrawals in the event and finished 17th overall in a time of 13.16s.
Archie Yeo (Thames Valley Harriers, Matt Barton) closed out his time in Birmingham with 7.48m for 12th place in the men’s long jump, while Jake Norris (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow AC, Nick Ridgeon) finished in the same position in the men’s hammer throw with a best of 74.61m.
The men’s 400m semifinals saw home hero Matthew Hudson-Smith (Birchfield Harriers, Gary Evans) get his European campaign underway in front of the Alexander Stadium stand that was recently named after him.
“It was fun. We had fun. I misjudged it a little bit. I thought I was clear. I was looking at the screen, and I saw the guy try and surge, but he ran a PB so he's messed up with the final ahead. I kind of did the job. I felt the noise of the fans the whole way round.”
Hudson-Smith crossed for second in his heat in a time of 44.78s to reach the final. Charlie Dobson (Colchester Harriers AC, Leon Baptiste) and Ben Jefferies (Bristol and West AC) did not progress.
Gemma Tutton (Lewes AC, Eric Duffy/Scott Simpson) missed out on qualifying for the women’s pole vault final with a best clearance of 4.25m.