North Devon’s McKibbin shines as GB impress at Virtus World Championships

James McKibbin delivered a standout performance on the international stage as Great Britain produced an impressive showing at the 2026 Virtus World Half Marathon and 10K Championships in the Azores.

Representing Sport Excel UK, McKibbin—who hails from North Devon and competes for North Devon AC—lined up in a strong British trio alongside Sam Fernando and Steven Bryce in Sunday’s Men’s 10K event.

Prior to the event, McKibbin talked about the challenge ahead: “I’m ready and looking forward to it,” he said. “My prep has gone well over the Winter. I’m very pleased to represent The GB Team for the third time at Virtus, which is an amazing achievement. I’m looking forward to travelling somewhere new and meeting my team mates again.”

In warm and testing conditions in Ponta Delgada, the British athletes made an immediate impact. By the halfway stage, McKibbin was firmly among the front-runners, helping Great Britain dominate the leading pack against top competitors from across Europe.

As the race intensified, McKibbin remained in contention for a podium finish, battling stride-for-stride with the leaders in a tightly contested finale. He ultimately crossed the line in fourth place—just outside the medals—but secured one of the most impressive performances of his international career.

Fernando went on to claim silver in 32:59, finishing just eight seconds behind Spain’s Ibal Magdaleno Palacio, while Bryce, who had also featured prominently early on, was forced to withdraw after 8km due to the challenging heat.

Despite missing out on a team result, which required three finishers, Great Britain’s performances underlined their growing strength on the international stage.

Speaking after the race, Tracey McCillen praised the squad, highlighting McKibbin’s contribution: “James delivered a strong and competitive performance in a high-quality field, showing great determination throughout.”

Team Manager Steve Doig also commended the North Devon athlete, noting his consistency in major competitions over recent years.

For McKibbin, the result marks another significant step forward, reinforcing his status as one of North Devon’s leading endurance athletes and a key figure in Great Britain’s Virtus programme.

The team now turns its attention to the Virtus European Summer Games in July, where McKibbin is expected to play a central role once again.