Cambridge-raised Julia Paternain shocked after winning bronze medal in women’s marathon at World Athletics Championships in Tokyo

The disbelief etched across Julia Paternain’s face upon learning that she had won a bronze medal will remain one of the most iconic moments of this year’s World Athletics Championships.

Crossing the line at the end of a gruelling women’s marathon in Tokyo on Sunday, Paternain was under the impression that she had finished slightly further down the field in fifth or sixth place. That, in itself, would have far exceeded the Cambridge-raised athlete’s expectations. After all, this was only the second time that she had competed over the 26.2-mile distance.

So when the 25-year-old, pictured, was informed by a trackside official that she was in fact in the top three – winning a first ever Championship medal for her Uruguay in the process – that was way beyond even her most wildest of dreams.

“I was in shock. This is my second marathon and I was just trying to get from A to B and get to the finish line without my legs giving way,” said Paternain, whose father is a professor of mathematics at Cambridge University.

“At halfway I realised I was in the top 12, maybe, and from then I was kind of picking people off. Usually in races you have people yelling at you that you are in this position, but everything was in Japanese so I had no idea where I was.

“When I came into the track I couldn’t see a soul, so I was like, ‘I have no clue where I am’. I knew I was somewhere in the top – I was assuming six or five. I didn’t know exactly where. I didn't really want to think there was a medal, just in case there wasn't.

“I was terrified that that wasn’t the finish and that someone was going to be behind me, and I was going to stop and I had another lap to go. I’m a little bit clueless when I run so I wanted to make sure. I was trying to check with the officials that was definitely the finish.”

And her success had still not sunk in a few hours later when Paternain wrote on Instagram: “What just happened?! Honestly, I’m still struggling to put together words to describe how I feel after yesterday. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be saying I am a bronze medallist at the World Championships.”

Born in Mexico to Uruguayan parents, Paternain arrived in Cambridge aged two.

As a student at Hills Road Sixth Form College, she first joined Cambridge & Coleridge Athletic Club in early 2014.

Back then, running was not something that came naturally to Paternain, but she possessed a determination and a willingness to learn that made her the ideal pupil for club head coach Mark Vile.

It was Vile that used those traits to help mould Paternain into a double English Schools 3,000m champion, as well as a GB athlete at Under-23 level. And so while Paternain, who switched her allegiance to her native Uruguay after moving to the USA, was left flabbergasted by her achievement, Vile’s reaction was more measured.

He said: “When Julia joined the club 11 years ago, she was not a natural runner but she enjoyed it and what she’s always had is a strong mentality and a willingness to work hard.

“That’s why she was able to become a two-time English Schools champion and compete for Great Britain at Under-23s.

“The only surprise is her age. She’s 25 and had she still been in the UK, she probably wouldn’t have been competing in the marathon until 28 or 29.

“But I wasn’t surprised by the result. You only have to look at what she did in the English Schools. Yes that’s only two miles, but that’s the furthest distance you can compete at when you’re that age and she showed her capability for long distances there. Obviously the marathon is much, much longer, but she’s always had that work ethic that made me believe she can be successful.

“She’s got a brilliant coaching team and it’s such a big achievement, both for Julia and Uruguay.”

Vile also believes that Paternain’s success on the global stage will be the source of great inspiration for the young athletes currently working their way through the ranks at the club’s two leading training bases at Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, and Carver Barracks in Saffron Walden.

“We’re extremely proud of Julia,” added Vile. “We set her on her way and she still counts us as her British club. If she ever came back to the UK she’d be with us.

“We’ve got a big group of talented youngsters that work with a brilliant coach in Ric Park.

“He does a more than good enough job on his own, but I know he’s always mentioning the likes of Julia, Tom Keen and Tom Bridger as sources of inspiration.

“Julia has now taken that to a whole new level with what she’s gone on to achieve and everyone at the club will be looking up to her.

“It’s really good for the club. She mentioned us a lot in her post-race interview and she didn’t have to do that. We’re very grateful for that and I’m looking forward to watching on as she progresses because I’m certain this is just the start.”