Marathon runner Poppea makes history at the 100th Deaflympics

Friday 12th December 2025

By Eilidh Miller

Belllahouston Road Runners athlete Poppea Bowie produced a fantastic performance at the 100th Deaflympics in Tokyo, becoming the first Scottish marathoner to represent Great Britain at the Games.

Poppea delivered an excellent run on the international stage, finishing fifth in 3:06 and setting a new GB Deaflympics marathon record.

Her journey to Tokyo has been anything but conventional. Currently based in Australia on a work visa, Bowie only began training seriously in 2023 after joining Bellahouston Road Runners. Preparing without a coach, she committed to a self-led programme that saw her take an impressive 30 minutes off her marathon time in the space of just one year.

Poppea also took on additional responsibilities while in Tokyo, attending technical meetings herself and offering support to the other GB track and field athlete competing at the Deaflympics. Despite the busy schedule, she embraced the experience fully and showcased resilience and dedication.

Reflecting on the Games, Poppea described the Deaflympics as an inspiring and memorable opportunity, and she praised the work of UK Deaf Sport in championing deaf athletes and raising the profile of the event. She is hopeful that the momentum will continue to build ahead of the next Deaflympics in Athens in 2029.

All at scottishathletics send our congratulations to Poppea on this achievement and celebrates the significance of her performance for Scottish endurance running and the wider deaf sporting community. Her success is a testament to her determination, ambition, and resilience.