Teacher of Mathematics becomes World Champion!

On Saturday in the early hours of the morning, battling the heat of New Delhi, India, athletes from around the world took part in the 2026 IAU 50k World Championships. The world championships were originally scheduled for 7 December, 2025, but were postponed due to poor air quality just two weeks before the event. Three months later, runners gathered at 4am local time to take on 10 laps of a five-kilometre L-shaped loop through the roads of capital.

St Paul’s School’s very own Mr Alex Milne, Teacher of Mathematics was there and part of the Team GB & NI squad of men and women. Mr Milne, has had an incredible year in the sport, achieving 2:14:03 and 19th place at London Marathon in 2025, a new course record at the Loch Ness Marathon in the Autumn, followed by a remarkable 2:11:44 in Seville this February, which set a new club record for his team; Hercules Wimbledon.

Alex (pictured centre) led home an outstanding men’s race, against the best of the best from Japan, USA, Poland, India and the rest of the world, becoming World Champion and setting a new European record* of 2:46:09 in the process. Considering the warm and humid conditions, this is truly inspiring and a gold medal we are all very proud of! He told us:

“After a 2:11 marathon PB in Seville four weeks earlier, I arrived confident my fitness was in place, so the focus was on staying healthy ahead of the 50km. Conditions in Delhi were challenging, with warm temperatures and air pollution in the unhealthy range, plus a 4am start after almost no sleep due to jetlag. The race was ten 5km laps, which allowed us to use cooling strategies like ice vests and ice bandanas. I started conservatively, running in a small group while keeping my effort controlled, as an early leader from Canada surged ahead. Feeling strong through halfway, I pushed at 30km to take the lead, and once in front, I gradually extended the gap. Though pressure remained with teammates close behind and the European record in sight, the final 10km were tough, with heavy legs and even darker conditions as streetlights went out before sunrise, but I held on, leading home an incredible British 1-2-3-4-5-6 and securing the team victory.”

In true Mr Milne style, it’s time for some maths!

Mr Milne completes a 50 km ultramarathon in 2 hours, 46 minutes, and 9 seconds.

1. What is his average pace per kilometre?
   a. 3:29/km
   b. 3:24/km
   c. 3:19/km
2. What would his average speed in miles per hour be?
   a. 8.55 mph
   b. 11.22 mph
   c. 10.05 mph

Ans: ( c ) – 3:19/km
Ans: ( b ) – 11.22 mph

*Subject to ratification.