Eilish McColgan

{{short description|Scottish runner (born 1990)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}

{{Use British English|date=November 2023}}

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name =

| image = Eilish McColgan (cropped).jpg

| caption = McColgan at the 2016 Rio Olympics

| nationality =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|11|25}}

| birth_place = Dundee, Scotland

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height = 1.74 m{{Cite web|url=https://eilishmccolgan.co.uk/about-me/|title=About Me|date=24 May 2018}}

| weight = 53 kg

| country = Great Britain
Scotland

| sport = Athletics

| event = Middle-, long-distance running
Steeplechase

| club = Dundee Hawkhill Harriers

| coach = Liz McColgan

| retired =

| olympics =

| highestranking =

| pb = {{ubl

|3000 m: 8:31.00 (2017)

|5000 m: 14:28.55 {{AthAbbr|NR|British}} (2021)

|10,000 m: 30:00.86 {{AthAbbr|NR|British}} (2023)

|3000 m SC: 9:35.82 {{AthAbbr|NR|Scottish}}S (2013)

|Road

|5 km: 14:45 {{AthAbbr|NR|British}} (2022)

|10 km: 30:19 {{AthAbbr|AR|European}} (2022)

|15 km: 47:12 {{AthAbbr|NR|Scottish}}S (2022)

|10 miles: 50:43 {{AthAbbr|AB}} (2021)

|20 km: 1:03:06 {{AthAbbr|NR|Scottish}}S (2022)

|Half marathon: 1:05:43 {{AthAbbr|NR|British}} (2023)

}}

| show-medals = no

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCount

| Commonwealths | 1 | 1 | 0

| European Outdoors | 0 | 2 | 1

| European Indoors | 0 | 0 | 1

|Total|1|3|2

}}

{{Medal|Sport|Women's athletics}}

{{Medal|Country|{{GBR2}}}}

{{Medal|Competition|European Championships}}

{{Medal|Silver|2018 Berlin|5000 m}}

{{Medal|Silver|2022 Munich|10,000 m}}

{{Medal|Bronze|2022 Munich|5000 m}}

{{Medal|Competition|European Indoor Championships}}

{{Medal|Bronze|2017 Belgrade|3000 m}}

{{Medal|Competition|European 10,000m Cup}}

{{Medal|Gold|2021 Birmingham|10,000 m}}

{{Medal|Bronze|2019 London|10,000 m}}

{{Medal|Country|{{SCO}} }}

{{Medal|Competition|Commonwealth Games}}

{{Medal|Gold|2022 Birmingham|10,000 m}}

{{Medal|Silver|2022 Birmingham|5000 m}}

}}

Eilish McColgan (born 25 November 1990){{cite web |title=Eilish McColgan profile |url=http://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=6313 |publisher=UK Athletics |access-date=25 June 2012}}{{cite web|title=Eilish MCCOLGAN – Athlete profile|url=https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/great-britain-ni/eilish-mccolgan-14275729|access-date=1 January 2021|website=World Athletics}} is a Scottish middle- and long-distance runner. She is the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres champion with the Games record, and 5000 metres silver medallist. McColgan is a four-time European Championships medallist, winning silver medals for the 5000 m in 2018 and 10,000 m in 2022, bronze in the 5000 m in 2022, and a bronze for the indoor 3000 metres in 2017. She is the European record holder for the 10 km road race, and the British record holder for the 5000 m, 10,000 m, 5 km and half marathon. She also holds the European best in the 10 miles on the roads.

McColgan represented Great Britain at the 2012 London, 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo, and 2024 Paris Olympics. She represented Scotland at Commonwealth Games in 2014 in Glasgow, in 2018 in Gold Coast in addition to the 2022 Games in Birmingham. She is the Scottish record holder in the event she originally specialised in, the 3000 metres steeplechase, from 2013 before injury forced her to move away from steeplechase. She holds the Scottish record in 10,000 metres. McColgan is a seven-time national champion.

Early and personal life

Eilish McColgan was born in Dundee, Scotland to Liz and Peter McColgan, both athletes.{{cite web |title=Eilish McColgan: Team GB |url=http://www.teamgb.com/athletes/eilish-mccolgan |publisher=British Olympic Association |access-date=13 July 2012}} She is a member of Dundee's Hawkhill Harriers Club and is coached by her mother, former 10,000 metres World Champion and Olympic silver medallist Elizabeth Nuttall known more commonly during her racing career as Liz McColgan.{{cite news |last=Ralston |first=Gary |title=Liz McColgan 'proud' after daughter Eilish books her spot in Team GB for London Olympics |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/athletics-news/2012/06/24/liz-mccolgan-proud-after-daughter-eilish-books-her-spot-in-team-gb-for-london-olympics-86908-23900444 |access-date=13 July 2012 |newspaper=The Daily Record |date=24 June 2012}}{{cite news |last=Fulton |first=Rick |title=Track legend Liz McColgan's daughter aims to follow in mother's footsteps with OIympic glory |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/athletics-news/2011/10/13/track-legend-liz-mccolgan-s-daughter-aims-to-follow-in-mother-s-footsteps-with-oiympic-glory-86908-23485693/ |access-date=13 July 2012 |newspaper=The Daily Record |date=13 October 2011}}

She attended the High School of Dundee and studied mathematics and accountancy at the University of Dundee, graduating in 2013.{{Cite web |last=McColgan |first=Eilish |date=2021 |title=Eilish McColgan: About Me |url=http://eilishmccolgan.blogspot.com/p/personal-bests-records-rankings.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 July 2021 |website=Eilish McColgan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404201647/http://eilishmccolgan.blogspot.com:80/p/personal-bests-records-rankings.html |archive-date=4 April 2019 }}{{cite news |url=http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/magazine/188264-eilish-mccolgan-life-after-the-olympics-and-the-great-scottish-run |title=Eilish McColgan – Life after the Olympics and the Great Scottish Run |author=Graham Fraser |date=2 September 2012 |publisher=STV |access-date=3 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904121809/http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/magazine/188264-eilish-mccolgan-life-after-the-olympics-and-the-great-scottish-run/ |archive-date=4 September 2012 |df=dmy-all}}

Following her mother's second marriage, McColgan is step-daughter of long-distance runner John Nuttall and step-sister of his son, para-athlete Luke Nuttall.{{cite news|title=Athletics star Liz McColgan reveals her new-found happiness as she marries for the second time|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/athletics-star-liz-mccolgan-reveals-3037925|access-date=17 July 2022|newspaper=Scottish Daily Record|date=19 January 2014}}{{Cite web|date=27 August 2021|title=Luke Nuttall - IPC Athlete Bio|url=http://ipc.infostradasports.com/asp/lib/TheASP.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=513&personid=1640146&WinterGames=-1|archive-date=27 August 2021|website=ipc.infostradasports.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827184800/http://ipc.infostradasports.com/asp/lib/TheASP.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=513&personid=1640146&WinterGames=-1|url-status=dead}} Her partner is former international middle-distance runner for Great Britain and England Michael Rimmer.{{cite web|url=https://athleticsweekly.com/interviews/eilish-mccolgans-winning-team-1039963604/|title=Eilish McColgan’s winning team|website=Athletics Weekly|last=Crumley|first=Euan|date=29 December 2022|access-date=3 February 2025}}

In 2019, her home in East Didsbury was the target of a burglary while she was away on training.{{cite web |last=Britton |first=Paul |title=Burglars 'completely ransack' Didsbury home of Olympic athlete and steal priceless medals |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/olympian-eilish-mccolgan-burglary-didsbury-16351394 |website=ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk |date=30 May 2019 |publisher=Manchester Evening News |access-date=22 September 2023}} McColgan reported the house was "completely ransacked", with numerous priceless materials stolen in the burglary, with McColgan also criticizing the police response to her report.{{cite web |last=Britton |first=Paul |title=Burglars 'completely ransack' Didsbury home of Olympic athlete and steal priceless medals |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/olympian-eilish-mccolgan-burglary-didsbury-16351394 |website=ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk |date=30 May 2019 |publisher=Manchester Evening News |access-date=22 September 2023}}

In 2025, McColgan announced her engagement with her partner Michael Rimmer following her London Marathon debut.

Career

=2006-2019=

In 2006, she won a silver medal at the Scottish Schools Championships in the 1500 metres and a bronze medal at the International Under-17s Schools Championships.{{cite web |title=Athlete profile: Eilish McColgan |url=http://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=6313 |publisher=United Kingdom Athletics |access-date=13 July 2012}} In 2007, she came fifth in the Scottish Senior Championships 1500 metres. At the 2008 Scottish Indoor Championships she won a bronze medal in the 1500 m.

McColgan was selected for the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in India but suffered a major knee injury which took her a year-and-a-half to recover from. In 2011, she came fourth in the 1500 metres at the 2011 UK Indoor Championships. She won the gold medal in the 1500 m at the 2011 Scottish University Championships. Her senior debut for Great Britain came at the 2011 European Team Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. Initially selected as a travelling reserve to cover a range of events, she was called upon to compete in the 3000 metres steeplechase, an event which she had only competed in twice before, and ran a personal best of 9:55.13 while finishing ninth.{{cite web |title=McColgan Makes Senior GB Debut |url=http://www.cgcs.org.uk/news-and-media/latest-news/2011/mccolgan-makes-senior-gb-debut |access-date=13 July 2012 |date=26 June 2011 |publisher=Commonwealth Games Scotland}}{{cite news |last=Woods |first=Mark |title=European Team Championships: Personal best for debut Scot Eilish McColgan |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/athletics-news/2011/06/19/european-team-championships-personal-best-for-debut-scot-eilish-mccolgan-86908-23212297 |access-date=13 July 2012 |newspaper=The Sunday Mail |date=19 June 2011}} She went on to won the silver medal in the 5000 metres at the UK Outdoor Championships. However, McColgan missed the 2011 World Championships, held in Daegu, South Korea, after breaking her foot at the London Diamond League.{{cite news |title=Four Scots in GB World Championships team |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/14462550 |access-date=13 July 2012 |date=9 August 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}

McColgan won two gold medals at the 2012 Scottish Universities Indoor Championships, placing first in both the 1500 and 3000 metres events. In June 2012 at a meeting in Oslo, Norway she ran a time of 9:38.45 to beat the Olympic 'A' qualification standard in the 3000 metres steeplechase.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Ewan |title=Olympic hopeful Eilish McColgan sneaks into Usain Bolt's loo |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/06/16/olympic-hopeful-eilish-mccolgan-sneaks-into-usain-bolt-s-loo-86908-23896696/ |access-date=13 July 2012 |newspaper=The Daily Record |date=16 June 2012}} McColgan confirmed her qualification for the steeplechase at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London by winning the British trials in a time of 9:56.90.{{cite news |title=Eilidh Child & Eilish McColgan qualify for GB Olympic team |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18568828 |access-date=25 June 2012 |date=24 June 2012 |work=BBC Sport}} She was the only athlete to finish in under 10 minutes and the only British athlete to have achieved the 'A' qualifying standard.{{cite web |last=Mulkeen |first=Jon |title=Proctor and Bleasdale break British records at UK Olympic Trials |url=http://www.athleticsweekly.com/news/proctor-and-bleasdale-break-british-records-at-uk-olympic-trials/ |publisher=Athletics Weekly |access-date=13 July 2012 |date=24 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628005015/http://www.athleticsweekly.com/news/proctor-and-bleasdale-break-british-records-at-uk-olympic-trials/ |archive-date=28 June 2012 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |last=O'Mahony |first=Jennifer |title=Olympic trials 2012: day three as it happened |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9350903/Olympic-trials-2012-day-three-as-it-happened.html |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=13 July 2012 |date=24 June 2012}} After achieving Olympic qualification, McColgan chose not to compete at the 2012 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland.{{cite news |title=Mum sets McColgan two-year target |url=http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/sport/other-sports/mum-sets-mccolgan-two-year-target-1-2375511 |access-date=13 July 2012 |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=26 June 2012}} She competed for Great Britain team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the women's 3000 m steeplechase alongside compatriot Barbara Parker.{{cite news |title=London 2012: Dwain Chambers picked for GB athletics squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18685730 |access-date=13 July 2012 |date=3 July 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport}} Her time of 9:54.36 was not sufficient for her to reach the final.{{cite web |url=http://www.london2012.com/athletics/event/women-3km-steeplechase/phase=atw033900/index.html |title=Women's 3000m Steeplechase |publisher=London 2012 official website |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-date=4 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404000403/http://www.london2012.com/athletics/event/women-3km-steeplechase/phase=atw033900/index.html |url-status=dead }}

At the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, McColgan made the final in the 3000 m steeplechase, finishing 10th.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/23718301|title=World Athletics 2013: McColgan frustrated with steeplechase finish|department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=15 August 2013|access-date=2 February 2025}} Having competed in the steeplechase at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and finished sixth, the Dundonian switched from the barriers to the flat following a broken ankle, which prevented her from competing in the 2015 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/34051068|title=Eilish McColgan: Race against time to be fit for Rio 2016 Olympics|department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=25 August 2015|access-date=2 February 2025|last=Crawford|first=Kenny}}

She placed second over 5000 m at the 2016 British Championships, securing her place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she reached the final of the women's 5000 metres.{{cite web|url=https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/results/20160624_birmingham/timetable/index/Data/W/5000_R_f.html|title=5000 METRES - Women - Final|website=British Athletics|access-date=2 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831105224/https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/results/20160624_birmingham/timetable/index/Data/W/5000_R_f.html|archive-date=31 August 2016|url-status=dead}}

In 2017, McColgan won over 3000 m and placed second over 1500 m at the British Indoor Championships, qualifying her for the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade, where she won bronze over 3000 m.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/39173882|title=European Indoor Athletics: Muir wins second gold, Philip takes 60m title|department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=5 March 2017|access-date=2 February 2025}}

She placed tenth over 5000 m at the London World Championships, having set a personal best of 15:00.38 in the heats.{{cite web|url=https://media.aws.iaaf.org/competitiondocuments/pdf/5151/AT-5000-W-f----.RS6.pdf|title=2017 World Championships - 5000 Metres Women - Final|website=World Athletics|date=13 August 2017|access-date=2 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/40898432|title=World Championships 2017: Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan reach 5,000m final|department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=11 August 2017|access-date=2 February 2025}} A few weeks later, McColgan improved that personal best and set a new Scottish record in finishing eighth at the Brussels Diamond League.{{cite web|url=https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/news-and-features/mccolgan-smashes-scottish-record-following-magnificent-5000m-effort/|title=MCCOLGAN SMASHES SCOTTISH RECORD FOLLOWING MAGNIFICENT 5000M EFFORT|website=British Athletics|date=1 September 2017|access-date=2 February 2025}}

File:Eilish McColgan at 2019 World Athletics Championships.jpg in Doha]]

McColgan opened her 2018 season by winning at the Doha 10 km in a personal best of 31:53.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/42662460|title=Eilish McColgan wins 10k with personal best in Doha|department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=12 January 2018|access-date=2 February 2025}} She qualified for the 3000 metres at the 2018 World Indoor Championships where she finished in a tenth. In the 5000 metres event at the 2018 European Championships in Berlin, she won the silver medal.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/other-sports/704979/perthshires-laura-muir-and-dundees-eilish-mccolgan-earn-european-glory/|title=Perthshire’s Laura Muir and Dundee’s Eilish McColgan earn European glory|website=www.thecourier.co.uk|last=Dingwall|first=Blair|date=12 August 2018|access-date=2 February 2025}} In October, she won the Great South Run in Portsmouth, clocking 54:43 in her maiden run at the 10 mile distance.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/45935249 |title=McColgan wins Great South Run on debut |department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=21 October 2018}} Her mother had won the race twice previously, in 1995 and 1997.{{cite web|url=http://www.gbrathletics.com/bc/road.htm|title=British Road Race Championships|website=www.gbrathletics.com}}

In 2019, her training regime included a daily run, cross training and a track session twice a week.{{Cite web |last=Moreton |first=Jacob |date=27 July 2021 |title=Five things you should know about Eilish McColgan ahead of the Olympic Games |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a37114460/eilish-mccolgan/ |access-date=31 July 2021 |website=Runner's World}} On 9 June, she set a new Scottish record of 14:47.94 over 5000 m at the FBK Games.{{cite web|url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-news/eilish-mccolgan-breaks-scottish-5000m-record-weekly-round-up-1039923055/|title=Eilish McColgan breaks Scottish 5000m record – weekly round-up|website=Athletics Weekly|date=10 June 2019|access-date=2 February 2025}} The Scotswoman finished tenth in the 5000 m event at the 2019 World Athletics Championships held in Doha, setting another Scottish record of 14:46.17.{{cite web|url=https://media.aws.iaaf.org/competitiondocuments/pdf/6033/AT-5000-W-f----.RS6.pdf|title=2019 World Championship - 5000 Metres Women - Final|website=World Athletics|date=5 October 2019|access-date=2 February 2025}} On 20 October, she retained her Great South Run title, setting a personal best of 51:38.{{cite web|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/whats-on/great-south-run/great-south-run-2019-winners-eilish-mccolgan-and-marc-scott-win-the-elite-races-1307362|title=Great South Run 2019 winners: Eilish McColgan and Marc Scott win the elite races|website=www.portsmouth.co.uk|date=20 October 2019|access-date=2 February 2025|last=Carter|first=Simon}}

=2021=

On 24 April, McColgan won the 5000 m at the USATF Grand Prix in a time of 14:52.55.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatf.org/news/2021/usatf-grand-prix-marks-stellar-elite-debut-at-new-|title=USATF Grand Prix marks stellar elite debut at new Hayward Field|date=24 April 2021|access-date=2 February 2025|website=www.usatf.org}} She also won over 10,000 m at the European 10,000 m Cup in a time of 31:19.35.{{cite web|url=https://www.european-athletics.com/news/late-drama-seals-european-10-000m-cup-win-for-mc-colgan-|title=Late drama seals European 10,000m Cup win for McColgan|website=European Athletics|date=6 June 2021|access-date=2 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teamgb.com/article/marvellous-mccolgan-surges-to-10-000m-win/6VJHCRKa3NUWHHhR4ciok6|title=Marvellous McColgan surges to 10,000m win|website=TeamGB|date=6 June 2021|access-date=2 February 2025}} On 1 July in Oslo, McColgan set a British 5000 m record with her time of 14:28.55, beating the 17-year mark of Paula Radcliffe.{{Cite web|last=Moreton|first=Jacob|date=2 July 2021|title=Eilish McColgan breaks Paula Radcliffe's British record in women's 5000m|url=https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a36913837/mccolgan-british-record-5000m/|access-date=17 February 2022|website=Runner's World}}

At the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan, she failed to advance to the 5000 m final on 30 July,{{Cite news |title='I've let my family down' - McColgan |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/58028833 |access-date=31 July 2021}} finishing in 10th place of her heat in a time of 15:09.68.{{Cite web |date=31 July 2021 |title=Athletics - McCOLGAN Eilish - Tokyo 2020 Olympics |url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/athletics/athlete-profile-n1477789-mccolgan-eilish.htm |url-status=live |access-date=31 July 2021 |website=Tokyo2020.org |publisher=IOC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002133305/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/athletics/athlete-profile-n1477789-mccolgan-eilish.htm |archive-date=2 October 2021}} A few days later, she also competed in the 10,000 m event, finishing ninth in the final with a time of 31:04.46.

In September, she finished runner-up to Hellen Obiri in the half marathon at the Great North Run in 67:48, and won the 10 km race at the Great Manchester Run in a new personal best of 30:52.{{cite web|url=https://www.womensrunning.co.uk/news/great-north-run-2021-hellen-obiri/|title=Great North Run 2021: Hellen Obiri and Eilish McColgan triumph|website=Women's Running|last=Taylor|first=Holly|date=13 September 2021|access-date=2 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704120344/https://www.womensrunning.co.uk/news/great-north-run-2021-hellen-obiri/|archive-date=4 July 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/58699198|title=Eilish McColgan: Scot wins Great Manchester Run with new PB|department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=26 September 2021|access-date=2 February 2025}}

After a long track season, on 17 October, McColgan won her third consecutive Great South Run title in a time of 50:43, breaking Sonia O'Sullivan's course record and the European best mark for the 10 miles. She took almost half a minute off Radcliffe's UK record, and two seconds off the previous European best held by Israel's Lonah Chemtai Salpeter. Thus, McColgan improved on double win of her mother.{{cite web|last=Henderson|first=Jason|date=17 October 2021|title=Eilish McColgan smashes British 10-mile record at Great South Run|url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/eilish-mccolgan-smashes-british-10-mile-record-at-great-south-run-1039950590/|url-status=live|access-date=20 February 2022|website=Athletics Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017115817/https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/eilish-mccolgan-smashes-british-10-mile-record-at-great-south-run-1039950590/ |archive-date=17 October 2021}}

=2022=

In February, the Dundonian set a new British record in the 5 km road race, clocking 14:48 in Dubai to break the mark of 14:51 set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003. McColgan bettered her mother's unofficial 14:57 from 1991, and was only four seconds short of a European record.{{Cite web|last=Smythe|first=Steve|date=15 February 2022|title=McColgan sets UK 5km record – weekly round-up|url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/mccolgan-sets-uk-5km-record-weekly-round-up-1039953609/|url-status=live|access-date=17 February 2022|website=Athletics Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215103335/https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/mccolgan-sets-uk-5km-record-weekly-round-up-1039953609/ |archive-date=15 February 2022}} Later that month, she beat Radcliffe's 21-year-old British half marathon record by 21 seconds, in a time of 1:06.26, improving her mother's best yet again (1:07:11).{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/60445809|title=McColgan breaks 21-year British record|department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=19 February 2022}}

File:Eilish McColgan - 2022 FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands.jpg in Hengelo]]

In March, McColgan launched a non-profit organisation Giving Back to Track with her partner Michael Rimmer with the aim to encourage young people to get involved in athletics and to fund the next generation of female athletes.{{Cite web |title=Giving Back to Track |url=https://givingbacktotrack.org/ |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=Giving Back to Track |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=8 March 2022 |title='Giving Back To Track' – aiming to encourage youngsters into athletics and to help fund the next generation of female athletes. |url=https://twitter.com/EilishMccolgan/status/1501228999225188353 |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=Twitter}}

In May, she broke Radcliffe's European 10 km record at the Great Manchester Run in a time of 30 minutes 19 seconds, shaving two seconds off the previous marker set by Radcliffe in 2003. McColgan finished second behind only Hellen Obiri who set the course record of 30:15.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Tim |date=22 May 2022 |title=Eilish McColgan sets European and British 10km record |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/eilish-mccolgan-sets-european-and-british-10km-record-1039956814/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=AW}} In June at the FBK Games in Hengelo, she set a new Scottish 10,000 m record of 30:19.02, beating the time set by her mother at the same venue in 1991.{{cite web |date=6 June 2022 |title=Eilish McColgan beats Letesenbet Gidey – and mother Liz's time - as she sets Scottish 10,000m best |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/61710527 |access-date=7 June 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport}}

After experiencing some health problems before the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon in July, McColgan finished 11th in the 5000 metres and 10th over the 10,000 metres.{{cite web|url=https://media.aws.iaaf.org/competitiondocuments/pdf/7137279/AT-5000-W-f----.RS6.pdf|title=2022 World Championships - 5000 Metres Women - Final|website=World Athletics|date=23 July 2022|access-date=2 February 2025}}{{cite web |date=16 July 2022 |title=Letesenbet Gidey Gets Her Gold, Outkicks Hellen Obiri, Sifan Hassan to Win 10,000m at 2022 World Championships |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/07/letesenbet-gidey-gets-her-gold-outkicks-hellen-obiri-sifan-hassan/ |access-date=24 August 2022 |website=LetsRun.com}}

On 3 August, the 31-year-old claimed the first major title of her career as she won the gold medal in the 10,000 metres final at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Her winning time of 30:48:60 was a new Games record, breaking her mother's 32-year mark. Thus, she completed the family hat-trick as her mother won over the same distance at Commonwealth Games Edinburgh 1986 and Auckland 1990.{{cite web |last=Ingle |first=Sean |date=3 August 2022 |title=Eilish McColgan's epic 10,000m triumph lights up Commonwealth Games |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/03/eilish-mccolgans-epic-10000m-triumph-lights-up-commonwealth-games |accessdate=4 August 2022 |work=The Guardian}} McColgan later added silver in the 5000 metres, which marked Scotland's 500th overall medal at the Commonwealth Games.{{Cite web |date=8 August 2022 |title=Golden Day Ten and Team Scotland's 500th Medal of All-Time |url=https://www.teamscotland.scot/golden-day-ten-and-team-scotlands-500th-medal-of-all-time/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=TeamScotland.scot |language=en-GB}}

The Dundonian continued her outstanding season at about a week later securing two additional medals at the 2022 European Championships in Munich. First she won a silver in the 10,000 metres (behind Yasemin Can), and added bronze for the 5000 metres three days later (behind Konstanze Klosterhalfen and Can), becoming the first British distance runner to compete in six championship outdoor finals in the same season.{{Cite web |last=Bozon |first=Jenny |date=16 August 2022 |title=Eilish McColgan takes 10,000m silver at the European Champs |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a40904355/eilish-mccolgan-10000m-silver-european-championships/ |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=Runner's World }}{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Jane |date=20 August 2022 |title=Eilish McColgan: European double 'the best bonus I could ever ask for' |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/62605395 |access-date=2022-08-23}}{{Cite web |last=Smythe |first=Steve |date=15 August 2022 |title=Eilish McColgan makes history with European 10,000m silver |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/eilish-mccolgan-makes-history-with-european-10000m-silver-1039959833/ |access-date=23 August 2022 |website=AW}}

In September, McColgan set a course record and the joint-fourth fastest women's half marathon in British history at The Big Half in London with a time of 67:35. She improved the previous best mark by more than two minutes.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Tim |date=4 September 2022 |title=Sir Mo Farah and Eilish McColgan dominate at Big Half in London |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/sir-mo-farah-and-eilish-mccolgan-dominate-at-big-half-in-london-1039960593/ |access-date=4 September 2022 |website=AW |language=en-GB}}

She had to withdraw from the 2022 London Marathon due to 'rebound hypoglycemia' refuelling problems.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Jason |date=2 September 2022 |title=McColgan delays marathon debut to London 2023 |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/mccolgan-delays-marathon-debut-to-london-2023-1039960553/ |access-date=2 September 2022 |website=AW |language=en-GB}} McColgan improved her own European 10 kilometres record by a second, when winning at the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow in October.{{Cite web |last=Coyle |first=Andy |date=2 September 2022 |title=Eilish McColgan breaks British and European 10k records at Great Scottish Run |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/eilish-mccolgan-breaks-british-and-european-10km-records-at-great-scottish-run |access-date=2 September 2022 |website=STV News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Jason |date=3 September 2022 |title=Eilish McColgan's record-breaking spree continues |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/eilish-mccolgans-record-breaking-spree-continues-1039961433/ |access-date=3 September 2022|website=AW |language=en-GB}} However, the record set in Glasgow was invalidated when it was found that the course was 150 m short.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/19/great-scottish-run-records-chalked-off-after-course-found-to-be-150m-short |title=Great Scottish Run records chalked off after course found to be 150m short |author=PA Media|date=19 October 2022 |work=The Guardian}} In November, she set a new British record in the 15 kilometres with her fourth-place finish in a time of 47:40 at the Zevenheuvelenloop in Netherlands, breaking her mother's official record of 47:43.{{Cite web |last=Smythe |first=Steve |date=21 November 2022 |title=Charles Hicks wins NCAA cross-country gold |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/charles-hicks-wins-ncaa-cross-country-gold-1039962973/ |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=AW |language=en-GB}}

=2023=

On 4 March, after five weeks of altitude training in Colorado, McColgan broke Radcliffe's 21-year British 10,000 m record by 0.23 s with a time of 30:00.86 at the Sound Running The TEN in San Juan Capistrano, California. In Europe only Sifan Hassan had run faster.{{Cite web |last=Gault |first=Jonathan |date=4 March 2023 |title=Eilish McColgan (30:00.87) and Alicia Monson (30:03.82) Break National Records At The TEN |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2023/03/eilish-mccolgan-3000-87-and-alicia-monson-3003-82-break-national-records-at-the-ten/ |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=LetsRun.com }}{{Cite news |date=5 March 2023 |title=McColgan sets new British 10,000m record |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/64853509 |access-date=5 March 2023}} On 2 April, the Scotswoman chopped 43 seconds from her British half marathon record set 14 months earlier, clocking the second-fastest female non-African mark in history of 1:05:43 for a win at the Berlin Half Marathon. She became the first British woman to win the competition.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Jason |date=2 April 2023 |title=Eilish McColgan smashes UK half-marathon record in Berlin |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/eilish-mccolgan-smashes-uk-half-marathon-record-in-berlin-1039966586/ |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=AW}} Later that month, she again missed her debut over the classic marathon distance in London due to a knee injury.{{Cite news |last=Winton |first=Richard |date=21 April 2023 |title=Tearful McColgan out of London Marathon with injury |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/65344437 |access-date=21 April 2023}}

=2024=

McColgan made her comeback from injury on 26 May, as she won the Österreichischer Frauenlauf 5km in Wien with a time of 15:19.{{cite web|url=https://www.runnersworld.de/news-fotos/oesterreichischer-frauenlauf-wien-2024/|title=Schottischer Frauenlauf-Sieg in Wien|trans-title=Scottish women's race victory in Vienna|website=www.runnersworld.de|last=Müller|first=Jonas|language=de|date=26 May 2024|access-date=2 February 2025}} However, she was unable to finish the 10,000 m at the European Athletics Championships.{{cite web|url=https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7158244?eventId=10229521&gender=W|title=2024 European Athletics Championships - Women's 10,000m - Results|website=World Athletics|access-date=2 February 2024}}

At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, McColgan finished fifteenth in the 10,000 m.{{cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/eilish-mccolgan-proved-doubters-wrong-by-competing-at-her-fourth-olympics-112548093.html|title=Eilish McColgan proved doubters wrong by competing at her fourth Olympics|website=uk.sports.yahoo.com|date=10 August 2024|access-date=2 February 2025|last=Harle|first=Tom}} She won on her return to the half marathon, taking victory at The Big Half in 1:09.14.{{cite web|url=https://athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/eilish-mccolgan-claims-big-half-win-on-return-to-half-marathon-1039992126/|title=Eilish McColgan claims Big Half win on return to half-marathon|website=Athletics Weekly|last=Adams|first=Tim|date=1 September 2024|access-date=2 February 2025}} On 8 September, McColgan competed over the same distance at the Great North Run, finishing fifth in 1:07.45.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/articles/c89wj471dzvo|title=Scott finishes second and McColgan fifth in Great North Run|department=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=8 September 2024|access-date=2 February 2025}}

=2025=

On April 27, McColgan made her long-awaited marathon debut at the 2025 London Marathon, placing 8th in 2:24:25 as the top british finisher.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/london-marathon-2025-elite-fields-cairess-yee-b2680284.html|title=Emile Cairess, Alex Yee and Eilish McColgan lead British hopes at London Marathon 2025|website=The Independent|date=15 January 2025|access-date=2 February 2025|last=Rathnorn|first=Jack}}

Achievements

=Personal bests=

Information from World Athletics profile unless otherwise noted.

1500 metres – 4:00.97 (Rabat 2019)
One mile – 4:24.71 Birmingham (2019)
3000 metres – 8:31.00 (Birmingham 2017)
5000 metres – 14:28.55 (Oslo 2021) {{AthAbbr|NR|British}}
10,000 metres – 30:00.86 (San Juan Capistrano, CA 2023) {{AthAbbr|NR|British}}
3000 metres steeplechase – 9:35.82 (Moscow 2013) ({{AthAbbr|NR|Scottish}} Scottish)

;Road

5 kilometres – 14:45 (Málaga 2022) {{AthAbbr|Wo}} {{AthAbbr|NR|British}}
10 kilometres – 30:19 (Manchester 2022) European record
10 miles – 50:43 (Portsmouth 2021) European best
Half marathon – 1:05:43 (Berlin 2023) {{AthAbbr|Mx}} {{AthAbbr|NR|British}}
Marathon - 2:24:25 (London 2025) ({{AthAbbr|NR|Scottish}} Scottish)

=National titles=

British Athletics Championships
5000 metres: 2019
10,000 metres: 2021
3000 m steeplechase: 2012, 2013, 2014
British Indoor Athletics Championships
1500 metres: 2018
3000 metres: 2017
Scottish Athletics Championships
3000 m steeplechase: 2011

=Competition record=

{{AchievementTable|Event=yes|Time=yes|NotesOff=yes|nation=GBR2|nation2=SCO}}

rowspan=2|2008

|rowspan=2|Commonwealth Youth Games

|rowspan=2|Pune, India

|5th (h1)

|4:32.10

8th

|9:58.42

rowspan=2|2011

|European Team Championships Super League

|Stockholm, Sweden

|9th

|9:55.13 {{AthAbbr|PB}}

European U23 Championships

|Ostrava, Czech Republic

|6th

|9:52.02

2012

|London, United Kingdom

|30th (h)

|9:54.36

2013

|World Championships

|Moscow, Russia

|10th

|9:37.33

2014

|Commonwealth Games

|Glasgow, United Kingdom

|6th

|9:44.65 {{AthAbbr|SB}}

rowspan=2|2016

|European Championships

|Amsterdam, Netherlands

|6th

|15:28.53

|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

|13th

|15:12.09

rowspan=2|2017

|European Indoor Championships

|Belgrade, Serbia

|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd

|8:47.43

World Championships

|London, United Kingdom

|10th

|15:00.43

rowspan=5|2018

|rowspan=2|World Indoor Championships

|rowspan=2|Birmingham, United Kingdom

|20th (h)

|4:13.32

10th

|9:01.32

rowspan=2|Commonwealth Games

|rowspan=2|Gold Coast, Australia

|6th

|4:04.30

6th

|15:34.88

European Championships

|Berlin, Germany

|bgcolor=silver|2nd

|14:53.05

rowspan=5|2019

|European Indoor Championships

|Glasgow, United Kingdom

|7th

|8:59.71

European 10,000m Cup

|London, United Kingdom

|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd

|31:16.76 PB

rowspan=2|The Match Europe v USA

|rowspan=2|Minsk, Belarus

|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd

|4:05.58

bgcolor=cc9966|3rd

|9:01.03

World Championships

|Doha, Qatar

|10th

|14:46.17 PB

rowspan=3|2021

|European 10,000m Cup

|Birmingham, United Kingdom

|bgcolor=gold|1st

|31:19.35

rowspan=2|Olympic Games

|rowspan=2|Tokyo, Japan

|23rd (h)

|15:09.68

9th

|31:04.46

rowspan=6|2022

|rowspan=2|World Championships

|rowspan=2|Eugene, OR, United States

|11th

|15:03.03

10th

|30:34.60

rowspan=2|Commonwealth Games

|rowspan=2|Birmingham, United Kingdom

|bgcolor=silver|2nd

|14:42.14 SB

bgcolor=gold|1st

|30:48.60 {{AthAbbr|GR}}

rowspan=2|European Championships

|rowspan=2|Munich, Germany

|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd

|14:59.34

bgcolor=silver|2nd

|30:41.05

rowspan=2|2024

|European Championships

| –

|DNF

| 15th

|31:20.51 SB

Awards and honours

;2022

British Athletics Writers' Association: Cliff Temple Award for British Female Athlete of the Year (jointly with Laura Muir){{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Jason |date=2022-12-20 |title=BAWA awards go to Muir, McColgan and Wightman |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/bawa-awards-go-to-muir-mccolgan-and-wightman-1039963758/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=AW |language=en-GB}}
BT Sport Action Woman of the Year{{Cite web |last=Pattle |first=Alex |date=2022-11-16 |title=Eilish McColgan named BT Sport's Action Woman of the Year |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/eilish-mccolgan-bt-sport-action-woman-awards-winner-b2226305.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=The Independent |language=en}}
Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year{{Cite news |last=Tarry |first=Peter |date=2022-11-18 |title=Eilish McColgan named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/athletics/article/eilish-mccolgan-named-sunday-times-sportswoman-of-the-year-jxn6277hr |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-11-18 |issn=0140-0460}}
Sports Journalists' Association: SJA Committee Award{{Cite web |title=2022 SJA British Sports Awards |url=https://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/sja-sport-awards/2022-sja-british-sports-awards/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=SportsJournalists.co.uk |publisher=Sports Journalists' Association |language=en-GB}}
British Athletics Supporters Club's Athlete of the Year{{Cite web|date=2022-11-21|title=Record-breaker! Eilish runs new British mark for 15k in Holland . . . after four awards in four days|url=https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/eilish-record-and-awards/|access-date=2022-11-21|website=Scottish Athletics}}
Women's Sport Alliance Athlete of the Year{{Cite web |title=WSA Awards 2022 - Winners Revealed |url=https://www.wsportsalliance.com/award-winners-2022 |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=Women's Sports Alliance |language=en-GB}}
Scottish Women in Sport Sportswoman of the Year{{Cite web|date=2022-11-19|title=Eilish lands Scottish Sportswoman of Year award with more success for athletics and jogscotland, too|url=https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/swis-awards-eilish/|access-date=2022-11-19|website=Scottish Athletics}}
Scottish Athletics Commonwealth Games Achievement Trophy{{Cite web|date=2022-10-30|title=4J Annual Awards: Jake and Sean land our 4J Athlete of Year titles after memorable year|url=https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/athlete-of-year-awarded/|access-date=2022-10-30|website=Scottish Athletics}}
Scottish Sports Awards: Moment of the Year{{Cite news |date=2022-12-08 |title=Simpsons, Wightman & Muir among top Scots awards |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/scotland/63900178 |access-date=2022-12-08}}
Athletics Weekly: British Female Athlete of the Year{{Cite web |date=2022-12-08 |title=AW readers' choice poll results |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/aw-readers-choice-poll-results-1039963443/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=AW |language=en-GB}}
University of Dundee Honorary Doctor of Laws degree{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Craig |date=2022-11-08 |title=Eilish McColgan to receive honorary degree from University of Dundee |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23109788.eilish-mccolgan-receive-honorary-degree-university-dundee/ |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=The Herald |language=en}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

{{World Athletics}}
{{British Athletics}}
{{Team GB}}
{{Olympedia}}
{{Team Scotland|eilish-mccolgan}}
{{2022 Commonwealth Games profile|52872}}
{{Instagram}}

{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 10000m Women}}

{{British Athletics Championships women's steeplechase champions}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McColgan, Eilish}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Dundee

Category:British female steeplechase runners

Category:Scottish female steeplechase runners

Category:Scottish female long-distance runners

Category:British female long-distance runners

Category:Scottish female middle-distance runners

Category:British female middle-distance runners

Category:Olympic female steeplechase runners

Category:Olympic female long-distance runners

Category:Olympic athletes for Great Britain

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2020 Summer Olympics

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Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for Great Britain

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Category:People educated at the High School of Dundee

Category:Alumni of the University of Dundee

Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Scotland

Category:European Athletics Championships medalists

Category:21st-century Scottish sportswomen

Category:Scottish people of Irish descent

Category:Medallists at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Scotland

Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists in athletics

Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists in athletics