Eilish McColgan bows out from 2021 in style

In an Olympic year, the 30-year has made a massive impact both on the international stage and at home domestically.

McColgan’s terrific form throughout the past 12 months peaked over the weekend when she won the Great South Run to bring to an end her competitive campaign until the new year.

Victory in that race followed up her first place finish at the Great Manchester Run 10K in September and her second place at the 40th anniversary Great North Run shortly before.

McColgan’s most recent win, in a time of 50:43, saw her take almost half a minute off Paula Radcliffe’s UK record for 10 miles.

It also shaved 17 seconds from Sonia O’Sullivan’s course record at the Great South Run.

Her time also took nearly a minute off her own 51:38 previous personal best and secured her victory in the race for the third time.

O’Sullivan’s course record of 51:00 had stood since 2002.

Radcliffe’s national record of 51:11 was set in 2008 shortly before she won the New York City Marathon.

McColgan has pestered Radcliffe’s records across the year.

In August she beat her UK 5000m mark with 14:28.55 in Oslo.

Although clearly excelling on the roads this year, the start of 2021 saw McColgan heavily involved with top class track events including, of course, the Olympics in Tokyo.

She confirmed her pace at her third games in June by winning the European 10,000m Cup at the University of Birmingham Stadium.

McColgan competed in the steeplechase at London 2012 and then in the 5000m at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

In Tokyo she prepared for the 5000m and 10,000m titles.

Her 5000m campaign was disappointing, the local athlete failing to make the final following a scruffy race in which she was clipped by opponents.

There was no feeling sorry for herself, though, and McColgan, who has already been confirmed for Scotland’s 2022 Commonwealth Games squad, prepared for the 10,000m.

It was a terrific response and she finished ninth place in the Olympic 10,000m final.

McColgan’s impressive year saw her confirmed as one of 10 Scots selected for the British Athletics Olympic World Class Programme for 2021/22.

The WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative supporting the delivery of success at named milestone targets, namely outdoor track world and European championships and Olympics Games.

The other Scots included this week are Beth Dobbin, Zoey Clark, Callum Hawkins, Josh Kerr, Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie, Lynsey Sharp, Jake Wightman and Nicole Yeargin.

A spokesman for Scottish Athletics said: “We send our warm congratulations to these athletes and their coaches and support teams on being recognised for performances at global level.”