Eilish McColgan aims to secure a victory in the upcoming Great North Run, following her mother Liz’s success in the prestigious event. The Scottish athlete narrowly missed out on winning the race twice before, and she is determined to triumph this time among the 60,000 participants.
Having narrowly missed the top spot in a thrilling sprint finish last year, McColgan is eager to improve her performance in this edition of the half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields. Expressing her admiration for the race’s history and past winners, she emphasized her desire to claim victory despite acknowledging the tough competition.
Although McColgan faced setbacks due to injuries in recent years, the 34-year-old Commonwealth 10,000m gold medalist set a new Scottish record during her marathon debut in London earlier this year. Looking to make up for lost time, she views the Great North Run as vital preparation for her upcoming marathon in New York scheduled for November.
Reflecting on her career challenges, McColgan highlighted the importance of overcoming mental barriers and focusing on her future goals. She sees her past obstacles as opportunities to propel her career forward, aiming to capitalize on her experience and push for further success.
In the men’s elite race, Marc Scott leads the British contingent, seeking to replicate his previous victory. However, he faces strong competition from defending champion Abel Kipchumba, Alex Mutiso Munyao, and Bashir Abdi in what promises to be a competitive field.
As a Science in Sport Ambassador, McColgan is supported by SiS, the Official Nutrition Partner of the AJ Bell Great North Run. Athletes can try the BETA Fuel Energy gels, endorsed by McColgan, for enhanced performance during their training and races.