‘Laura and Eilish are inspirational role models for everyone across our sport’ – Megan Keith

Friday 10th July 2026

Megan Keith has thanked Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan for being inspirational role models.

The Inverness Harriers athlete won pre-selection for the Commonwealth Games last summer with a tenth place finish in the Women’s 10,000m final.

Now Megan is set to face defending champion Eilish over that distance at Scotstoun before doubling up in the 5000m later in the programme – where she will face Laura and Eloise Walker.

Images of Eilish embracing Megan at the Olympics went viral two years ago after a tough night in Paris and it is abundantly clear the bonds are strong between our top Scots.

‘I think Laura and Eilish are incredible role models for everyone across our sport,’ Megan told scottishathletics.

‘Not just women in athletics in Scotland ! I am inspired by them. I watch it every time they race.

‘It will be very special for me to line up with them on the start line at the Commonwealth Games.

‘If I can do that and stand there next to two of my idols in the sport, then who knows maybe other athletes can do the same. Four years from now can others be standing alongside me?

‘So it will feel amazing to be with them in Team Scotland – I’m really looking forward to it.’

Support act: Eilish on hand to help Megan after tough night

Megan’s race schedule now includes a 3000m at the London Diamond League on Saturday 18 July. But the countdown to Scotstoun will include training in the Highlands.

‘Yes, I will be back in Inverness between now and the start of the Games,’ she said.

‘Unfortunately the track in Inverness is closed for redevelopment work at the moment but the training continues regardless. Everyone just moves to the campus site which is a brilliant facility and I will be up there again soon doing some reps.’

Four years ago Megan was on the fringes of selection for Birmingham 2022 – but only the fringes. Her coruscating rise since then is a regular topic of conversation with long-term coach, Ross Cairns.

‘My coach and I discuss my development from time to time and it has been quite fast!

‘If I remember rightly then the qualifying standard for 5000m for Birmingham four years ago was 15.40. I was not a million miles away from that and I was training with Mhairi Maclennan at that time and she was making a shot at making Team Scotland.

‘So we planned some 5ks on the track to see if I could make that but we realized after one or two that it looked unlikely for me at that time.

‘It is a full circle moment this time then for me to be in the team for 10,000m and 5000m.

‘I secured pre-selection way back last autumn with my tenth place at the World Champs and it was a good feeling knowing that was achieved. It has helped me prepare with sole focus on the last week in July rather than post a qualifying mark.

‘Looking back it has been a crazy progression with a European Champs track medal, the Olympics and a World Champs tenth place. But I’ve had fun along the way.’