Sarah breaks Scottish Record in steeplechase after GB and NI selection

Monday 16th June 2025

Photos courtesy of West Virginia University

Sarah bound for Madrid after GB and NI selection

Sarah Tait broke a Scottish Record held by Eilish McColgan for more than ten years – then thanked the four-time Olympian for her support.

Sarah finished fourth in the NCAA final in Eugene, Oregon, in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase as she brought her PB down to 9:27.80 in the colours of West Virginia University.

That’s a new Scottish Record with Eilish having clocked 9:35.82 back in 2013 when the steeplechase was her main event.

What a way to complete a memorable week for Sarah, with the Lasswade AC athlete having been named for the first time for a Senior International Championship by British Athletics when selected for the European Team Champs in Madrid later this month.

Sarah was coached by Linda and Kirk Smith in her formative years at Lasswade, came through the scottishathletics National Academy and then improved further in the States (with coach Sean Cleary). Linda and Kirk remain her coaches.

On our Facebook page, Sarah said: ‘I am very lucky to be guided by three incredible coaches. I would not be where I am today without any of you and especially Kirk and Linda.’

It has also transpired she was the first athlete to receive support from Eilish herself via the Giving Back to Track programme.

The duo exchanged messages on social media with Eilish offering her congratulations and Sarah her thanks to the support in a classic example of our #SALtogether ethos.

The final performance was 10 seconds faster than in the semifinals on Thursday inside of Hayward Field. It lands the Scot coveted ‘All-America’ status in the women’s steeplechase.