Eilish lands British Record; 4J Academy sessions; Scally relays

Sunday 5th March 2023

Eilish in action in California (photo by Gregorio Denny – Instragram @dvgregori)

Eilish set new Scottish Record at 10,000m (June 2022)

 

Eilish McColgan has claimed another superb British Record after making a late decision to run 10,000m on the track in California.

Eilish savoured an historic run at the Sound Running Ten on Saturday evening in San Juan Capistrano, California, as she out-kicked long-time leader Alicia Monson of the United States to win in 30:00.86.

The time saw her improve Paula Radcliffe’s British 10,000m record of 30:01.09 which was set when winning the European title in Munich in 2002.

Eilish was on pace to break her Scottish Record (30:19.02) but the British Record looked to be slipping away until she unleashed a terrific final lap of 64.87. Making her move past Monson with 300m to go, she ran her final 200m in 31.5 to shave 23 hundredths of a second off Radcliffe’s record.

‘I’m absolutely buzzing,’ said Eilish.

‘Two years ago I ran a big PB here so it’s nice to be back with the crowds. I knew I was in really good shape but to have it all come together on the day doesn’t always happen.

‘I’m building up for London Marathon and have had a few niggles and missed some prep races in January and a half-marathon in February but I’m really strong right now so I’m glad I did it.

‘The marathon is going to be a big challenge. I think I’ll run a good 20 miles but that last 10km is going to be tough.’

Many congratulations to Eilish, Michael and mum/coach Liz and the support team.

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Helping nurture and develop the next generation is always important to scottishathletics.

And our 4J National Athletics Academy is one of our key projects in this area as we seek to work with talented and hard-working athletes and their coaches, parents and support team.

The latest gathering took place at Celtic Park on Saturday with those in attendance undertaking a series of education sessions.

Pictured above is one of those, as athletes, coaches and parents learned more about Clean Sport regulations and good practice.

The next gathering of the 4J National Athletics Academy is coming up in April with a residential weekend.

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The 52nd Allan Scally Road Relays saw Falkirk Victoria Harriers win the Men’s race for the first time in the club’s history.

A fantastic leg from Scott Stirling saw a new individual course record at 14.11 and Kane Elliott brought it home on the anchor leg.

With Calum Little and Gregor Hunter completing the team, Falkirk’s time was only four seconds away from the overall course record.

Last year’s winner, Giffnock North, were second with Glasgow Uni taking third.

Host club Shettleston took the Women’s race as they smashed their previous course record by nearly two minutes to record 68 minutes (with the previous record 69:54.)

Shettleston’s team featured Fionnuala Ross, Lynn McKenna, Aoife Carr and Hannah Terrance.

Glasgow University made it a double in the Scottish Student Championships winning from Stirling Uni  (men) and Edinburgh Uni (women)

The race shows the strength  of our sport with 199 teams entered and 168  teams finishing. That’s Record entries and finishers from this historical race making it one of the biggest road relays in the UK.

Full results are available  Results – Perfect Timing (perfecttimingscotland.co.uk)

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Tags: Allan Scally Road Relays, British Record, Eilish McColgan, Falkirk Victoria Harriers, Paula Radcliffe, Shettleston Harriers