Eilish wins Big Half with Course Record run as Andy home fourth with PB

Sunday 4th September 2022

Photo by Mark Shearman

Eilish McColgan crowned her remarkable summer season with a Course Record to win the Big Half in London.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah claimed his third win in the men’s race, crossing the line in 61:49.

McColgan was out on her own for much of the race and won in 67:35 to smash the previous course record of 69:51 for the London event.

Andy Butchart took fourth place in the Men’s race with a run of 62.59 to set a new Personal Best, while Shettleston’s Weynay Ghebreselasie was sixth in 63:39. Adam Craig was ninth in 65:27.

Eilish’s win rounded off a superb season for the 31-year-old, which has included Commonwealth Games gold for Scotland at 10,000m plus three other medals at Commonwealth and European level, and European 10km and British half-marathon records on the road.

Eilish has withdrawn from next month’s London Marathon and a debut at the full distance because of a medical issue identified as rebound hypoglycaemia, which affects endurance athletes and leads to reduced blood sugar levels.

‘It’s been a dream season,’ said McColgan, who was followed home at the Big Half by 2021 winner Charlotte Purdue and Samantha Harrison. Steph Twell was fifth in 73:55.

‘I’m really happy. It was nice to be back in London and it was an incredible experience.

‘The crowd were amazing. I had people cheering, shouting ‘go on Liz’ halfway through as well so I was trying hard not to smile and laugh.’

On her withdrawal from the London Marathon, she added: ‘It’s disappointing. If it was up to me then I would probably try to muscle through it but I know that is my heart speaking. The sensible decision is to get everything right for April.’

David Weir set a course record to win the men’s wheelchair race and Eden Rainbow-Cooper won the women’s.

A huge well done to Andrew Butchart who finished 4th at the @OfficialBigHalf today in an incredible 62:59! Think that’s a new club HM record! ? pic.twitter.com/gTrCSJY0VC

— Central Athletics Club (@Central_AC) September 4, 2022