Editor’s Note: Eilish McColgan is on a journey. Stuart Weir and I have observed her on her journey from the 1,500 meters, then, to the steeplechase, then, to the 5,000m and 10,000m, and now, to the roads. In 2024, Eilish ran a marathon debut in 2:24.:25 at London. Eilish is racing well, and this 30:07 in opening her season, suggests some strong performances in 2026.
This writer recalls Eilish McColgan’s 10,000m debut in North America, at the Payton Jordan Invite at Stanford abotu a decade ago. Looking forward to seeing her compete in 2026, hopefully at the European and Commonwealth Games, but that is just a wish from a couple of athletics writers.
Well done, Eilish!
As Stuart Weir starts on his second million words with RunBlogRun, we thank our UK/Europe senior writer for his thoughtfulness, candor and sense of humor.
European 10km record for Eilish McColgan
Eilish McColgan set a women’s European 10km record in Valencia – seven days after her previous record was broken. The 35-year-old Briton knocked three seconds off Jana van Lent’s time as she finished eighth in the women’s race at the Valencia Ibercaja in 30:07. McColgan had held the record for more than three years after setting a time of 30:19 in Manchester in 2022. The record had previously been in British hands with Paula Radcliffe’s record of 30:21 being unbeaten for 19 years for almost 20 years after running in Puerto Rico in 2003.
McColgan said afterwards: “I’m really proud of myself. Crossing the finish line I was a bit emotional because it’s been a very long three years to get back to this level.” (BBC website)
Eilish is an all-round athlete whose previous achievements include:
2017 European indoors bronze 3000m
2018 European silver 5000m
2022 European silver 10000m and bronze 5000m
2022 Commonwealth Games 10000m gold and 5000m silver
Eilish has been GB champion at 3000SC, 5000m, 10000m, 10K road, half-marathon and marathon.
In 2024, Eilish McColgan ran her first marathon (London) finishing 8th in 2:24.25.
Winners in Valencia were: Women: Brenda Jepchirchir (Kenya) 29:26 and Men: Andreas Almgren (Sweden) 26:42