Two of the records set by Eilish McColgan in the 10km at the Great Scottish Run were canceled as the course was short by 150 meters due to organizers’ error. The 31-year-old Birmingham Commonwealth Games champion set a new British record and improved her own European record after finishing in 30:18 min.
“We have contacted Eilish McColgan to explain the situation and to apologize”, said Paul Foster, chief executive of organisers Great Run Company.
Eilish McColgan, however, commented that this did not change her year.
“Human errors happen. The organizers have been so apologetic. They feel very embarrassed”, said Eilish McColgan. “But I have no bad words to say. I only ran a second faster in Glasgow than in Manchester earlier this year so it doesn’t really change my year in all honesty. Yes it would have been nice to finish my season on a personal best and another record, but for me it is not the end of the world. I’m sure that are loads of races round the world that aren’t measured correctly and the only reason this one has been highlighted is because I broke a record. So I’ve probably given the organisers a headache”, added she.
This is the second time a similar error has occurred at the Great Scottish Run. In 2016, the track was also shorter by 150 meters. Because of this error, the record of the Scotsman Callum Hawkins, who won the half marathon this year with 1:03:35, was canceled.
“We will review our internal processes to ensure we do not repeat this mistake. There are no excuses for what is happening and we are very sorry. We know we have let our customers down”, added Paul Foster.
Eilish McColgan is a Scottish middle- and long-distance runner, who is the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion and 5,000m silver medallist. She holds the European record in the 10 km road race and British records for the 5,000m and half marathon.
