Course error KOS Mccolgan record
ATHLETICS: Great Scottish Run organisers have apologised to Scottish runner Eilish Mccolgan after her European and British records were invalidated after it was found the course was 150 metres short due to “human error”.
Mccolgan (pictured) had previously finished the race in Glasgow in 30 minutes and 18 seconds on Sunday, October 2.
Organisers of the race, The Great Run Company, say the course was “not laid out in line with the previously agreed plans”.
The company has been in touch with Ms Mccolgan directly to explain and apologise, saying there is “no excuse” for the incident and are offering those who took part a 10% discount on entry to the 2023 event.
It was the first time the event had returned since 2019.
Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: “We were recently made aware of a discrepancy with the 10k course at this year’s Great Scottish Run. Following an internal investigation, we have established it was 150m short. “The shortfall in the distance was wholly due to human error. An area of the course was not laid out in line with the previously agreed plans. “This error had a marginal knockon to the half marathon but it was within tolerance and the course on the day was valid.
“We’re extremely disappointed that this happened at the 10K, on what was an incredibly positive return to the city for the Great Scottish Run following the pandemic.
“We will be reviewing our internal processes to ensure we cannot make this mistake again.
“We know we’ve let our customers down on this occasion. There are no excuses for this happening and we’re very sorry.”
GOLF: The PGA Tour has announced the four additional “elevated” events which will have prize funds of 20million US dollars (£17.7m) and guaranteed appearances by top players.
As part of the response to the threat posed by LIV Golf, the PGA Tour’s top players have committed to playing against each other at least 20 times a year.
The 20 events are made up of the four majors, the Players Championship, 12 elevated tournaments on the PGA Tour - eight of which had already been named - and three other events chosen by the players.
The four elevated events announced on Wednesday are the WM Phoenix Open, RBC Heritage, Wells Fargo Championship and Travelers Championship.
The RBC Heritage takes place immediately after the Masters, while the Travelers Championship is held the week after the US Open.
Speaking at the Tour Championship in August, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said: “Our top players are firmly behind the Tour, helping us deliver an unmatched product to our fans, who will be all but guaranteed to see the best players competing against each other in 20 events or more throughout the season.
“This is an extraordinary and unprecedented commitment, a testament to who these guys are and what they believe in.”
The four newly-announced events are for 2023 only; four different tournaments could be elevated in 2024.