Callum’s really flying the flag
Liz salutes world-class Scottish runners
Running legend Liz McColganNuttall has heaped praise on Callum Hawkins and the latest band of Scottish marathon runners.
Watching from afar, McColgan insists the current batch of athletes battling it out on the circuit are a credit to the nation.
With the likes of Kilbarchan AAC’s Hawkins, Eilidh Doyle and Laura Muir all hogging the limelight, McColgan admits it is a golden age for the nation.
And this weekend, with five Scots participating in the Diamond League stage of the Prefontaine Classic Meet in Eugene, USA, McColgan expects the runners to live up the global billing of the competition.
She said: “What’s happening at the moment really is exciting.
“There’s a strong bunch there and we can’t refer to them now as youngsters because they are in their mid-20s – some aged 26, 27.
“They have matured well as they have come through the age groups to seniors and international level. We have athletes now we can truly label as world-class and that’s great for the sport.”
McColgan continues to coach her daughter Eilish, an Olympian, while also taking in as much of the athletics action as she can.
And, with a number of Scottish athletes competing at the top of the world rankings, McColgan has been left impressed with the progress being made.
Eilidh Doyle, Muir, Lynsey Sharp, Andy Butchart and Hawkins will all travel to the World Championships later this summer.
McColgan added: “Some of them have come through the other side in terms of one of two things if you look back at their experiences down recent years.
“Athletics is a tough sport. It is a learning curve and I always think that the success you get out of it comes hand in hand with disappointments. Injuries are part of it and, often, it is about how you manage your way through it and try and maintain your balance to keep on going and progressing.”