McColgan delays bid for Worlds selection

Eilish McColgan insists she still wants a spot at July’s World Athletics Championships in London despite passing on a shot at the British title and guaranteed selection for Oregon.

The Dundee athlete is a late scratch for tonight’s UK trials for the 10,000 metres which are included within the Night of the 10,000 PBs meeting in Highgate.

Instead, the 31-year-old has opted to remain at her altitude training base in France and delay the opening of her track season for at least three more weeks.

It follows a series of stellar runs on the road that included missing Paula Radcliffe’s European 10km record by just two seconds last week.

But with a gruelling hattrick of Worlds, Commonwealths and

Europeans coming up in quick succession, and possible twin targets at each, McColgan claims it’s a “sensible decision” to bide her time.

She said: “I’m not sure on my plans yet on whether to double or not for Worlds. I’m going to wait and see how my races go this summer and decide – 10,000m is most likely my priority.

“For Commonwealth Games, I hope to do both 5,000 and 10,000. Europeans, we haven’t decided yet. I will get through Worlds and Commonwealths first.”

In McColgan’s absence, Scots pair Mhairi MacLennan and Annabel Simpson will take a swing at the title at the floodlight event with Sarah Inglis jetting in from California after earning Scottish Athletics qualification standard for the 5,000m last weekend.

With Andy Butchart sidelined through injury, all eyes will be on club runner Ellis Cross in the men’s 10,000m following his shock defeat of Mo Farah at this month’s Vitality 10,000.

George Mills starts favourite in the Emsley Carr Mile with Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman remaining Stateside.

Meanwhile, Fifer Beth Dobbin began her summer campaign with sixth place in the women’s 200 metres at last night’s opening

Diamond League leg in Doha.

And the Scottish record holder revealed she’s targeting a medal double at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Dobbin clocked 23.06 seconds in a top quality field with American Gabby Thomas equalling the meeting record of 21.98 to edge out fellow Tokyo Olympic medallist Shericka Jackson for victory – with British No 1 Dina AsherSmith third in 22.37 on her return to the city where she captured the world title two years ago.

But Dobbin, set for a relay outing at next weekend’s Diamond League stop in Birmingham, admits she faces a juggle in July and August with the World Championships first up on the triple bill.

The 27-year-old said: “It’s so tricky, because which one do you neglect? Obviously Worlds is Worlds. And I would love to potentially be at my best and make the final. I think if I’m running near my personal best, that is definitely doable.

“But then the other two are much more likely medal possibilities individually. So it is really hard. I think for me, probably the priorities are going to be the Commies and the Europeans.”

Asher-Smith will target the defence of her world title with more to come, she believes. “It was OK. I feel like I was in a bit better shape than that time showed so I was a bit disappointed but it was my first race.”

Earlier, Britain’s Dan Rowden was fourth in the men’s 800m in 1:49.56, while world champion Timothy Cheruiyot was pipped by fellow Kenyan Abel Kipsang in the 1,500m.

Eilish McColgan.