The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Way out West’ training helps McColgan with Tokyo target
Dundee Hawkhill Harrier Eilish McColgan’s ‘way out west’ training has concluded with trail tuns in Colorado Springs before a final effort in Boulder along the Mesa Davidson trail.
She will now fly back to the UK with partner Michael Rimmer and look towards the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics and an increase in distance.
The 29-year-old will make her third appearance in the 5,000m at next summer’s rearranged Tokyo Games before switching her focus to the marathon as she bids to make Paris 2024.
McColgan said: “On the Black Forest trail in Colorado Springs, we bumped into Paul Chelimo (Olympic Silver medallist) and an athletics coach whom I had met previously at the World Indoors.
“During our short time in Colorado Springs, we also bumped into Gary and Linda Staines, who were both professional athletes back in my parents’ day, whilst we were out for an evening jog.”
Of the step up to marathon, she said: “It’s a scary prospect but it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do.
“I probably would have gone to it a little bit sooner had the Olympics not been delayed. For the following Games I’d hope to challenge for a spot on the marathon team.”
The Dundee athlete could look to use the marathon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as a stepping stone for Paris two years later.
“After doing the Great South Run I’ve got comfortable over the 10-mile distance and it’s given me confidence to look forward to my first half marathon,” she added.
Members of Dunfermline club Carnegie Harriers have risen to the challenge of a virtual relay.
Teams were sorted into CovOdd 19 – born on odd days and Evengers – born on even days – and were tasked with running as far as possible – within lockdown restrictions – in 19 minutes. Each day one member per team undertook the challenge from April 11 to May 17. After 37 days less than a mile separated the two teams.
A total distance of 101.43 miles (163.24km) was covered by team Covodd 19 and 102.28 miles (164.60km) by team Evengers.