EILISH IS THE DOMINATOR
SCOT BLOWS AWAY HER RIVALS WITH SIZZLING SHOW TO SEAL DOHA SPOT
EILISH McCoLgan had one goal in mind when she pitched up at the UK athletics Championships yesterday. not just victory. not merely the top-two finish required to earn a spot at the forthcoming IaaF world championships in Doha. The Dundonian desired dominance. and she seized it with both hands.
Even her illustrious mum Liz, watching the women’s 5,000metres final from the side of the track, can rarely have blown a field away so emphatically.
Within a few laps, 28-year-old McColgan was out of reach. By the close, she was out of sight, her rivals just entering the home straight when she crossed the line in 15:21.38.
The competition will be a lot tougher in this week’s Diamond League final in Zurich. although Birmingham was sizzling, the temperatures in Qatar will be hotter still. But this was a fine way to warm up for the Scot who looks in the best shape of her life.
‘It’s the first year I’ve come to trials in shape, with no issues whatsoever,’ she said.
‘So I thought: “Why not make the other girls hurt?” There was no point sitting there, getting down the last 300 and then seeing someone outkick me. What a waste of time that would be after all the work I’ve put in. I have been second and third at this. I’m feeling great. So I wanted to go for it.’
neil gourley kept his cool in the sun by leading Scotland’s 1,500 metres maestros to a 1-2-3 sweep of the podium.
The 24-year-old glaswegian produced a stunning late charge down the inside lane to take gold in 3:48.36, and was then followed home by Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman in a mass lunge for the line.
It means gourley now heads to Doha for his first major shot at the big time.
and, after British team chiefs left him out in the cold 12 months ago when he came third, this felt like redemption.
‘Last year, I thought I had a shot of going to the Europeans and was emphatically told no,’ said gourley.
‘I knew because of that, and the standard of people running this year, that third wasn’t going to be good enough to go.
‘I don’t think anyone would dispute that. So top two is where
I wanted to end up. But I’m not in this sport to win British Championships. I want to get a medal at the world and olympic championships.’
Kerr, 21, landed the second automatic place in the world squad after holding on for dear life. But Wightman’s third place means the European medallist will have to wait to see if selectors pick him or top-ranked Englishman Charlie Da’Vall grice.
Reigning champion Chris o’Hare, who managed only sixth, will jet straight back to the US and regroup for next year’s olympics.
Jemma Reekie is destined for Doha after she came second to Sarah McDonald in the women’s 1,500m, while Lynsey Sharp’s 800m silver ensured that she will be on the plane, too.
Beth Dobbin snapped up a women’s 200m spot as runner-up to Jodie Williams, while adam gemili set a championship record of 20.08 secs in the men’s 200m final to emerge as the victor in the Battle of the Brits ahead of Zharnel Hughes.
a few others have a little extra work to do to make the world championships, although Zoey Clark’s third place in the 400m final all but guarantees the aberdonian a relay run in Doha.
guy Learmonth’s job is exactly half-complete. He just missed the 800m title in a photo finish with unheralded Spencer Thomas, with both timed at 1:46.79.
now the Borderer must run the qualifying standard of 1:45.80 by next Saturday to earn a place on the flight to Qatar.