- Eilish McColgan’s champion mother Liz won the London Marthon back in 1996
- Now the Scot will finally get the opportunity to run the race herself this year
Eilish McColgan will make her long-awaited London Marathon debut in April – almost 30 years after her mother Liz won the event.
McColgan was due to take part in the iconic race for the first time in 2023, but she pulled out two days before because of a knee injury.
The Scot, who competed in the 10,000 metres at last summer’s Paris Olympics, has still never raced over the 26.2-mile distance.
But the 34-year-old will now run a marathon for the first time in London on April 27 in a field which also includes returning champion Peres Jepchirchir, Olympic gold medallist Sifan Hasan and world record holder Ruth Chepngetich.
‘I’m really looking forward to making my marathon debut in London this year,’ said McColgan, who was five years old when she watched her mum win on the streets of the capital in 1996.
‘After a tough 12 months of injury, I’m excited to finally toe the line and start the next chapter of my career on the roads.
Eilish McColgan will finally make her London Marathon debut this year after a knee injury ruled her out in 2023
Her mother, Liz (right), a former BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner, triumphed in the marathon in 1996
Daughter Eilish is an accomplished long-distance runner but is yet to run over 26.2 miles
‘I’ve always had such incredible support on the streets of London when racing over the 10k and half marathon events, so I can’t wait to experience what the full TCS London Marathon atmosphere has in store.’
McColgan’s withdrawal from the 2023 event came with controversy after she also revealed how race organisers had threatened to ban her from competing due to a sponsorship clash.
The Commonwealth 10,000m champion wanted to wear the logo of her sponsor, Science in Sport, on her vest, but London Marathon chiefs would not allow it because the nutrition brand were a competitor of Lucozade Sport, the official sports drink of the race.
McColgan said the stress caused by the disagreement was a factor in her injuring her knee, which ended up requiring surgery at the end of 2023 before she returned to competition in May 2024.
Mail Sport understands, however, that McColgan and the London Marathon have since settled their differences, even though both retain deals with the same rival sponsors.
In the men’s London Marathon, Emile Cairess will lead the British challenge following his impressive third-place finish last year.
The 27-year-old also came fourth at the Paris Olympics, the best result by a Brit in the marathon since 2004.
Cairess is now eyeing up Mo Farah’s British record having put himself second on the all-time list with his run of 2hr 6min 46sec in London.
Emile Cairess will lead the British challenge and believes his hard work has been paying off
‘I had a great year in 2024 with some really positive results,’ said the Bradford-born star. ‘My runs at the TCS London Marathon and at the Paris Olympic Games were really satisfying and shows the hard work is paying off.
‘I love racing the TCS London Marathon because it brings together the best athletes in the world. I want to be racing these guys on the big occasions and London provides that opportunity.
‘I have three marathons of experience now and I’m still learning about the event, which makes me even more excited and positive for the future.
‘I’m looking forward to putting in a good block of training and seeing what I can do on April 27.’
Britain’s Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee will make his marathon debut in London, with defending champion Alex Mutiso and Olympic gold medallist Tamirat Tola also confirmed to run
