By AISLING HANNON
Eilish McColgan thanked her mother for her dedicated coaching as she rounded off an incredible 2022 by receiving the SJA Committee Award for her outstanding achievements on the track.
McColgan won gold in the 10,000m final at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with her winning time of 30:48:60 breaking the Games record set by her mother Liz 32 years prior.
Speaking at the awards, McColgan reflected on her victory at the Alexander Stadium and how her mother supported her throughout her journey.
She said: “It was a really special year and one I’ll remember for a very long time.
“It’s my first time being nominated for something like this so it’s a real honour. It rounds off such a special year.
“The fact that the Commonwealth Games win was in Birmingham, where we have events every year, was incredible. It was electric in the stadium that day.”
Liz, who won 10,000m gold at the 1986 and 1990 Commonwealth Games, trained her daughter since childhood, but McColgan insisted she was not forced into running as a youngster.
She said: “Mum never pushed me, I just enjoyed running. She stuck by me, and it was a gradual process to get where I am.”
Fast forward to the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Liz was front and centre cheering on her daughter as she crossed the line to win the gold medal.
McColgan said: “My mum was there on the day, and we had such a good year of training. Her and dad said to me: ‘fitness doesn’t disappear overnight, despite illnesses or injury’.
“My mum still loves running and runs for an hour every day. She’s 95 per cent faster than the general population! She’s the best role model that I could have.”
Speaking about her future plans, McColgan revealed she has plenty to look forward to in the new year as she focuses on road racing over the track.
She said: “I am in the midst of winter training right now and tomorrow we go to a training camp. I have a half marathon in February and then the London marathon in April which will be a new challenge.”
Aisling Hannon is a member of the SJA Academy – open to aspiring sports journalists from across the UK. Free to join, find out more here.