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Eilish McColgan’s European 10K record ruled invalid after course found to be short

This is the second time there has been a discrepancy in distance at the Great Scottish Run. The course was also 150 metres short in 2016

Eilish McColgan Photo by: James Rhodes

Eilish McColgan’s European and British 10K record of 30 minutes and 18 seconds from the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow has been ruled invalid for ratification after the course was found to be 150 metres short.

Race organizers said that the shortfall was due to “human error” and sent out an email apologizing to participants. This was McColgan’s third time breaking the British 10K record this year. 

McColgan tweeted: “Obviously, I am disappointed with this news, but these things happen! Thankfully my British and European Record still stands from the Great Manchester 10K. So it’s all good!”

Her previous British and European record was only one second slower than the time she ran in Glasgow earlier this month.

Eilish mcColgan gold
McColgan earned Commonwealth gold in the women’s 10,000m. Photo: Kevin MacKinnon

This is the second time there has been a discrepancy in distance; the course came up 150 metres short in 2016. The error saw Callum Hawkins lose the Scottish half-marathon record he set at the 2016 event.

Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run company, said the organization is “extremely disappointed” about the error. “We were recently made aware of a discrepancy with the 10k course at this year’s Great Scottish Run,” he said in a statement. “An area of the course was not laid out in line with the previously agreed plans.”

The race will be offering a 10 per cent discount for all runners who took part in the 2022 race into the 2023 event.

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