By Peter Jardine
Reigning champion Eilish McColgan is making plans to defend her Commonwealth Games Women’s 10,000m title at Glasgow 2026.
The four-time Olympian is already an Official Ambassador for the Games but the role she really wants is . . . Team Scotland competitor and medal contender at Scotstoun.
Eilish memorably won gold in the 10,000m at Birmingham 2022 with a last lap kick which duly joined the pantheon of great moments in Scottish sport.
Mum and coach Liz won two golds in the same event at the Commonwealths decades ago and, while Eilish is mindful four years have elapsed since Birmingham, the temptation of racing for a home crowd is pulling hard on her heart-strings.
‘If these Games were being held in Australia or anywhere else around the Commonwealth then I would not be thinking about it,’ said Eilish.
‘The only reason I am trying to make it happen is because Scotland are the host nation.
‘At the moment I don’t know how feasible that could be or how realistic that is. Road running is now my thing; that is my job. Track running is no longer a job for me.
‘So, with it being in Glasgow, there is that big emotional pull to represent Team Scotland and to race at Scotstoun.’
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‘There is that nostalgia angle of wanting to compete again at a home Commonwealth Games like we did in 2014. If I am there then great – that would be amazing. I will give it my best shot. But if not then so be it.
‘I really would not have even tried to make the Games if it was anywhere other than Scotland.’
Top Brit at the London Marathon four weeks ago, Eilish is still recovering from that run. Megan Keith, tenth in the World Champs last summer, is already selected for the Women’s 10,0000m at the Games – wit the full team selection to be confirmed mid-June.
‘Team Scotland look really strong in athletics,’ added Eilish in a Q and A webinar for Athletics Trust Scotland.
‘If you look at the Men’s Mile event then I think we could fill the whole race with fast Scottish 1500m runners. It is pretty incredible.
‘There’s Megan (Keith) in the 10,000m and you still have Laura (Muir) and Jemma (Reekie) knocking about. I am fully expecting strong Scottish performances and athletes chasing medals.
‘It won’t be make-or-break by me being there or not being there. But I will try my absolute best to make it happen.’
Eilish in action at Hampden in the 2014 Commonwealth Games (photo by Bobby Gavin)
Eilish’s stunning victory at Birmingham 2022 came at her third Commonwealths. Like Muir, she was in the team 12 years ago for Glasgow 2014 when she raced the 3000m steeplechase.
‘The noise at Hampden for Glasgow 2014 was off the scale,’ recalled the Dundee Hawkhill Harrier..
‘When any Scottish athlete, even athletes from around Britain, came out the levels went through the roof.
‘I remember Lynsey (Sharp) winning her silver medal in the 800m and the crowd just went totally bananas for the race finish.
‘Those memories stay with you. My performance (in steeplechase) was not the best but it was such a great experience.
‘I guess at that stage I just always hoped the Commonwealths might come back to Scotland or the rest of the UK within the span of my career.
‘Birmingham was amazing in 2022. Having so many people in the crowd cheering you cannot be replicated at other venues around the world. That is the home Games effect.’
Now Eilish McColgan hopes to tap into those feelings once again at Glasgow 2026.
Photo by Bobby Gavin
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Commonwealth Games, Eilish McColgan, Glasgow 2026, Team Scotland