Eilish McColgan has headed for high ground as she prepares for her London Marathon debut. Our sponsored athlete and record-breaking Dundee Olympian, flew out to Colorado Springs in the USA last week to begin altitude training ahead of competing over 26.2 miles for the first time.
It is another major milestone as the reigning Commonwealth 10,000 metres champion prepares for the iconic event - two years after injury stopped her maiden marathon.
During our recent webinar Eilish spoke to Ian Beattie, Chief Operating Officer: “In 2023 I was in the shape of my life and absolutely ready for London - firing on all cylinders. But I got injured and didn't make it. We've learned a lot from that.
"My mileage in training won’t be as high as it was in 2023. I think training will be more gradual. But it’s going really well. I’m excited.
“I haven’t had any altitude training so far. That’s the next thing. We’re going over to Colorado Springs, which will be an eight-week camp to really push me on - to get me back to where I was in 2023 and really confident going into the marathon distance.”
As part of her marathon build-up, Eilish has not ruled out competing in one or two more races on the road, potentially in the USA.
“But that depends how I respond to being at altitude,” the 34-year-old added. “It’s a long time since I’ve been at altitude so we’ll have to see how that goes.
“London is the priority. If we can find something maybe in America, great. If not, I’ll just train all the way through and get myself prepared for London as best I can.”
Anticipation is high as Eilish opens the next chapter in her career by making the move to marathon distance. And her plan is to soak-up as much knowledge as she can while competing on the streets of London as she looks to build on the experience as part of a field which is already being billed as the best-ever.
Eilish admitted the distance is different to anything she’s done before.
“It’s such a big challenge. I’m very aware of that,” she said.
“My aim going into the marathon is to be competitive against the other British athletes. Going off my half-marathon and track pedigree, I should be. For my first marathon, something under 2:20 would be an amazing place to start.”
This article featured in the Courier on Tuesday 4 March.
Published 4 March 2025.
