Incredible Eilish McColgan powered past her 10,000m rivals to secure Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham.
The 31-year-old outlasted the competition to secure the biggest win of her career in front of a raucous crowd. And the magical moment was made all the sweeter as legendary mum Liz was on hand to offer her daughter the warmest of embraces.
The new Commonwealth Queen said: “It has just been an up and down year with Covid, another illness, a couple of niggles at the wrong time. I knew the fitness was in me. I couldn’t have asked for more. My family were here, the crowd on that last 100m, well it was vibrating through my own body. Without the crowd, I wouldn’t have finished that. I wanted it so badly. I know the girls are super strong, I knew if I could stay with them I had a chance of a medal. But this is an absolute dream.
“It’s so special to have this event in the UK. This is my fourth Commonwealth Games and my fourth event – I have done the 1500m, the 5km, the steeplechase. I have finally found the event and to win tonight is incredible. Your family know all the ups and downs and how difficult the journey is. These are my fourth Commonwealths and I have come sixth every time. I was ready to win the medal. But I wanted gold down that last 200m. It’s mad.”
And jubilant mum Liz could barely hide her emotion as Eilish followed in her footsteps and secured Commonwealth glory, like she did in Edinburgh and Auckland.
She said: “The crowd were amazing. As a mother, not even as a coach, to witness your daughter winning this race is amazing. And to win it in the same event I won it in.
“She ran the race I always knew she was capable of running. It was amazing to watch. It was very nerve-wracking. This has been a long time coming for Eilish. She put it all together. I know the hard work she does. It’s fantastic it has all come together and she has won."
