26 years after the event was won by her mother, Liz McColgan
Scottish distance runner Eilish McColgan will make her marathon debut at the 2022 TCS London Marathon, 26 years after the event was won by her mother, Liz McColgan.
Eilish McColgan has been at the forefront of British and European running over the past few years, with records at 5K, 10K and 10-mile distances. The 2022 TCS London Marathon will be her first attempt at the event, although she has prepared by pacemaking at the previous two London Marathons.
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She said of the announcement: “I’m so excited to finally be taking part in the TCS London Marathon. I’ve been looking forward and planning the step up to the marathon distance over the past number of years and this year’s London Marathon comes at the perfect time after a busy summer on the track.
“Obviously, the London Marathon holds a very special place in the heart of my family with my mum’s win in 1996. I don’t actually remember the race myself, but I’ve seen the finish many times down the years. I’m now looking forward to experiencing it for myself.”
The field for the 2022 event will see some stiff competition, including world record holder Brigid Kosgei (KEN), defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN), and the fastest-ever female marathon debutant Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH). In total, the race will see nine elite runners who have times inside 2:20.
Kosgei returns after victories in 2019 and 2020, along with the world record of 2:14:04 set in Chicago in 2019. She also won the 2022 Tokyo Marathon in 2:16:02.
McColgan will be joined by British number one Charlotte Purdue – after finishing 9th at the 2022 Boston Marathon – along with Steph Twell, Rose Harvey and Samantha Harrison.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the TCS London Marathon, said: “The elite women’s field at this year’s TCS London Marathon has so many incredible storylines. We’re all looking forward to watching Eilish McColgan follow in her mum Liz’s footsteps and seeing if she can translate her incredible form over the shorter distances on the road to the marathon.
“But we’ve also got a mouthwatering battle between two great champions, Brigid Kosgei and Joyciline Jepkosgei. Kosgei showed she is back to her best form with her win in Tokyo earlier this year, but Jepkosgei looked incredibly confident during her win here last year.
“Finally, there’s the intrigue of seeing how Charlotte Purdue, who just gets better and better, will perform in her third marathon of the year.”
To find out more about the 2022 London Marathon click here.
