Eilish McColgan won her first Scottish senior title, following in the footsteps of both her illustrious parents.
Eilish McColgan won her first Scottish senior title, following in the footsteps of both her illustrious parents.
Still just 17, it seemed she was continuing the tradition of her mother, Liz, in re-writing the Scottish record books, but gratuitous intervention of spectators and coaches denied three records she appeared to have broken.
Running in the colours of Dundee Hawkhill Harriers which her world champion, mother made famous, she won the 2000 metres steeplechase in 6min 56.65sec, a time inside the championship best as well as the Scottish senior all-comers' (6:58.10), Scottish senior native (7:01.74), and under-20 (6:58.28) records.
Unfortunately, as the runners approached the water jump on the opening lap, shouts directed them to bypass it. Confused, they obeyed, and the records (though not the championship best) are consequently invalid.
The obstacle was taken only four times instead of five. "Technically all the athletes could have been disqualified," said meeting manager Pat Hockley.
It proved a costly mistake. Breaking the Scottish record would have been worth a £1000 bonus to the athlete who is on a year out before studying maths at university.
McColgan had run the event only once before, setting the existing under-20 mark.
"It's a bit annoying," said Eilish, who will be 18 in November, and consequently has some time in that age group.
"But I'm confident I can go a lot faster next time, because I ran the 1500m in the morning. Next time I will be fresh. I'll not have run another race first."
She took silver in the 1500m, knocking eight seconds from her previous best with 4:27.67 behind Nicola Gauld.
McColgan's time was matched by only one under-20 last year, and by only four seniors.
"I was really delighted with that," she added, "and five minutes before the 'chase I wasn't even going to run it. I'm glad I did."
Her father, Irish-born Peter, who ran the 3k steeplechase for Britain at the 1991 world championships, joked that his daughter should switch her allegiance to Ireland after the blunder. "Over my dead body!" said Liz.
But one question remains. Why a two kilometre 'chase? The senior distance for women at all major championships is 3000m. Perhaps it is simply to encourage more people to try this brutal developing event.
