GEMMA Steel, the reigning European cross country champion over 10k, hopes to soak up some tips from the best at today's Great Scottish Run as she endeavours to re-invent herself as a runner capable of competing for world class medals in the marathon. The 29-year-old from Leicester will be on the start line for the half marathon event in Glasgow today in the company of Edna Kiplagat, the Kenyan who is twice a world champion over 26.2 miles, while coach John Nuttall and his wife Liz McColgan watch on from the sidelines. McColgan, of course, moved up from the 10k to become a world class marathon runner later on in a storied career and appears determined that Steeel should do likewise.
"I think I’m getting to that stage now," said Steel. "I really enjoy events like these but the next level for me will be moving more towards the championship events. This is a great platform for me because I’m racing against the likes of Edna Kiplagat, who has won two world gold medals. Obviously at the back end of this year comes the European Cross Country and I want to try and defend my title there. Then the big question is whether I go for the marathon or the 10,000 metres. Liz has said right from the start that the marathon wins. She’s said from the start that I’m daft if I don’t do it and that basically I’ve got to get into gear and just go for it."
The next generation of cross country talent includes Rhona Auckland, the 22-year-old from Aberdeenshire who won gold at the European Under-23 championships. Having been in close proximity to Auckland, Steel can't fail to be impressed.
"I shared a room with her at the world cross country championships and, though she said she was learning from me, I think I was learning from her really," said Steel. "She was so disciplined in her preparations and I just think that’s the sort of mindset you have to have on the track. You have to be meticulous and I saw that in Rhona. I was really impressed with how mature she is for her age – she’s very sensible and I think that can bode well for the future."
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