Eilish McColgan has revealed her frustration after starting 2021 with a victory – only to have her time ruled invalid when course marshals sent her the wrong way.

The Dundonian, 30, easily won the SuperSports 10km in Dubai by over eight minutes in a personal best of 31 minutes and eight seconds.

But it was discovered that the Olympic finalist was directed onto part of the half-marathon course  - with the timing equipment no longer considered legal, even though she ran the correct distance.

“We all finished our 10km in the middle of nowhere,” she said. “Bit frustrating, but I'm proud to have put in a solo effort from the gun. And despite asking eight different marshals from 4K in, if I was going the right way, I still came away with a big PB of 31.08.

“Annoying to know it won't be classed as an official PB. But hey ho, there's a lot more going on in the world right now. Hopefully I'll get another race soon as I know there's a bit more in the tank. Sub-31 has always been my main goal for the year so we're off to a good start.”

McColgan is set to target a spot in the 10,000 metres at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.