Athletics

Eilish McColgan sees 10k record wiped off after Glasgow course found to be too short

Great Scottish Run organisers apologise after course found to be 150m short

Eilish McColgan has had her European and British 10K records invalidated after it was found the course at the Great Scottish Run was 150m short. Photograph: Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Wed Oct 19 2022 - 15:48

Great Scottish Run organisers have apologised to Scottish runner Eilish McColgan after her European and British records were invalidated after it was found the course was 150 metres short due to “human error”.

McColgan had previously finished the race in Glasgow in 30 minutes and 18 seconds on Sunday, October 2nd.

Organisers of the race, The Great Run Company, say the course was “not laid out in line with the previously agreed plans”.

The company has been in touch with McColgan directly to explain and apologise, saying there is “no excuse” for the incident and are offering those who took part a 10 per cent discount on entry to the 2023 event.

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It was the first time the event had returned since 2019.

Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: “We were recently made aware of a discrepancy with the 10k course at this year’s Great Scottish Run. Following an internal investigation, we have established it was 150m short.

“The shortfall in the distance was wholly due to human error. An area of the course was not laid out in line with the previously agreed plans.

“This error had a marginal knock-on to the half-marathon but it was within tolerance and the course on the day was valid.

“We’re extremely disappointed that this happened at the 10K, on what was an incredibly positive return to the city for the Great Scottish Run following the pandemic.

“We will be reviewing our internal processes to ensure we cannot make this mistake again.

“We know we’ve let our customers down on this occasion. There are no excuses for this happening and we’re very sorry.

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