Eilish McColgan sets new British record after being “floored” by Covid

The Scottish athlete broke her own 5k record in Malaga after battling back from a bout of Coronavirus

Eilish McColgan crosses the line at the Asics META: Time: Trials

Eilish McColgan set a new British 5k record just weeks after recovering from Covid at the Asics META: Time: Trials event this weekend.

The Scottish athlete, 31, broke her own record set in the UAE back in February to post a time of 14:45 in Malaga, Spain on Sunday.

It’s a remarkable achievement from McColgan, who was laid up with Coronavirus only weeks ago.

She said: “The start of March I caught Covid and I was surprised how it floored me. I thought I was young and healthy enough but felt fine day to day after about two weeks.

“My running took a good chunk of time – I would say a month after it. The last 10 days after I started to feel better in training and I thought this would be a good one to start on the roads. There’s less pressure compared to the track in terms of times but we had a go and I’m really happy with that.”

McColgan was among 70 Asics athletes who took part, with four national records and 27 personal bests achieved.

“It was a lot of fun,” she added. “When we arrived it was torrential rain so I feel like I brought the Scottish weather with me! Today was beautiful and [the weather] couldn’t have been any more perfect.

“The big long straights, I wish we had more of them. I struggled a little bit at the top – I’m like a giraffe going round those corners – but I felt like I got good speed and momentum coming back down the straight. I’m happy and can’t ask for any more than that.”






McColgan battled back from a bout of Covid to post the record time

McColgan, who achieved her latest record wearing the new Asics METASPEED™+ shoes, will now turn her attentions to the Vitality 10,000 in London on Bank Holiday Monday, where Mo Farah will also be in action.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to getting out there and racing again at an event that I really love. I’ve been working hard to get back into shape following my injury last summer.

“I have great memories of the event. I have won it seven times and racing in central London is something you can never get bored of. The atmosphere among the thousands of participants is always fantastic and I can’t wait to be part of it again.”

The METASPEED™ + series is available online and at selected retail partners from June 14 2022.

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