Running News Daily

Eilish McColgan Eyes Paula Radcliffe’s British Marathon Record—But Not on Debut

Eilish McColgan, the reigning Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion, is preparing to take on the marathon distance for the first time in April at the London Marathon. While the 34-year-old has her sights set on eventually breaking Paula Radcliffe’s longstanding British marathon record of 2:15:25, she is clear that it won’t happen on her debut.

“It’s so unrealistic to think I’m going to go in and break Paula Radcliffe’s record on my first attempt,” McColgan admitted. “That’s nonsense. It just isn’t going to happen. But do I think I’m capable of getting down to those times in the future? Absolutely. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I was. But I’m playing more of a long game, and just taking things month by month and year by year rather than trying to rush things.”

For McColgan, this marathon debut has been a long time coming. She originally planned to run London in 2023, but injuries forced her to withdraw. In hindsight, she believes that rushing her marathon training contributed to the issues that kept her sidelined for nearly six months.

Now, with a more structured approach, she sees this as the start of a new chapter in her career. The transition from elite track racing to the marathon is a challenge that many great distance runners have taken on, and McColgan is determined to build gradually rather than force a record-breaking performance too soon.

A Running Legacy

McColgan’s marathon ambitions are deeply rooted in her family history. Her mother, Liz McColgan, was a world champion over 10,000m in 1991 and a London Marathon winner in 1996. Throughout her career, Liz McColgan was known for her incredible endurance and grit—qualities that Eilish has clearly inherited.

Having her mother as a mentor has been invaluable. Liz has guided Eilish through her development as a long-distance runner, offering both coaching insights and first-hand experience of what it takes to succeed over 26.2 miles. While Eilish has carved out her own path in the sport, her mother’s legacy as a champion marathoner serves as both an inspiration and a benchmark.

“It’s a totally different challenge,” McColgan said. “The marathon is so much more about patience and experience. Having my mum’s advice has been really helpful, especially after last year when I probably rushed into things too quickly. Now, I feel like I’m approaching it the right way.”

Building Toward the Record

Before injury struck, McColgan was in the best shape of her career. She had just shattered Radcliffe’s 21-year-old British 10,000m record and had lowered her own British half marathon mark in Berlin. These performances suggested that she was well on her way to transitioning into the marathon successfully.

Now, after months of careful rebuilding, she believes she has the foundation needed to complete her first 26.2-mile race. But rather than going all-in for a record-breaking debut, McColgan is focused on learning the marathon, understanding the pacing, and building toward future attempts.

“I still think my best years are ahead of me,” she said. “I’ve got a lot more to give in the marathon, but I know I have to respect the distance. This first one is about learning. I want to build from here and put myself in a position to attack fast times in the future.”

While Radcliffe’s 2:15:25 remains one of the most iconic marathon performances in history, McColgan believes that with time, experience, and the right training, she can one day challenge that mark.

For now, her London debut is just the beginning of that journey. With her mother’s guidance, a more measured approach, and a career built on resilience, McColgan is well on her way to becoming Britain’s next great marathoner.