Eilish McColgan stripped of 10k record after run course found to be 150m short

Race organisers have apologised after discovering the ‘human error’

Eilish McColgan’s British and European 10k record has been invalidated after organisers of the Great Scottish Run found the course was 150m short. (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

Eilish McColgan has been stripped of her European and British 10km records after the Glasgow course was found to have been 150m short.

Great Scottish Run organisers apologised to McColgan after her records were invalidated after it was found the course was short due to “human error”.

McColgan had finished the race in Glasgow in 30 minutes and 18 seconds on Sunday 2 October. But 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 Ms McColgan directly to explain and apologise, saying there is “no excuse” for the incident and are offering those who took part a 10% discount on entry to the 2023 event..

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

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

Paul Foster - Chief Executive of The Great Run Company

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.