Eilish McColgan’s dad left in tears as he watched her win Commonwealth gold

Runner Eilish McColgan’s dad was left in tears as he watched from the crowd as she won gold in the Commonwealth Games 10,000m.

Team Scotland’s Eilish was crowned winner following a stunning last lap in the closing stages of the long-distance event in Birmingham last week.

The runner raced to victory in 30min 48.60 seconds after blowing away her Kenyan rival Irine Cheptai in the home straight at Alexander Stadium.

The win meant the 31-year-old, who is the daughter of athletics great Liz McColgan, emulated her mother’s success in 1986 and 1990.

Dad Peter McColgan was also an athlete and represented Northern Ireland in the steeplechase at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

He says he was overcome with emotion as he proudly watched Eilish cross the finish line.

Peter, 59, of Carnoustie, Angus, said: “My initial thoughts were that she could possibly get a bronze medal. However as the race progressed, I was definitely thinking she could win a silver.

“But I was astounded at her getting gold, because her Kenyan rival is no slouch.

“As soon as she crossed the line, I put my head down to my knees and cried like a baby.

“I was full of overwhelming emotion, simply because Eilish finally had something tangible to show for all the hard work and heartache over the past 15 years.

“It was great being able to hug Eilish during her lap of honour and spend a few hours the next day with her.

“Even now, we’re all still struggling to actually accept what she’s achieved. It is something I will never ever forget.”

Speaking after the race, Eilish said: “My family were here, the crowd on that last 100m, well it was vibrating through my own body.”

It was the athlete’s fourth race at a Commonwealth Games going back to her first attempt at Delhi in 2010.

Eilish managed to make history while only being clear of injury for four days.

The runner has suffered injuries and illness throughout a rollercoaster career including a recent hamstring problem which sent searing pain shooting through her leg just ahead of the Birmingham sporting event.

Team Scotland is made up of 260 competitors from across the country, with the team comprising of 126 men and 134 women at the 22nd Games.

Athletes are competing for medals in 18 sports at the games, including seven para sports: athletics, basketball, cycling, powerlifting, swimming, triathlon and lawn bowls.

Eilish is the Scottish record holder for the 10,000m after breaking her mother Liz’s record.

In May she also broke Paula Radcliffe’s 19-year-old European and British 10,000m record in the Great Manchester Run.

Eilish is set to take on the 5,000m in the women’s final which takes place tonight at 7.45pm.

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