Eilish McColgan upbeat after third place finish at Great North Run

Eilish McColgan believes her third-placed finish in the Great North Run on Sunday is a “good starting point” for upcoming races.

Competing in windy and overcast conditions, the 34-year-old earned a spot on the podium behind Kenyan duo Sheila Chepkirui and Vivian Cheruiyot after finishing the half-marathon in one hour, nine minutes and 42 seconds.

McColgan was ten seconds behind winner Chepkirui, who won the New York Marathon in 2024, and admitted that, while the course was challenging, it has put her in a good position.

“It was tough today. I knew the field was strong – I mean these are the same two women who came first and third in the New York Marathon, so I knew I was going to be up against it today,” McColgan said.

“I found it a little tougher than I would like. Wind in the hills this last mile was great because we had the wind behind, so I was absolutely tearing down the home straight which was nice.

“I’m really pleased. I’m happy, healthy and injury-free, I feel it’s a good starting point now for the rest of the winter.”

This is the second successive Great North Run McColgan has contested and she recorded a slightly quicker time last year with 1hr 7mins 45secs to take fifth.

She entered this year’s race on the back of her London Marathon debut in April and is hoping competing over shorter distances can help her build up to another marathon.

Asked what was next, McColgan said: “I’m going to see how I recover off the back of this, but I think London Vitality 10k will be my next race in about three weeks’ time.

“I’d really like to try and sharpen up a little bit.

“I felt like it was very rushed preparations into then London Marathon, then I took some time off.

“So it would be nice to get a little bit sharper over that 10k distance, then build myself back up to the marathon again.

“I think we’ll come at it a slightly different way. Try and get some speed in the legs again.

“I’m really happy with how I closed today, but still a little bit of work to be done in that middle section and certainly towards the marathon just building up that strength again.”

Kenya’s Alex Mutiso won the men’s race in 1:00.52.

Belgium’s Bashir Abdi finished six seconds back, while last year’s winner Abel Kipchumba of Kenya was third.

Mutiso, who won the 2024 London Marathon, believes victory is the ideal preparation for the New York Marathon in November.

“The race was very good, I was making a debut today and my aim was to finish on the podium,” Mutiso said.

“I was happy when I crossed the line being a winner. It’s good preparation for the New York Marathon.

“The course is very great, we expected windy conditions today and I’m happy I have won.”

Sean Frame won the men’s wheelchair race in 49:24, with fellow Briton Mel Nicholls taking the women’s title in 1:05.24.