Dundee’s Eilish McColgan makes winning return after five months out

Dundee’s Eilish McColgan has made a brilliant return to competitive running, winning The Big Half in London after spending five months on the sidelines through injury.

The 35-year-old claimed victory over the 13.1-mile course on Sunday, marking a hugely positive comeback after what has been a difficult few months for the Dundonian athlete.

McColgan fractured a toe while competing in the London Marathon back in April, where she remarkably managed to finish seventh despite suffering the injury during the race.

The setback ultimately ruled her out of this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, meaning she was unable to defend the 10,000m title she famously won four years earlier in Birmingham.

After several months away from competition, McColgan only returned to running and training in recent weeks, making her performance in London all the more impressive.

She crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 54 seconds, finishing more than a minute ahead of Jessica Warner-Judd to comfortably secure the victory.

It is also becoming a particularly successful event for McColgan, with Sunday’s result marking an incredible fourth victory at The Big Half.

Speaking after the race, McColgan admitted she had not even completed the full half-marathon distance during training ahead of her return.

She also explained that there had understandably been some nerves surrounding the toe injury, leading her to take things carefully during the early stages before attacking the second half of the race.

For one of Dundee’s most successful sporting stars, the victory is an encouraging first step back after an incredibly frustrating summer.

And after five months away from competitive action, it is fantastic to see Eilish back doing what she does best - winning races.