TRIPLE TRIUMPH :

The brillaint career of Liz McColgan can be broken into three parts, her glory at the Comonwealth Games in her own country of Scotland, her superb World Champion triumph in Tokyo and her ability to then adapt that track regime to the roads.  All three were memorable beacause of the drama that liz brought to the event.  Her refusal not to let anyone pass her on her way to the GOLD.

As LIz Lynch she won the Commonwealth Games 10000 meters title in Edinburgh amid patriotic scenes  and in 1991  her front running performance to win World title was mesmerising, then to be able to transform that ability to make a record breaking marathon debut.  When at her peak she was unstoppable.

LYNCH LEADS THE WAY

When the comonwealth Games reurned to Edinburgh in1986 the womens 10000 meters was introduced as a new event for women.  It was a ready made stage for the Dundee athlete who had already started to make her steps towards world class by winning the NCAA indoor mile, whilst attending the University of Alabama.  Typically scottish weather for the championships, winds and rain.  Liz brought emotion to the occasion with a tremendous and emphatic win.  What made her stand out and it remained such a glorious trait through out her career was the bloody mindedness to dominate races how she wanted.  If the rest of the field wanted to follow, they knew they would be in for a tough afternoon as the  best commonwealth long distance women discovered.  Cheered on by a packed crowd at medowbank stadium, with the white and blue flags of scotland  waving,turning the event into a spectacular colourful occasion.   Liz ran away to victory in 31.41.42, a  british record and a triumph of nearly 12 seconds ahead of Anne Audain from New Zealand.  It was the  first of four times  that Liz would break the british record for the 10000 meters. Her lap of honour was something to behold, as Scotland celebrated their only track and field winner of the entire games.

Liz went on to smash her bests at all distances from 800 meters to 10000 meters.  In 1987 liz led a successfull campaign on the roads, smashing world records best for 5K, 8K and 10k.  Liz went on to take the silver in the 10000 meters at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988. Liz also showed her  strength again  by setting a world record in Orlando Florida  for the 10k on the roads, then a week later won the silver medal in  the 5000m  at the World indoor championships in Budapest.  LIz went on to retain her commonwealth games tiltle over 10000m in 1990 as well as a bronze medal in the 3000meters in New Zealand.

But the best was yet to come

BABY WHAT A RUN

In 1990 Liz gave birth to her first child a daughter Eilish. Only 11weeks after the birth she won a bronze medal at the world x country championships.  She showed  no signs that motherhood had affected her physical build or mental strength.  The following August 9 months after having her first child Liz became world champion in the 10000m on a hot and humid night in Tokyo.  It was said to be the greatest ever distance performance from a british runner at that time. An astonishing show of front running in the harshest of conditions. Liz took to the stage to show she was the best in the world and to take the Gold medal fromsome oof the best distance runners in the world.

That same year liz was named BBC sports personality of the year, and with a bold new step and only eight weeks training she moved to the marathon and won the New York marathon in the fastest time ever by a debut marathoner, which would signal the final part of her career.

THE ROADS AHEAD

The marathon had always been the long term aim for Liz, winning London marathon in 1996, 2nd in 1997 ,2nd in 1998  and  3rd in 1993.   won New York Marathon 1990, and Tokyo marathon in 1993.  Liz set world records for 5k,8k,10, on the roads, the half marathon and 5000 meters indoors, these records stood the testement of time as were held for 10-12years.

Liz retired in 1998 the gave back to the sport she loved by getting into grassroots coaching.  LIz was also chair of Scottish athletics for two years

Liz has now relocated to Doha and is set to pass on her vast experience to the next generation here in Doha.

Awards:

• 1990 BBC Sports Personality of the Year
• 1990 Member of the Brittish Empire
• Freedom of the city of Tuscaloosa (awarded by Ronald Reegan)
• 1991 World Athlete of the Year