Who is Liz McColgan? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Elizabeth Nuttall

Age: 60 Years, 60 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: John Nuttall (m. 2014), Peter McColgan (m. 1987–2013)

father: Martin Lynch

mother: Elizabeth Lynch

children: Eamonn McColgan, Eilish McColgan, Kieran McColgan, Martin McColgan, Orla McColgan

Born Country: Scotland

Athletes Scottish Women

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Females

City: Dundee, Scotland

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Career

In 1986, Liz McColgan competed at the 1986 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh and won the gold medal in the 10,000 metres, giving the host nation its only gold medal in athletics. Earlier that year, she had won the NCAA National Championship in the mile run. In 1987, McColgan emerged as a silver medalist at the World Cross Country Championships, where she represented Scotland. Also that year, she competed in the World Championships in Rome and finished in the fifth place, improving the UK 10,000 meter record to 31:19.82.

In July 1988, she further improved her UK record with a time of 31:06.99 when she defeated fellow athlete Kristiansen in Oslo. Three months later, she won an Olympic silver medal in the 10,000 metres at Seoul Olympics. McColgan was beaten to the first spot by Olga Bondarenko of Soviet Union. The following year, she was the silver medalist at the 3,000 metres at the World Indoor Championships. In January 1990, the runner once again took the gold at the 10,000 metres at the Commonwealth Games, becoming the only Scottish athlete to defend a Commonwealth title during that year.

Following a maternity break after delivering daughter Eilish in 1990, McColgan returned to the track and went on to compete in the 1991 World Cross Country Championships, winning a bronze medal. In August that year, she once again took a gold medal in the 10,000 metres from her win at the World Championships held in Tokyo, Japan. In November that year, McColgan participated at her first ever marathon at the New York City Marathon and even went on to win it. From her win, she broke the record for a debut marathon by 3 minutes.

In August 1992, the British athlete finished at the fifth place during the 10,000 metres final race at the Barcelona Olympics. In September that year, she won the title at the inaugural World Half Marathon Championship. She then went on to win Tokyo International Women's Marathon.

McColgan competed in the 1995 World Championships, finishing sixth in the 10,000 meters. The following year, she won the London Marathon. In the 1997 and 1998 London Marathons, she finished at the second place, running her best time of 2:26:52 in 1997.

McColgan retired from competing in 2001 after suffering a fracture. She, however, returned in the year 2004 to win the gold at the Scottish Indoor Championships 3000 metres. In 2007, she participated in the London Marathon, eventually finishing 25th. Three years later, she completed in the 2010 New York Marathon. In 2017, McColgan completed the Stirling Scottish Marathon in a time of 3:18:32.

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Family & Personal Life

Liz McColgan was born as Elizabeth Lynch on 24 May 1964 in Dundee, Scotland. She studied at St Saviour's RC High School. In 1987, she married Peter McColgan, a well-known Northern Irish athlete and had five kids with him: Eilish, Eamonn, Martin, Kieran and Orla. According to Liz, it was an abusive marriage and Peter was very controlling. The couple finally got divorced in 2013. McColgan later married John Nuttall, a coach.

Liz McColgan was initially coached by Harry Bennett. Following his death, she self-coached herself for the 1986 Commonwealth Games. From 1987 to 1989 she was coached by John Anderson after which she self-coached herself for the London, Tokyo and New York marathons as well as for the 1991 World Championships. McColgan was then coached by Grete Waitz from 1992 to her retirement in 1996.

Liz McColgan Biography