Multiple European medallist Eilish McColgan took a record-equalling third victory at the Vitality London 10,000 on Sunday (28), winning in a gun-to-tape 30:35.
On the road to the New York Marathon on 2 November, McColgan was in auspicious form after a recent bout of illness as she matched 2014 European 10,000m champion Jo Pavey’s haul of three victories on an iconic course which finishes in front of Buckingham Palace.
“I am absolutely buzzing with today. I think that was only 10 seconds off my best on this course from three years ago so it is nice to know you can still come back from injury and illness and compete at this level. To match Jo Pavey, who is one of my heroes in this sport, is really special,” said McColgan.
“The New York Marathon is the next big one for me; I’m not sure if I will do a race in between then and now. I did the Great North Run and got sick after that so I wasn't sure how I would feel today, but I am really happy to feel strong and back to full health so hopefully I can push on these next four weeks.”
Behind McColgan, Jessica Warner-Judd - who is also targeting the New York Marathon in November, her debut at the distance - finished second in 31:14 with 2020 Olympic 800m finalist Alex Bell third in a lifetime best of 31:31.
Former European U23 cross country silver medallist Zak Mahamed won the men's race in 29:07.
Elsewhere around Europe…
European 10,000m champion Dominic Lobalu stepped up in distance to win the StraLugano Half Marathon on home soil in Lugano in 61:42 ahead of Kenyans Simon Waithira (61:44) and Shadrack Kenduiywo (61:48).
European half marathon silver medallist Awet Kibrab won the Gruemila 10km in Grue in 28:07 by a clear margin over 2023 world 1500m bronze medallist Narve Gilje Nordas in 29:45. Selma Engdahl won the women’s race in 32:43.
Switzerland’s Michelle Schaub won the NN Warsaw Marathon in 2:33:41 ahead of Poles Emilia Mazek (2:35:36) and Anna Bankowska (2:36:51). Japan’s Ryoma Takeuchi won the men’s race by over four minutes in 2:11:21.
Martin Zajic won the 129th edition of the Bechovice to Prague 10.31km - the oldest continuing road race in Europe - in 30:26. Bara Styblova won the women’s race in 34:17 ahead of 1500m specialist Kristiina Sasinek Maki in 34:33.
2023 European U23 10,000m silver medallist Francesco Guerra won the 5km at the Memorial Bruno Lolli in Bologna in 13:32 for victory over Uganda’s Samuel Simba in 13:34.
Emil Bezecny (30:01) and Julia Mayer (33:07) won the 10km titles at the Austrian 10km Championships in Amstetten, an impressive turnaround for the latter who finished 33rd in hot and humid conditions in the marathon only a fortnight ago at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.