British Elite Press Conference
Eilish McColgan has raced in packed-out stadiums on the world stage but ahead of the 2026 TCS London Marathon said nothing compares to the crowd support the British elite athletes will experience on Sunday.
Returning after a gruelling debut last year, McColgan described that race as the toughest of her career and praised the crowds for helping her to reach the Finish Line.
“I've heard so many things about the London Marathon over the years, from my mom [Liz McColgan, who won in 1996], family, friends, who've done it before, and it really just blew all my expectations of any race I've ever done before out the water.
“From start to finish, there's people cheering you every step of the way, and I was saying to Jess [Warner-Judd, who is also racing on Sunday], it’s so much more intimate.
“People are cheering you specifically. When you're on the track, there's a big noise and there's a crowd, like at the Commonwealth Games, I know people are cheering, but they're cheering for everyone, whereas in London, you hear people specifically calling out your name.
“It was the toughest race. I think I've ever done in my life. I didn't even know how I was putting one foot in front of the other after about 20 miles, but I was somehow moving forward.
“Without the crowds I think that would have been a hell of a lot harder.”
Watch the full press conference with Eilish McColgan, Patrick Dever, Jessica Warner-Judd and Phil Sesemann below.
Jessica Warner-Judd said her 26.2-mile debut at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon felt like a fresh start after being diagnosed with epilepsy.
As she prepares to take on her second Abbott World Marathon Major in London, the 31-year-old spoke candidly about stepping away from competitive running following seizures she had while racing on the track, having trauma therapy and rediscovering joy through marathon running.
“It was difficult and, honestly, I didn't think I’d be back running as quickly and there was a period of time where I didn't think I'd run competitively again.
“I had probably about 18 months that were really tough and a whole year of trauma therapy, which wasn't the most fun.
“But I managed to get into a really good place, more mentally, and just happy living life again. And a new life of running and living with epilepsy.
“I got this amazing opportunity to race in New York and sort of gave me a bit of a purpose and it felt like a fresh start and I absolutely loved it and it was just the best experience.
“So, when this opportunity came up, I was so on board and really excited to race again. 26 miles is a long time to like be in your head, but I'm really happy with getting here and actually just being able to race again.”
