About
Scottish former long-distance runner, Olympian, and athletics coach known for winning the 10,000-meter world title at the 1991 World Championships, winning an Olympic silver medal in the 10,000 meters at the 1988 Seoul Games, and for winning two Commonwealth Games gold medals. She is also known for eventually becoming a marathon runner and winning the New York City Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, and London Marathon.
Before fame
She began running in 1976 when she was 12 years old after her PE teacher noticed her talent for cross-country and introduced her to Dundee Hawkhill Harriers. She eventually competed in the United States and represented the University of Alabama where she won the NCAA indoor mile title in 1986. She had her first major international breakthrough later that year when she won the 10,000 meters at the 1986 Commonwealth Games.
Trivia
She was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1991 and was appointed an MBE in 1992 for services to athletics. She won the inaugural World Half Marathon Championship in 1992 and was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
Family life
She was born Elizabeth Lynch. She had five children with Peter McColgan including her daughter Eilish McColgan. She married runner and coach John Nuttall who died in 2023.
Associated with
She competed against Derartu Tulu in the 10,000 meters at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
