Eilish McColgan is no stranger to iconic moments. A multiple-time Olympian, Commonwealth Games champion, and one of Britain’s most beloved distance runners, she’s made her mark on the track with fearless front-running and a deep connection to her fans. But 2025 marks a new chapter in her career one that stretches beyond the 5K and 10K oval and onto the legendary streets of the London Marathon.
A New Distance, A New Challenge
Eilish was originally set to debut in the marathon in 2023, but after undergoing knee surgery and missing the better part of a year, everything changed.
“We were starting from scratch,” she explained. “Zero running for six months. It takes a long time you have to be patient.”
The comeback wasn’t easy. As a full-time professional athlete with major races on the horizon, being sidelined was more than just physically tough it was mentally and emotionally taxing, too.
That’s when the LEVER system became a key part of her return to running.
How LEVER Helped Her Rebuild
Designed to reduce impact while allowing runners to maintain natural movement, LEVER gave Eilish the opportunity to reintroduce running in a safe, structured, and gradual way.
“The LEVER was really important for me to gradually build up my training sensibly,” she said. “Week by week, I could add in a little more running without the added impact.”
As she worked her way back from injury, Eilish used LEVER to stay moving first as a bridge between physical therapy and outdoor running, and eventually as a regular part of her full-time training schedule.
“Even now, in full fitness, it’s still a key part of my program,” she said. “Instead of cross-training on the bike or elliptical, I get to actually run. There’s nothing quite like it even mentally, it makes a big difference.”
LEVER and Marathon Training
Preparing for a marathon is a different kind of challenge. It’s not just about running far it’s about sustaining high mileage, managing recovery, and adapting your body to new levels of fatigue and fueling.
For Eilish, two things changed during marathon prep: volume and fueling.
“Everything is just extended longer tempos, longer runs, longer intervals. I’m so used to 5Ks, 10Ks, even halves. This is a whole different level.”
“And fueling that’s been a huge adjustment. You can’t just have a big breakfast and go race. When you’re running two-plus hours, getting it right matters.”
To manage the training load, Eilish uses the LEVER system every third day as an “offload day,” helping her maintain high volume without breaking down.
“I’ll run around 75–80% body weight on those days, anywhere from 4 to 8 miles. It just helps my legs feel better, so I can go harder the next day in key sessions.”
A Home Race Like No Other
Now, after months of smart training and a methodical build-up, Eilish is ready to race.
And she’s doing it in the most iconic way possible — with her marathon debut at the London Marathon on Sunday, April 27th, in front of a home crowd.
“There’s just this real buzz around the London Marathon. Being a British athlete in the capital there’s nothing else like it. People cheering from start to finish… I’m just going to use all of that energy to get through the 26.2 miles.”
Off the Track: Music, Mindset & Marathons
We couldn’t resist asking Eilish a few fun questions as she prepped for race day:
🎶 Go-to song for the final stretch of the marathon?
“Old-school Kendrick Lamar — Don’t Kill My Vibe. I just want to zone in, not focus on anyone else, and get to the finish line.”
Favorite type of workout?
“I still love track workouts. That feeling of running fast — I’ve been able to keep that in my marathon training too, just extended a bit. I’ve gone from mile reps to 3K or 5K reps now, which is a challenge, but I love it.”
📢 Most misunderstood thing about pro marathon training?
“People think we’re doing 20-mile runs every week for a decade! But 5K and marathon training are totally different. Even as a pro, I’m starting from the same place as everyone else — building up mileage, getting stronger, and gaining confidence in the distance.”
What’s Next?
On Sunday, April 27th, Eilish McColgan will step to the line for her first marathon. After months of setbacks, smart training, and relentless resilience — she’s ready.
“This comeback isn’t just about getting back it’s about going further.”
And from recovery runs to race prep, LEVER has been there every step of the way.
💡 Want to Train Like Eilish?
Whether you're returning from injury, building volume for your next race, or just trying to stay consistent — LEVER gives you the ability to train smart and reduce impact.
➡️ Explore the LEVER Systems → https://levermovement.com/products/lever-package
