Runtalk

Eilish McColgan on the track

Running in the family

Some of the undoubted stars of the current athletics scene are the Ingebrigsten brothers. The Norwegian trio of Henrik, Filip and Jakob have all won European 1500m gold - a remarkable and unique family achievement. Coached by father Gjert – naturally – they are a medal winning machine with a smile.

Youngest sibling Jakob took home gold and silver from the weekend’s European Indoor in Glasgow, whilst eldest sibling Henrik added to the family coffers with a further bronze. Sporting bloodlines have become a strong theme of some of the stars of modern day athletics - arguably more so than ever before.

The Borlees from Belgium are another remarkable family. The three brothers Jonathan, Kevin (twins) and Dylan formed three-quarters of the winning Belgian 4x400m team at the European Indoors. Now retired elder sister Olivia was also a top-drawer sprinter with Olympic and World relay medals to her name. All told, they possess an incredible 33 medals at World and European level, all under the guidance of coach Jacques.

British athletics has also benefitted from championship DNA. Current stars of the Scottish and UK distance running scene Eilish McColgan, Jake Wightman and Lynsey Sharp all come from winning stock.

European medallist McColgan is the daughter of former World 10,000m champion and London Marathon winner Liz.

Her father Peter is also a former Olympic runner. European and Commonwealth medallist Jake Wightman is the son of former international marathon runners Geoff Wightman and Susan Tooby. Also nephew to Susan’s twin sister Anne, herself a World Cross Country silver medallist.

Lynsey Sharp, a European and Commonwealth 800m medallist, is daughter to fellow 800m international Carol and European 100m medallist Cameron. It all makes you wonder what will become of Mo Farah’s twins in the coming years!

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