Eilish McColgan and Charlotte Purdue will headline the elite women’s field at the Vitality London 10,000, which returns to its iconic course on Monday 2 May for the first time since 2019.

The Vitality London 10,000 is held on one of the most famous 10K courses in the world. Fast and flat, the route starts on The Mall and passes some of London’s most famous landmarks before finishing by Buckingham Palace.

Motivated McColgan gears up for her debut

This will be three-time Olympian McColgan’s debut at the event. She has been in incredible form on the roads recently, setting a European women’s-only 10km record last September when she won the Great Manchester Run in 30:52. The time was just 31 seconds off Paula Radcliffe’s European and British record of 30:21 set in 2003.

McColgan has continued that form in 2022 and in February moved past Radcliffe in the British all-time rankings for the half-marathon when she ran 66:26 at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon. The Scot, who won a silver medal over 5000m on the track at the 2018 European Championships, also ran the second-fastest 5km time ever by a British woman this year, clocking 14:48 in Dubai.

McColgan said: “I’ve been really pleased with my form on the roads this year and I’m looking forward to taking part in the Vitality London 10,000 for the first time. It’s going to be a really good opportunity for me to test myself over a fast 10km course and against good competition, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Purdue prepares for a powerful performance  

Marathon star Purdue will return to the Vitality London 10,000 in between racing in the US at the Boston Marathon on April 18 and the 2022 World Athletics Championships marathon in Oregon on July 18.

Purdue ran the fourth-fastest time by a British woman ever over the marathon distance at the 2021 London Marathon when she was the first Brit to finish, crossing the line in 2:23:26.

She last ran the Vitality London 10,000 in 2017, when she finished third, and has a 10km personal best of 32:10 set in 2012.

Purdue said: “I always love racing in London so I can’t wait to return to the Vitality London 10,000. It’s fantastic that the event is back on its famous course again and I’m sure it will be a fast, hard race. It’s going to be a great indicator for me of how well I’ve recovered from the Boston Marathon as I begin my preparations for the World Championships marathon in Oregon.”