EILISH McCOLGAN revealed the extent of her gruesome foot injury after it “exploded” during the London Marathon.
The British runner, 35, crossed the line in the on Sunday.
Eilish McColgan suffered a gruesome foot injury during the London Marathon Credit: Getty
She needed intense treatment to manage her body before the race Credit: Instagram / @eilishmccolgan
Her toe ‘exploded’ midway through the race Credit: EPA
The skin on her fourth toe came off and blood poured out Credit: eilishmccolgan/Instagram
That was good enough for an – and just 26 seconds off her 2025 PB.
However, her achievement was all the more remarkable given the state of her foot – and shoe.
Pictures from the race showed her white .
And McColgan – daughter of British running legend Liz – took to Instagram to reveal more details, and photos, of her injury.
The most graphic image showed the sole of her right foot with the skin detached from the bottom of her fourth toe.
The skin sat on a tissue while the toe was clearly red raw from bleeding, with dried blood across her other toes.
Another photo revealed the state of her blood-drenched sock and shoe at the end of the race while it was also revealed was battling both a foot niggle and a tweaked glute muscle.
And that meant she needed to ice both areas in the weeks leading up to the event.
She also posted a message to deny suggestions about what may have caused the awful, bloody issue.
Dundee’s McColgan, the 10,000m gold medalist, wrote: “Ooft! Sore body this morning! (ps this first pic was actually three weeks ago during final prep…)
“My last three weeks have been challenging to say the least… from a foot niggle, to tweaking my glute ten days out, to waking up a few days before race day covered in a purple rash.
“Why is it SO hard to make a marathon start line!?
“I’ve seen a bit of misinformation online regarding my foot so thought I’d clear it up:
- They weren’t new shoes or socks. I’ve worn them all year for my training and racing with zero issues.
- They aren’t too small and my toenails are totally fine. Part of my toe was ripped open and we aren’t sure why it happened as it’s never been an issue before.
“The only thing we can think of is that maybe my feet were swollen?!
“Even the day before the marathon, the rash had spread down to my calves.
“We still don’t know what it was.. as it would come and go throughout the day! But we think that perhaps played a part…
“Anyways, proud of another marathon finish! And THANK YOU for all the cheers around the course. It was insane and genuinely got me through to the finish line!”
The Monday morning post sparked plenty of supportive comments in the replies.
One said: “Nothing but respect to you!!”
Another wrote: “That last pic needs to come with a warning! Still the biggest warrior in a race! Well done Eilish.”
And a third added: “How you finished in that time… with that foot??! You are awesome. Be really proud.”
McColgan went to see the doctor immediately after battling all the way to the finish line.
Speaking on Sunday, she said: “Just not long after halfway, I had a really, really bad blister in my foot. It sounds strange saying it, but the only way I can say it is I felt like my foot just exploded.
“I just had this massive tear and I thought, what the hell is that? It was obviously pretty sore, but for it to happen quite early on, it panicked me a little bit.
“I couldn’t feel pressure through my foot. It’s a long way to make it to 26.2.
“I was just covered in blood.
“I had to go to see the doctor after the race, I just couldn’t put any pressure through my foot. And it was just totally covered in blood.
“It’s just frustrating.”
McColgan’s sock was in a brutal state Credit: eilishmccolgan/Instagram
She woke up on race day with a purple rash Credit: Instagram / @eilishmccolgan
McColgan crossed the line in 2:24.51 Credit: PA
She immediately went to see the doctor Credit: PA
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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