Liz Lynch grew up on the Whitield estate in Dundee, known for its poverty, gangs and high unemployment. It was her PE teacher, Mr Kearns, who spotted that running might help this fearless, deiant, competitive 12 year old. He encouraged Liz to attend the local athletics club, Hawkhill Harriers, where coach Harry Bennett quickly realised her potential.
It was the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh that made the world take notice. Liz lined up for the irst ever women’s Commonwealth Games 10,000m race. She inished almost 12 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, winning the host nation’s irst gold medal of the games and bringing Scotland to its feet.