Born Elizabeth Lynch,[REF] she grew up in the Whitfield area of Dundee[REF] and was a pupil of St Saviour's RC High School.
She joined her local athletics club, the Hawkhill Harriers, at age 12 at the advice of her PE teacher Phil Kearns[REF][REF] Coached by Harry Bennett, she soon discovered a talent for distance running and won her first UK titles at the age of 18 [REF].