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Issue 3

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2016

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Olympics 2016

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Issue 3

PB2016 04 Contacts scottishathletics 05 Interim Chief Executive Mark Munro 06 News

10 Manchester International 11 Age Group Champs: Grangemouth 12 British Champs: Birmingham 14 Euro Champs: Amsterdam 16 Rio Special 20 Rio: #SALfab15 23 Stef Reid - London 2017 24 Paralympics

in this i

08 Senior &Para Champs: Grangemouth

26 Grassroots: Inverclyde AC 28 Grassroots: Kirkintilloch Olympians 29 Grassroots: Banchory Stonehaven 30 Kilmarnock Harriers - Open XC 32 Grassroots: VP Glasgow 34 Education: Food on the Run- Freya Ross 36 Euro Youths 37 World Juniors 38 Education: Coaching Conference

The ofďŹ cial magazine for members of scottishathletics www.scottishathletics.org.uk

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Chief Executive Mark Munro Interim Chief Executive Scottish Athletics

@SALDevelopment

‘We must keep creating right platform for elite’

t has been a thrilling summer for athletics at home and abroad and as I sit down to write this piece Laura Muir has just obliterated the British 1500m record again with her 3m55sec clocking in Paris, and it’s certainly fair to say that a massive sense of pride has been engendered by that huge Scottish presence at the Olympics in Rio. The profile and successes of those athletes will impact on the next generation of athletes coming through for years to come. Scotland’s Olympians - It is probably a good point to start. The 15-strong representation within Team GB was the biggest at an Olympics for 108 years. In my view, the results speak for themselves; five track and field athletes reached finals, Callum Hawkins produced one of the best GB marathon performances for years, we also witnessed two national records from Lynsey Sharp and Andy Butchart, and a bronze medal from Eilidh Doyle, the first Scottish medal since 1988. This is a significant improvement from 2012 when Scotland had five athletes selected but unfortunately no finalists. It is only right at this point that we fully recognise and take the time to thank the personal coaches involved with those 15 athletes – if the athletes are putting in 25 hours + per week of training, the coach is dedicating at least 40+, this dedication and commitment is often taken for granted but the role is crucial, thank you. We should also recognise the coaching chain of those athletes from their starting point in grassroots athletics, as well as the role of their clubs. The environment has to be right to retain athletes in the sport and again, anyone who has positively influenced those athletes over the last 20 years should also be congratulated. In addition to the Olympics, we have also seen European Championship medals for Steph Twell and Eilidh Doyle, two British Records for Laura Muir, Scottish senior

records this season for Nick Percy, Eilidh Doyle, Andy Butchart and Lynsey Sharp. Not to be outdone, our Paralympians have already set a host of Scottish, European and World Records this summer already and we wish them all the best in Rio, and our Mountain racers continue blaze a trail at European and World Level, quite remarkable. Domestically, the work continues – 52 weeks a year – to create the kind of platform and pathway which allows Scottish athletes to reach elite level or be the best they can be. The summer championships have once again seen an increase in numbers and all athletes, coaches and clubs should be congratulated for that growth. As part of the review process, we will reflect on all events and strive to improve them again for future years. I would personally like to thank the Commissions for their ongoing support and that key involvement is delivering a fine national events programme. I would also like to thank the army of officials who continue to dedicate their lives to athletics events in Scotland – we salute you all. For club leaders and coaches there is a very busy Autumn period coming up. The National Coaching Conference takes place at Emirates Arena on September 24/25. Once again, the weekend caters for Scottish coaches across all levels of the sport and the line-up of guest coaches looks fantastic (credit to Darren Ritchie who is leading on this project). This conference takes place the same day as the AGM. The National Club Leaders’ Conference will be on October 29 at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow (9.30am – 3.30pm). The National Club Managers are compiling a comprehensive line-up once again, including nine clubs presenting on good practice sharing.

Other recent developments include; the launch of the National Club Guide for Clubs which is a summary of all support projects and opportunities for athletics clubs in Scotland. We have also created the ﬁrst Scottish (possibly UK) NGB National Club Leaders’ Academy has just commenced with 23 individuals registered for the year-long programme which has also gained accreditation from the Institute of Leadership and Management. Finally, athletics is literally non-stop and the winter season is fast approaching. Well done to those involved in a hugely successful summer and good luck to those embarking on their autumn and winter seasons. ************************************* As an update, we are becoming increasingly aware of a number of road events (and some off-road) that are being affected by the new regulations and charges being imposed by Police Scotland and local authorities across Scotland. scottishathletics are very keen to support clubs and event organisers both locally and nationally and we are in the process of taking soundings from those involved with event delivery. We are currently in discussions with appropriate partners (Event Scotland, Visit Scotland, The National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) Scotland and the Events and Festivals Industry Group (EFIG)) and Police Scotland regarding this matter and will update clubs and event organisers accordingly. Any clubs or event organisers immediately affected by any of these challenges should be encouraged to contact us as we look to support those clubs affected whilst trying to protect those clubs who may be affected in the future.

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NEWS

Join Derek Redmond at Annual Awards

ritish sprint legend Derek Redmond will be ‘Guest of Honour’ at the scottishathletics and jogscotland Annual Awards later this year. It promises to be one of the highlights of the calendar as the sport gathers to honour Olympians and Paralympians – as well as the clubs, coaches, volunteers and officials who make such a vital contribution. The Hilton Hotel in Glasgow will again be the venue for the event, with the date for diaries being Saturday 29 October. Tickets will be £40 per person and are available now via our website. Redmond won gold with GB’s 4 x 400m team at the World Champs and European Champs but is perhaps best remembered for limping around the track to ensure he crossed the finish-line in Barcelona with his father, Jim, after suffering a serious hamstring tear during the 400m semi-final at the 1992 Olympics. Now Derek is eagerly anticipating his autumn visit to Glasgow – and expects the Scottish ‘Athlete of the Year’ award to be keenly-contested with the 15 athletes in Rio ensuring the biggest representation in 108-years of Olympic history. Six more are at the Parlaympics (as PB went to publication).

‘I am delighted to be coming to the scottishathletics and jogscotland Annual Dinner in October as ‘Guest of Honour’ and it promises to be a fantastic occasion,’ said Derek. ‘I think the size of the Scottish contingent in Team GB and NI for the Olympics has impressed everyone in athletics in Britain – I understand it is the biggest representation in more than 100 years and that’s really quite something for the sport there. The Annual Dinner will be a great opportunity to honour the Olympians, and Paralympians, but it is not just about the elite – although I do have to say your ‘Athlete of the Year’ could be quite a contest! ‘But it is also very much about coaches, clubs, volunteers and ofﬁcials and acknowledging the huge contribution they make on a weekly basis to athletics in Scotland. ‘I am really looking forward to being part of that on October 29 and Brian Whittle is a close friend from the sport so there may a

chance for us to swap a few stories from the past, too.’ Derek enjoyed a long and successful athletics career during the 1980s and 1990s which saw him break the British 400m record twice and challenge American dominance of the event. He was a prominent member of the British 4 x 400 metre relay squad that took gold at the 1991 World Championships and the 1986 European Championships. The Barcelona incident was voted the third greatest Olympic moment in history in a poll of viewers of the US broadcaster NBC. Unfortunately, the injury sustained that day was worse than ﬁrst thought and, after seven operations in under two years, he was forced to retire.

*********************************************************************************************************************** Garscube Harriers athlete White won the Wallace (Moorfoot Runners) wo families are celebrating landing five Scotland vests between following Women’s race in 42.54 from Louise Mercer Scotland U20 Men: Logan Rees, Tristan the confirmed selections for the Junior (Edinburgh University) and Halina Rees (Fife Rees (Fife AC); Euan Gillham (Kilbarchan Home Internationals in England later this AC). Katie’s mother, Ann, won W60 gold to AAC); Alasdair Couper (East Sutherland) month. make it a White family double on the day for Garscube Harriers. The Rees brothers Logan, Tristan and Scotland U20 Women: Anisha Badial George from Fife AC will all be involved (Aberdeen AAC); Ailsa Cruickshanks (Fife Mercer collected U20 gold to add to her in the U17 and U20 event at Keswick on AC); Laura Stark (Kilbarchan AAC); Emily silver while Craig Jardine took the Men’s September 17.And the McKenna twins from Nicholson (Pitreavie AAC) U20 gold and led Cambuslang to their team Giffnock North AAC, Lynn and Charlotte, success. The V40 and W40 medals went to ************************************* were automatic picks for the Scotland U17 Stephen Allan (Kirkintilloch Olympians) and Women’s team after finishing 1-2 at the trial Megan Wright (HBT). The U17 champions Marathon endurance proved crucial as Kyle last Sunday at Colsnaur in the Ochils. were Lynn McKenna (Giffnock North AAC) Greig and Katie White savoured victories in and Cody Stevenson (Garcube Harriers). GB international Euan Gillham, who as PB the Scottish Trail Champs. went to press was preparing for the World ************************************* Fife AC once again staged the event at Champs in Bulgaria, has also agreed to Strathmiglo/Falkland with almost 200 race for Scotland U20 Men in the Junior Combined Events athlete Joel McFarlane has Home International - after his own superb athletes on the start-lists for hilly races had a fine summer season and he crowned introduction to hill running at the World through forest trails. that with a gold medal-winning performance trials. at the England Athletics CE Champs. Forres Harriers athlete Greig took the Scotland U17 Men: Tom Munro-White title, coming home in 37.07 to win by 20 The Arbroath and District athlete won the (Inverness Harriers); George Rees (Fife AC); seconds from Shettleston’s Peter Avent. Last U17 decathlon title with a points score of Cameron Corrigan (Kilbarchan AAC); Robert year’s champion, Patryk Gierjatowicz, who 6260 to take gold ahead of Joshua Hewett’s Sparks (Fife AC). ran 2.24 at the London Marathon this year, 6150. Whitemoss athlete Scott Connal took had to settle for bronze. bronze with 6069. Scotland U17 Women: Lynn McKenna, Charlotte McKenna (Giffnock North AAC); Cambuslang Harriers took the Men’s team Holly McArthur won a GB Juniors vest in Grace Whelan (Moray Roadrunners); Mairi golds as they successfully defended their Manchester and she followed that up with title while there was a women’s team win for silver in the U17 heptathlon in Bedford with PB 2016 | ISSUE 3 hosts Fife AC. 4999 points.

Laura lands Commonwealth and British Records

ust 10 days after the Olympic final in Rio, Laura Muir produced one of the finest middle distance performances in the history of the sport in Scotland with a remarkable 1500m run in Paris. Muir clocked 3.55.22 to strip more than two seconds off the British and Scottish Record she had set at the Anniversary Games just prior to the trip to Brazil. This time the victory in France led Laura to a Commonwealth Record, as well, with that Scotland’s first since Yvonne Murray set a 2000m Commonwealth best some 20 years ago. The 3.55.22 broke the broke the Paris meeting record and is a World Lead for the 1500m event for this year and ranked the 23-year-old Scot at No 13 on the world alltime list (as we went to publication). Ahead at the bell and with another characteristically gutsy run, Laura surged again to hold off Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and world indoor champion Sifan Hassan of Netherlands, who clocked

3:56.72 and 3:57.13 respectively, to storm to victory and move to 13th on the world all-time list. ‘The race was amazing,’ said Laura, who clocked a superb sub-60-second last lap and led six athletes to personal best performances only 10 days after finishing seventh in Rio. ‘I couldn’t believe the time, especially since I didn’t do one track session since Rio. I just went with the pacemaker and I knew I had to dig in and hold on during the third lap. I’ll be in Zurich next week to finish my season.’ Mind-blowing. That had been Laura’s apt assessment after claiming the British Record for the first time with a Diamond League win in the Olympic Stadium in London at the Anniversary Games. She ran 3.57.49 that night to win from Hassan and break the British best set by Dame Kelly Holmes some 12 years earlier at the Athens Olympics. Muir, of course, was the Scottish National

Record holder herself from Monaco a year ago (3.58.66) but went faster this time with an imperious run shortly before heading to Rio for her first Olympics. It was a very decent Anniversary Games for the Scottish contingent with Eilish McColgan setting a PB in that same 1500m race – with the fifth best run of all-time – and Jake Wightman performing really well in the Emsley Carr Mile for fourth place, a PB and fourth equal on the Scottish all-time list. Eilish clocked 4.03.74 with Jake at 3.54.20 for the mile. Many congratulations to Laura, her coach Andy Young, her family and all involved in her development from scottishathletics on breaking the British Record. Twice. STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS: Muir became Scotland’s first Diamond Race winner in Switzerland with second place in the 1500m final in Zurich. Laura topped the points table with 40pts as Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon took second on 36pts.

***********************************************************************************************************************

Club Leaders Conference – Book Now When: Saturday 29 October 2016 9.30am – 3.30pm (followed by Annual Awards dinner at same venue) Where: Hilton Hotel, Glasgow Cost: FREE to scottishathletics afﬁliated club members / £50 non-afﬁliated Once again, there will be a strong emphasis on leadership and club management with case studies and best practice sharing being amongst the key focal points for the day. A new addition to this year’s conference will be the mini Club Clinic, where clubs can book in 20-minute slots with GBSport or Alan Fowler from D&A Sport Development, to discuss any pressing issues or areas of interest for the club. This option will be available throughout the day. scottishathletics staff will also be demonstrating some of the latest free software tools that are available to clubs. Full information, including booking details, can be found on our website www.scottishathletics.org.uk or email mark.munro@scottishathletics.org.uk

scottishathletics

Senior and Para Champs

Grangemouth

Allan so keen to make Gold Coast leap

here’s nothing new in the sight of long jumper Allan Hamilton sitting in a sand-pit and issuing an impassioned plea to scottishathletics Officials. Those of us who witnessed it at Livingston one summer afternoon in 2014 still remember how close the Edinburgh AC athlete came to his second Glasgow 2014 qualifying standard inside 24 hours and a place in the team for Hampden. Unfortunately, Hamilton missed out and the memory returned watching him in full beseech mode at the Scottish Senior Champs. This time, he had a lot less to lose as a three jumps in a row were measured at 7.52m – enough to propel him to his first outdoors National Championship gold. Thereafter it was really good to hear Allan is firmly refusing to give up on his dream of Commonwealth Games representation. ‘I missed out on Glasgow 2014 by four centimetres and, yes, of course I remember the last-day comp at Livingston when I was trying to get a second qualifying standard – after getting one in England the day before,’ he recalled. ‘That memory is still driving me on to try and make Australia to be honest. I’ve finished two years at University of New Mexico but I’ve decided to go back there from October to January to get some solid warm weather training in and then see where that can take me after 7.88m earlier this year. ‘My girlfriend is still at Uni, so I will go out there again and come

PB 2016 | ISSUE 3

back for the Indoor Season early in 2017. That’s when I really have to start pushing for Commonwealth Games selection.

Games at Hampden so that was a good achievement. Now I’ve managed it in the Scottish Champs.

‘It would mean everything to me to make the Gold Coast in 2018 after missing out on Glasgow 2014. I’m back being coached with John Scott and Ann, with a little help from my ﬁrst Uni coach in New Mexico.’

‘Hopefully we are putting discus up in lights a wee bit. There are guys coming through at young age groups – George Evans has represented GB and NI already - and Andrew Peck is coming through at U17.’

If Hamilton’s performance was a highlight then Nick Percy landing gold and a Native Record in the discus simply felt like a man fulﬁlling on his promise.

Percy then won the shot putt title with 15.85m to add to a silver on Saturday in the hammer to complete a throws medal hat-trick.

Six weeks earlier, after taking the British Champs gold at Birmingham, Percy was emphatic that he would be at Grangemouth and bid to beat Angus McInroy’s mark (57.28m) from Hampden in 2014. In the end, Nick was beyond that distance three times, with 59.90m his best.

Avril Jackson had won ﬁve Scottish titles prior to 2016 but this time she managed it with a PB of 58.75 in the 400m Hurdles and the Edinburgh AC athlete, who combines work commitments in the capital and Switzerland, also has half an eye now on the Gold Coast (qualifying standard 57.29).

‘The Native Record was something I really wanted so I was delighted to get beyond that distance three times today and claim it as my own,’ said Nebraska-based Percy. ‘It completes the perfect year for me. I’ve won everything I wanted to, including the NCAA and British titles as well as the Scottish title, and I’ve been pushing the boundaries on the Scottish National Records. ‘I like to set myself these challenges but also keep them realistic. I don’t think 64m was likely coming here today but I did want to better that Native Record. Angus set that in a Commonwealth

‘I am pretty shocked by that time today – although I had a feeling there was a sub-59 run in me,’ said Avril, as Pitreavie AAC athlete Jack Lawrie took the men’s 400m race. ‘I’ve worked on my speed this year and I am stronger, too. That’s where the improvement is coming from and I’ve been under 60 a few times this season. ‘To be honest, the Commonwealth Games was not even in my head until a few weeks ago. The standard

Grangemouth

Senior and Para Champs

looked a bit away but it is getting closer now and it is maybe something to really go for come 2017.’

said that, it felt good to win and it was deﬁnitely a more comfortable run for me than the Miler Meet at Crownpoint. Louise was in her ﬁrst track 5000m and fair play for her for taking it on the way she did.

Alisha Rees claimed Senior gold at 200m with 23.73 while Mhairi Hendry did well to see off the challenge of Katy Brown in an exciting ﬁnish to the Women’s 800m. Reigning champion Hendry won it in 2.05.24.

‘She opened up a bit of a lead on me at one stage but I realised I was cutting it a little with each lap towards the end. Louise looked back over her shoulder a couple of times and that maybe told me she wasn’t expecting to hang on. Still, it felt good to kick beyond her at the bell and win.’

Commonwealth Games athlete Gillian Cooke is no stranger to the podium on these occasions. After a triple jump silver on Saturday, Cooke followed that up with gold in the long jump with 5.85m – to take her overall Scottish Seniors tally to . . . 32 medals.

Among the familiar names to take titles on day one of the Champs at Grangemouth were the likes of Kirsty Yates in the shot, Greg Millar in the javelin and Chuxx Onyia, with a PB, in the triple jump.

Unattached Irish athlete, Kieran Kelly, just headed Ben Greenwood in the 800m. Falkirk Vics athlete Grant Plenderleith won the 200m in 21.11 on his home track as the 1500m titles went to Mathew White (3.50.34) and Emily Dudgeon (4.24.87). Glasgow 2014 relay runners Zoey Clark and Greg Louden claimed gold in the 400m contests. The men’s was a close ﬁnish, but the Lasswade AAC athlete won it 47.89 from Anthony Young and Patrick Swan. Clark defended the title she won in Aberdeen in 2015 with her winning time this year at 53.67. In the sprint hurdles, John McCall took the Men’s title with 14.71 while Heather Paton won the Women’s in 13.76. Lauren Stoddart of Edinburgh AC won the Women’s steeplechase in 11.00.23 and her club-mate, Aileen Rennie, is Scottish champion in javelin after a best throw of 44.51m. Allan Smith won the Men’s high jump with 2.20m.

Freya on right road It has been a tough couple of years for Olympian and perennial Scottish National XC champion Freya Ross. Missing out on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow hurt badly and her brave qualiﬁcation bid for Rio via the London Marathon this year was hampered by not having quite enough training ‘in the bank’ prior to April.

A couple of visiting athletes took gold in the Women’s hammer and the Men’s 5000m. Commonwealth Games 2014 champion, Sultana Frizell, won the hammer with the Canadian at 63.04. Swansea’s Kristian Jones took the 5000m in 14.20.

So stepping onto the top of the Grangemouth podium to take gold on the track for the ﬁrst time since the summer of 2010 – shortly before appearances in the 5000m and 10,000m in Delhi – meant a lot despite the low-key nature of the Saturday action at the Scottish Senior Champs.

*There were Para throws golds for Jo Butterﬁeld and Graham Condie and it was a day when a fully integrate programme happened – with Rio-bound trio Butterﬁeld, Stef Reid and Maria Lyle all in action.

Ross had conceded a signiﬁcant lead to Edinburgh AC team-mate, Louise Mercer, during the 5000m ﬁnal but then duly reeled in a similar gap and went ahead at the bell to win in 16.56.65.

Maria won her 100m and 200m races and set a Season’s Best in the 200m with 29.72.

‘‘It was nice to win a Scottish title again on the track but I’m still a marathon runner at heart,’ grinned Freya, with the Great North Run and an autumn marathon on the horizon.

‘I enjoyed being here and part of the Scottish Champs,’ said Dunbar teenager Lyle. ‘I don’t race very often in Scotland and it is a good track here at Grangemouth. I am really excited about Rio, of course, because it is my ﬁrst Paralympic and should be an amazing experience.’ Other Para medals went to Nathan Fleetwood and George Lehardy, as Sean Frame won a wheelchair race double over 100m and 400m.

‘Obviously there are some top Scottish endurance athletes in Rio but when you compete in a championship you look to try and win. I think I’ve only one previous 5000m track title and this one certainly does mean something after all the injury issues that I’ve had over the past two years or so.

Photos by Bobby Gavin

‘I live a couple of minutes from here and it would be easy enough to do track sessions but my focus is ﬁrmly on the road. Having

There was a ninth Senior gold in the discus for Glasgow 2014 athlete, Kirsty Law, with a throw of 52.64m stretching a remarkable run of consistency by the Inverness Harriers athlete, while the men’s hammer was claimed by Andy Frost with 63.31m. Law said: ‘It was good to win because I am proud of that record but I need to take a break now. I will take a couple of months off probably and then decide – there’s obviously the World Champs in London and the Commonwealths in Gold Coast in 2018 to aim for so there’s a lot to think about.’ High jumper Nikki Manson, silver medallist in the past two years, saw off the challenge of Rachael Mackenzie to win gold with 1.78m. ‘I was pleased to win the title because I was second last year at Aberdeen,’ said Nikki. ‘I am slightly disappointed with my jump because I was hoping I could get to 1.83m today. But I’ve had to settle for 1.78 and I guess in championships it is about trying to take the gold. ‘I am off to America next Saturday. I am going to Akron University in Ohio for a two-year Masters degree. ‘It is all very exciting for me but a wee bit nerve-wracking at the same time. There’s an athletics scholarship involved, too, so it should be great for my high jumping. I will be back at Christmas and should be back next June and would plan to do the British outdoor season – hopefully I will be able to defend my Scottish title, as well.’ Chloe Lambert won the Women’s 100m gold with 11.99 while Luke Giblin took the Men’s title. Mike Deason won the 3000m steeplechase in 9.22.92.

scottishathletics

Manchester International

England Athletics 2016

MANCHESTER

INTERNATIONAL Englan dA

Motivates

anchester

MANC thletics 2016 INTERN HESTER AT IONAL

Wednes day 17 A Manch ester Re ugust 20 16 gional Ar en a

White had done well to win the Scottish 1500m title on the Sunday prior to the Manchester International - with Scottish champions from that event earning the vests for the midweek.

ndrew Butchart raced his way to an Olympic ﬁnal just as the Scotland team bus drew up at Sport City ahead of the Manchester International on Wednesday 17 August.

It is fair to say the Central AC athlete might not have had the inaugural track international on his mind in far-off Rio as he joined Mo Farah in making the 15-man ﬁnal a few days later.

‘I enjoyed it at Grangemouth and it was good to win the Scottish title,’ said Matthew, who ﬁnished fourth in the Mile in Manchester. Four individual event wins and a clutch of other good performances were the highlights for Scotland at the ﬁrst-ever match.

scottishathletics website we made it a target because I was already hoping to win the Scottish Seniors – and that gets the pick. I thought it would be like a BMC but the atmosphere was quite good and hopefully Scotland can come back again.’ There was a win for Scotland in the Men’s High Jump. Allan Smith had taken the Scottish title at the weekend with 2.20m and he followed that up with a 2.18m clearance in Manchester to take full points.

England won the trophy with a UK Women’s League/BAL combined team second and GB

Nick Percy has won all sorts of competitions

Juniors third. Scotland were ﬁfth with seven teams competing in all.

during a long season but had to settle for third in the discus here with 57.59m.

Allan Smith, Rachel Hunter, Kirsty Yates and Ben Greenwood were the winners on a night when the likes of Greg Millar and Chuxx Onyia took second places - as well as the Scotland 4 x 400m Men, who ran well to challenge winners England all the way thanks to the efforts of Anthony Young, Greg Louden, Grant Plenderleith and Pat Swan.

Hunter and Millar took second in their throws comps (Rachel winning the Match event) – with Hunter ﬁnishing behind Commonwealth champion Sultana Frizell for the second time in a matter of days, while Millar threw 66.31m in the javelin. There was a third place for Caroline Adams with 3.60m in the pole vault and third for Heather Paton in the sprint hurdles with 13.79.

But what we may well call ‘The Butchart Example’ was being mentioned in dispatches in Manchester as Scotland competed in the inaugural event. A little more than three years ago, Butchart was on one of those buses hired by scottishahtletics to race in Cardiff in a Celtic Nations XC fixture – and much of his improvement can be marked from that point. Who knows if maybe two or three of the athletes who wore Scotland vests at Sport City might yet follow in the path made by his spikes? Mile pick Matthew White remembered racing Butchart in the Scottish Champs at 1500m back in 2013 and admitted he is a role model for others. ‘I was fourth a few years ago in the Scottish Champs at 1500m at Scotstoun when Kris Gauson came through and beat Butchart,’ said Matthew. ‘I think Grant Muir was third. Andrew is definitely an inspiration to others in many ways – just look at what he is doing now, winning GB vests and racing at events like the Anniversary Games and the Olympics. ‘I think he shows the benefit of hard work and also, perhaps, being able to commit a fair bit of time to his athletics. I think even before he was a full-time athlete, he had a favourable job in terms of that for training and for recovery.

Greenwood was one of the most impressive Scots on the night, beating three athletes with faster PBs in an 800m which he dominated from start to ﬁnish. Ben won it in 1.50.39 and savoured beating English champion, Max Wharton, among others. ‘I am really pleased with that and it was good to win it for Scotland,’ he said. ‘I went to Loughborough and was a bit nervous. So this time I just tried to keep a clear head and then the race-plan was to make sure I was in a position to cover anything.

‘Of course, not everyone can replicate those circumstances. But it does show you what can be done.’

‘I was challenged on the back straight in the second lap but I made sure I had my shoulder in front and I managed to stretch it a little before the ﬁnish.

‘It’s a decent event for a ﬁrst time. When we ﬁrst saw it mentioned on the

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The Women’s shot saw Yates take the win with 14.56m with the Scottish champion pulling that off despite currently not having any training behind her. Mhairi Hendry took a third place in the Women’s 800m, Avril Jackson third in the 400m Hurdles and Greg Louden was fourth at 400m. With five young Scots in the GB Juniors selection there were split resources and it was a night when Erin Wallace, Alisha Rees, Jenna Wrisberg, Jill Cherry and Holly McArthur all wore the British vest. Wallace savoured a fine performance in the Women’s Mile race as she finished in fourth place. Rees took third place in the 100m with 11.79, with Scotland Chloe Lambert fourth in 12.28.

Grangemouth

Age Group Champs

MAKE THE LEAP: The Age Group Champs and the Scottish U17s were held on different weekends at Grangemouth in August. Medals, ﬁnal place and PBs were contested with almost 1300 athletes on the entry lists for U20, U17, U15 and U13. Here’s a selection of photos from photographer BOBBY GAVIN which capture the action – with a jumps/hurdling theme.

scottishathletics

British Champs

Birmingham

Scotland Performs (When it Counts) Believe In Extraordinary.

boast no fewer than eight British champions in track, ﬁeld and marathon.

Privately, there was a feeling that maybe 20-24 athletes had genuine medal opportunities at the British Champs.

hree words which counted as the British Olympic Association’s ofﬁcial slogan for the Olympic Games in Rio.

They might also be appropriate for any summary for the collective Scottish effort at the British Champs and Olympic Trials in Birmingham one weekend in late June. Director of Coaching Rodger Harkins in fact described the performances as ‘extraordinary’ and eight Rio places assured, six gold medals, 17 medals in total and three more fourth places definitely fit the description. From the very moment Nick Percy lit the touch paper on Saturday lunch-time with gold in the Men’s discus to Lynsey Sharp’s silver in the Women’s 800m after 4.30pm on the Sunday, Scots stepped up to the plate and the Alexander Stadium became a field of dreams. Call it ‘Perform When It Counts’. The bar had been set high in advance. No fewer than 14 medals had been plundered in each of the previous three years by Scottish athletes at the British Champs; with five golds landed in 2015. This time, Percy was followed onto the top of the podium by Andrew Butchart (5000m), Eilidh Doyle (400m Hurdles), Laura Muir (1500m), Steph Twell (5000m) and Chris Bennett (hammer). With Callum Hawkins (marathon) and Beth Potter (10,000m) enjoying success earlier in the spring in London, Scotland can currently

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‘There’s no dispute that the ‘conversion rate’ at Birmingham that weekend was very high – in terms of medals, top two places and Olympic selection,’ said Rodger. ‘It was extraordinary, in fact. ‘Looking back, there was distinct pressure on Scottish athletes – especially those chasing the Rio places. They had to perform on the day. ‘But I think there is a groundswell of selfbelief among Scottish athletes and coaches. They are taking that from seeing what their peers have done and are doing so at a very high level. ‘When athletes see what Lynsey Sharp, Eilidh Doyle, Laura Muir and Chris O’Hare have done, it inspires them to better performances. That is just naming four. More and more are starting to believe and they think they might be capable of following on in behind those performances and those athletes – with Andrew Butchart and Callum Hawkins as classic examples of that. These guys are full of conﬁdence and that is fantastic to see. ‘They are recognising ‘Do you know what, we can do this’ and I am seeing that mentality spread. At scottishathletics, our role is just to try and help them and their coaches while they are on that journey.’ ‘In terms of Rio, six Scottish athletes being selected for GB and NI was deﬁnitely the

target within the sport. It in itself was a big number given it had not been achieved for the past eight Olympic Games. ‘You expect to get X amount of your total of Y contenders – and six picked would have probably been about half of those felt to have a realistic chance of making Rio. So to achieve so many more is remarkable. ‘There was that pressure there but they and their coaches lapped it up on the day.’ The medal performances are detailed elsewhere on these pages but the bare facts can’t convey emphatic successes for the likes of Butchart, Doyle and Muir; the way Percy and Bennett met the competitive challenge; or the dominance of the Women’s 3000m where there was a 1-2-3 via Twell, Eilish McColgan and Laura Whittle. Listening to the athletes themselves, there’s clear evidence that a Glasgow 2014 ‘legacy’ is at play – no matter how you want to deﬁne the ‘L’ word.

Birmingham

British Champs

‘It was an extraordinary ‘conversion rate’ from contenders to medallists’ Rodger Harkins ‘I really do think it is the Glasgow effect,’ said Sharp, who of course claimed 800m silver at Hampden only hours after a hospital visit. ‘Everyone saw at the Commonwealth Games how it was possible for us to compete on the world stage and we are probably still inspired by having had that experience in our own back yard. ‘Not only are there people who I have grown up with in the sport – like Eilish McColgan and Chris O’Hare – but there are people coming through like Andrew Butchart. There are people a few years below me who have risen to the occasion and who will be on that plane. It is good for the sport.’

at the Rio Olympics can show younger athletes what is possible and then we will have even more come 2020.’ Harkins echoed those sentiments. ‘I think we really are seeing the fruits of Glasgow 2014,’ said Harkins, who made the trip to Amsterdam to assess and support Scottish athletes. ‘In fact, it probably started before that with London 2012 when Eilish McColgan and Lynsey (Sharp) were there at a young age. Both those events being on the doorstep of all British athletes was a motivating factor – be it if you were there or if you had just missed out.

‘If you look back a few years it was mainly Eilidh and Lee McConnell,’ said Chris.

‘Lots of people talk about legacy and argue about legacy but, if you ask the athletes who are delivering now what inspired them, then I think quite a few will say ‘Glasgow 2014’. Those who were there wanted more and those who missed out wanted to try and get that experience for themselves.

‘Eilidh really has given us all a belief that Scots are just as good as anyone and we can compete. Hopefully this generation

‘It was there right in front of them and that has generated that level of belief that they can make the leap onto that kind of stage.’

Boston-based O’Hare, who has medals indoor and outdoors at the European Champs, credits Doyle with being a ‘pathﬁnder’ for others.

British Champs 2016 Gold: Nick Percy, Andrew Butchart, Eilidh Doyle, Steph Twell, Laura Muir, Chris Bennett. Silver: Chris O’Hare, Jax Thoirs, Lennie Waite, Eilish McColgan, Lynsey Sharp, Mark Dry. Bronze: Kirsty Law, Jake Wightman, Allan Hamilton, Allan Smith, Laura Whittle.

British 10,000m Champs Gold: Beth Potter

British Marathon Champs Gold: Callum Hawkins

Silver: Tsegai Tewelde

Bronze: Derek Hawkins

scottishathletics

Euro Champs

Amsterdam

D ouble bl ouble utch

Eilidh and Steph back on the podium Four words, breathlessly uttered deep inside a stadium in Amsterdam, perfectly captured Steph Twell’s mood – four years on from European Championship heartache in Finland. And they might even have served as a suitable metaphor for athletics in Scotland, too, given the rise in performance standards at international level. ‘I’m back on track,’ smiled Steph, moments after taking bronze at the 2016 European Champs in Holland in a 5000m ﬁnal which saw three Scots occupy places in the top six. Twell took third in 15.20.70 and was close to the silver medal as Turkish athlete Yasemin Can - with 15.18.15 - made it two golds in a matter of days after also winning the 10,000m. So with Eilidh Doyle picking up a gold in the 4 x 400m relay, there was a reprise in some sense of Delhi 2010 in terms of the identity of the two Scottish medallists at an international championship event. Steph, remember, travelled to Finland for the Euros in 2012 as she was asked to prove herself for London 2012 but wasn’t ﬁt enough to compete and suffered the agony of missing out on the Olympics. She actually stepped away from the track in Helsinki knowing that the ankle injury which had required surgery had cost her not just the London experience but a couple of years at the top level. ‘It is fantastic, absolutely unreal,’ she said. ‘I feel as though all the lost years are behind me now and I’m back on track. ‘I knew in Holland I had to go for any colour of medal and I just had to run right through to the line. It was so nerve-wracking going around, I was just thinking ‘is it going to be silver or bronze’.

PB 2016 | ISSUE 3

‘I wondered if I could stay with Can, but she

dropped the pace so I just held onto my hat and that was the experience coming out. ‘You can doubt yourself sometimes and I have done that in the past, but now I have learnt how to cope with doubts, and my inner strength is showing. I wanted this - I have been part of the sport since a young age, so I’m super happy with that.’ Whittle was four seconds back in 15.24.18 and McColgan was at 15.28.53 after a race which was slow in the early stages. Laura said: ‘Fifth at my ﬁrst European Championships and I’ve run a massive PB in America this year, so I’m really pleased with my season. I’m just really enjoying my running, and coming into this I thought I was in quite good shape but you never really know.’ Twell was one of two Scottish medallists at the Euros with Eilidh Doyle in the 4 x 400m team who took gold in emphatic fashion. In discussion with her coach Malcolm Arnold, Doyle decided against seeking to defend her European title at 400m Hurdles. In point of fact, less than a week later she beat the Amsterdam winner in Monaco in the Diamond League.

Amsterdam

Euro Champs

Burning disappointment is a good sign

he right attitude in an athlete can manifest itself in many ways over a career in a sport where track and ﬁeld offers no hiding place. So as a handful of Scottish athletes reﬂected on their performances at the European Championships in Holland, it was interesting – and encouraging – to hear three or four express disappointment to varying degrees.

‘I feel as though all the lost years are behind me now and I’m back on track.” Steph Twell But Eilidh once again made a key contribution to the relay squad with the GB and NI women setting a European Lead in the semi-final and a World Lead in the final. Eilidh’s split time for the final was a superb 50.92, with the rest of the team being Emily Diamond, Anyika Onuora and Seren BundyDavies. ‘I prefer first leg, but third was good,’ said Eilidh. ‘It’s very hard to run when you’re in that much of a lead because you don’t know what’s going on behind you. I just tried to run a good solid leg, and when I pass the baton to Seren I just know she is going to do the job and we came away with the gold.’ Lennie Waite had missed out on a final place in the 3000m steeplechase by just one slot after finishing 16th in the overall field - as 15 women progressed. A water-jump fall early in the race didn’t help the Americanbased Scot. Mark Dry was the only other ‘faller’ in terms of Scots in qualifying as he missed out on the hammer final after throwing in Amsterdam. Photos by Mark Shearman and Getty Images

European medals should be hard to come by but the likes of Eilish McColgan, Jake Wightman and Callum Hawkins all felt they should have been closer to the podium in Amsterdam. Chris Bennett made the right noises after reaching the final but, deep down, knew he could have done better than finish 10th. McColgan, in a new event for 2016 remember, was sixth in the 5000m final where Steph Twell took bronze and Laura Whittle was fifth. ‘I am really disappointed,’ said Eilish. ‘Championships are so different so I am really glad I did this in preparation for Rio. It is so different from running a qualifying time. We were jogging, almost walking at one stage, then it picked up, but then it slowed again. ‘It was a good experience but I knew a medal was up for grabs today, so I am disappointed.’

3.47.65 and Wightman’s GB and NI teammate, Lee Emmanuel, took sixth place after being drafted in for the ﬁnal following a DQ for another athlete in the heats.

Callum Hawkins was the sole Scot in the Men’s Half Marathon with brother Derek nursing injury and Tsegai Tewelde a late withdrawal through illness.

Jake for his part had performed superbly on the previous Thursday to come through and win his heat in ﬁne style in a time of 3.39.32.

The Kilbarchan AAC athlete came through from 13th place at 15K to ﬁnish in that ninth place in 63.57 minutes on a warm day in Holland.

‘I thought I had got it right, but when 50 metres to go came and everyone started ﬁring, I just thought I’d gone a bit too early,’ he said with regard to the ﬁnal.

‘I was feeling quite strong in the last 6km, but the middle part I just wasn’t feeling it,’ said Callum.

‘I gave it a go to try and win it, so it’s just annoying because I feel like had I waited a bit longer to kick with everyone else I may have had it. I’ll take it, but it’s just disappointing not to ﬁnish higher up but with the way I ran it. I can’t complain too much as I went for it.’

‘It started off a lot more aggressive than I thought, normally I like to come through, but I thought I’d try something different and try to put myself near a medal but it didn’t pay off. ‘But racing in a championship deﬁnitely helped and I am gaining more experience. Jake Wightman took seventh place in the 1500m ﬁnal in Amsterdam with a run of 3.47.68 in a race that was a real last lap burn-up. Norwegian Filip Ingebritsen won it in

Chris Bennett finished 10th in the Men’s Hammer final in Holland - after a good performance in the heats. Bennett threw 74.93m in the heat and was fourth best in qualifying but his best throw in the final was at 70.93m ‘Friday was my final – my main job was to make it to the European final,’ he said.

scottishathletics

Olympics 2016

#SALfab15

Brazil blend suits Scots By Peter Jardine Photos by Mark Shearman

Super Saturday? Or Super Sunday? Frankly, nobody cared which time zone the description fitted come the conclusion of a scintillating 65 minutes or so for athletics in Scotland. Golden moments at the Olympics down the decades are etched in the memories of those of a certain age, 100m victory for Allan Wells in Moscow arguably the most prominent. And while what happened in Rio didn’t match that in podium terms, the excitement generated by watching first Lynsey Sharp set a Scottish Record with a PB in her first Olympic final, then Andrew Butchart replicate that alongside Mo Farah in the 5000m and finally Eilidh Doyle land a 4 x 400m Relay bronze may yet last us through to Tokyo. It was a thrilling 1-2-3 between 1.15am and 2.20am on the morning of August 21 (British time) and Doyle’s medal topped it off as the first won by a Scot at an Olympics since 1988 in Seoul. Let’s be honest about this: the very fact six Olympic Games have come and gone without a Scottish track and field athlete on the podium counts as lean years and serves only to emphasise how rare, and elusive, the podium is at that global level. Getting in finals and posting top ten finishes simply has to be regarded as success. Naysayers may argue Doyle required English assistance in a team event to collect bronze but so did Elliot Bunney back in 1988 in the 4 x 100m. Bunney won his medal at the end of a six-day period in which Yvonne Murray and Liz McColgan took individual medals, too. At scottishathletics, we prefer to think of Eilidh’s bronze as bringing one home for the

team – the 15 Scots who represented the biggest contingent in a GB and NI selection for athletics for an Olympics in 108 years. Or, in the Twitter vernacular, #SALfab15 as we dubbed them in June when the British Olympic Association memorably announced the names.

from Monaco this summer at 54.09 - and the pride of Pitreavie AAC came home last in eighth place.

Put it another way: it just somehow felt as if this current crop of athletes deserved to return with some kind of tangible mark for their achievements.

‘If I’d looked up at the scoreboard and saw

All 15 have their own back story behind qualifying – and four or five in fact had injury or illness concerns right up to reaching the start-line, (as we look at elsewhere). Five more made it through track event qualifications and five delivered top ten finishes in a rollercoaster 10 days. Not forgetting those laudable Scottish Records for Sharp and Butchart. But let’s start at the medal. Doyle stepped into the 4 x 400m team after missing the heat as she recovered from finishing eighth in the 400m Hurdles final. Eilidh was on the first leg and gave GB and NI a good start before Anyika Onouro and Emily Diamond carried the baton until Christine Uhuruogu brought them home in third behind America and Jamaica.

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FARAH on BUTCHART:

Cue scenes of celebration across Scotland at circa 2.20am . . .

‘Andrew Butchart is the man. I am very grateful fo protecting me and he was helping me out. He has of time for him.’

‘It feels like an absolute joy to have an Olympic medal,’ said Doyle.

BUTCHART on FARAH:

‘I have added that to my collection now so I have one from each of the major championships - the Europeans, Worlds, Commonwealths and now this. I had won the others but this feels a little different – a wee bit special. ‘I felt we were capable of getting a medal so I was desperate to be part of the team. It is hard on the girls who were left out, because there is not much between us all. I think we could have put out another team and still won bronze.’ Doyle’s elation that night contrasted sharply with 48 hours earlier. A third place finish in her 400m Hurdles semi-final, fading in the last few metres, led to a lane one draw for the final.

‘The times of the medallists makes me feel a bit better, to be honest,’ she said post-race in Rio.

As it transpired, four athletes went under 54 seconds – with Eilidh’s new Scottish Record

‘Mo is an inspiration. I spoke to him before the ra and had a little chart and he’s such a relaxed pers nervous.

‘I have seen him train and some of the sessions h more year and then hopefully it is my time – but I

a 54 on the podium then I probably would have been gutted. I don’t know what I can use because, like I say, I don’t know what I did wrong. I’m thinking that if I went back to Malcolm (Arnold, coach) he will say that you did everything right and you just weren’t quick enough.’ There were contrasting emotions, too, for Lynsey Sharp an hour or so before the 4 x 400m Relay on the ﬁnal night of track and ﬁeld in a Women’s 800m event which has attracted widespread coverage for reasons way beyond sport. South African Caster Semenya won it, as widely forecast, and Sharp had to settle for

#SALfab15

Olympics 2016 time doing a heat and then a ﬁnal and my legs have been in bits and I have a blister. It’s the whole foot, pretty sore.

sixth place in 1.57.69 – shaving time off her own Scottish Record. ‘It was a great race to be part of,’ said Lynsey.

‘I guess it’s been a big experience and I hope it will be good when I go to the next Championships.’

‘I knew it was going to be very competitive and to run my fastest ever time in an Olympic ﬁnal, I have to be happy with but I’m a little bit frustrated because I know that I can go faster than that. It wasn’t necessarily about times but being competitive and I feel like I did myself justice today.

Laura Muir had been the ﬁrst Scottish ﬁnalist at the Games – after coming through two rounds in the 1500m. The British Record holder laid it all out on the track in a brave effort to contend for gold but she came home seventh as Kenyan Faith Kipyegon took gold from Genzebe Dibaba with American Jenny Simpson making a late run for bronze.

Sum missed out, were real positives for Lynsey to take away from Brazil – on a trip where her diplomacy rarely failed her. If Doyle was a little down, and Sharp left to rue unusual circumstances, nothing could dampen Butchart’s mood – even as the Rio results shuttled him from seventh to fourth and back to sixth in the Men’s 5000m ﬁnal analysis.

or the way he helped me out in the race. ‘He was s a lot to learn but he has great talent. I’ve a lot

ce; we caught the bus to the stadium together son that you feed off it and it makes you less e does, nobody can do. End of. He’s got one will need to pick up the training even more.’

‘It is difficult to analyse so soon after the race. I sat off the pace because I knew that my best chance was to come through at the end and these girls have a strong finish as well. It was very competitive and I ran my fastest run ever in the Olympic final and I’m happy but I know that I can go faster. ‘The thing that I’m most happy about this week is to get through the rounds clean. It was a disappointment last year and it’s actually harder to make the final than to run in the final.’ Two good runs earlier in the week, including an impressive second place in the semifinal, as the likes of Ajee Wilson and Eunice

Muir had held third until almost midway into the final lap – trying to challenge Kipyegon and Dibaba. It was a dramatic, and rapid, final two laps after a pedestrian opening 400m which saw the pack through in 76 seconds. Muir’s finishing time was 4.12.88 with the race won in 4.08.92. Laura Weightman was 11th.

Mo Farah collected his second gold of the week and Butchart, who had impressed by claiming the fifth automatic place in his heat, stripped almost five seconds off his Scottish Record as he clocked 13.08.61. With three laps to go, he was side by side with Farah and later produced a 57-second lap to lift himself from 11th place to seventh (before the DQs and reinstatements). ‘I can’t ask much more than that in my first major,’ said Andy, photographed in Rio with another Olympian called Andy from Dunblane. ‘The race went off faster than I thought it would and I had to get on it and roll with it. I know I am in shape. This year has gone really well and I have not had a really bad session or a bad race and the season is almost done so I will take that as a good year. ‘I am happy with the time. The placing was more important than the PB. I’m just so happy that I did that.’ The idea Butchart somehow ‘came from nowhere’ is frustrating for those who have seen him run away from fields at Bellahouston or Falkirk in recent years in cross country. Equally, though, he’s shown no discomfort when rising up a level. Any level. Nonetheless, he added: ‘I have never had to recover from a race before. This is my first

‘I’m really proud of how I ran but the other girls had more on the day come the ﬁnish,’ said Laura, who was watched by her parents, Crawford and Alison, in Rio as well as her brother Rory and her grandmother. ‘I gave it everything I could, I couldn’t have done any more on the day. it just so happened that the legs weren’t in it. I’m really proud of how I ran it and executed the race. First Olympics, seventh – it’s not quite what I wanted but it’ll do. ‘I was in the perfect position when Dibaba went for it so I followed her and that was exactly as I thought it would go and I prepared for it. I was feeling really good and it just happened that last 200m wasn’t quite in the legs. I couldn’t have done any more.’ Probably not a bad summary for the overall Scottish effort.

scottishathletics

Olympics 2016

#SALfab15

g n i m r a w l GlobaCallum proves he’s world class How They Saluted Callum:

‘

He has come on in leaps and bounds and has really adapted to marathon training.

’

Derek Hawkins

‘

It is a long time since we’ve had someone at that level in the men’s marathon at the Olympics. Mark Pollard

nyone who assumed the athletics action at the Olympics ended with the close of the final night at the stadium was soon disabused of the notion. Almost exactly 12 hours after Lynsey Sharp and Andrew Butchart posted Scottish Records, and Eilidh Doyle landed Relay bronze, Callum Hawkins was out front and centre in the Men’s Marathon. Make that: right at the very front. It really was quite marvellous to watch the Kilbarchan AAC athlete from Elderslie mix it with some of the best in the world for a long spell that Sunday afternoon (our time) as Rio – and a familiar figure for Scottish athletics audiences - once again captivated TV audiences. Callum led the race between around 15k and 30k and, at one stage, he was ‘trending’ on Twitter in 62 countries. With high humidity, it was a sterling effort and BBC commentary team Brendan Foster and Steve Cram were definitely concerned – with some viewers feeling their anxiety was excessive. Ultimately, Callum did drop back a little but he duly delivered on a personal target to finish in the top ten in his first Olympic marathon with ninth place in 2.11.52. It really was a superb effort under all the circumstances and the best British performance in the event since Jon Brown’s fourth in Athens 12 years ago.

PB 2016 | ISSUE 3

’

‘

After his 12th place in Frankfurt and eighth at the London Marathon, Callum had arrived in Rio with cautious optimism about

Callum can be very proud of his performance. He will be back and I am convinced he will ﬁnish higher than that. Paula Radcliffe

’

his chances. ‘Top ten was the big goal,’ he said. ‘That was what I was going for. So to get that at my ﬁrst Olympics is really good. Hopefully I can go a lot further but the marathon is such an unpredictable sport and you don’t know when is going to be your last one. ‘I’ll take a break from marathons now because that’s three in ten months which is quite a lot for a 24-year-old.’ On leading the race for a spell, he said: ‘I didn’t pick it up, I was just running at my own pace. They kept surging and every time we hit a corner or drinks station they just kept surging, so I was just trying to maintain my pace and I kept getting caught in the middle and having to jostle for position - so I went to the front and ran at my own pace. ‘I thought it would be me hopefully catching everyone, but I’m quite pleased to have led. ‘I felt really comfortable, hence why I was at the front. I maybe went a bit too early, I went with 7km to go and a few of them managed to catch me at the end in the last three or four km. ‘It was a bit annoying that it was my legs that were going. I think I need a couple more years at the marathon.’ For those who have watched him develop as a very promising youngster in Scottish age group events, move to America and back, and then grow in stature still further in the past two or three years there was a real sense of pride.

#SALfab15 Mark Pollard, Performance Manager with scottishathletics, said: ‘There is strong African domination of the marathon event but Callum is bringing it back towards the glory days of British endurance running. Olympic marathons are different from big city events which are all about chasing times. To finish in the top ten . . . it is a long time since we’ve had someone at that level. ‘What once seemed out of reach suddenly looks possible again. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s definitely achievable (Allister Hutton’s Scottish Record at 2.09.16).’ It is understood that Callum will now take a significant break – perhaps enjoying himself by doing a cross country season. London 2017 is a possibility but the real goals are now Gold Coast 2018 and the European Championships that year. Elder brother Derek, 27, finished 114th in a time of 2.29.24 after a seriously difficult build-up through injury.

Olympics 2016

Mixed emotions for 5k trio in Rio

ride. Pleasure. Pain. Eilish McColgan experience all three in a Rio rollercoaster that saw her make her first Olympic final only six months after returning from a full year out of the sport. Switching from steeplechase to the 5000m has been a big success for the redoubtable Scot, who steadfastly refused to give up on her Rio dream despite spending 2015 inactive through injury. Progress from the heats, which saw her GB and NI team-mates Steph Twell and Laura Whittle miss out, was vindication of her programme since early in 2016 – when she returned to action in the Armagh Road Race over 3K. And, if Eilish declared herself disappointed with 13th place in an 18-strong final in a time of 15.12.09 that is only three seconds or so adrift of her PB, then we have to take that as a good sign.

Indeed, on scottishathletics Twitter that day we hinted that Derek had ‘deﬁed medical science’ by completing the marathon in under 2.30 and stand by that assessment.

‘I’m actually disappointed although it’s good that I am disappointed because, well, 13th or something in an Olympic ﬁnal - at the start of the year if someone had said that I would have taken that gladly,’ she said immediately after the Olympic ﬁnal on August 12.

He was keeping on his desired pace (around 2.22) until just past halfway when his legs seized up, making for an uncomfortable end to his race. And despite his own difﬁculties, Hawkins still found time to cheer his younger brother.

‘But I am disappointed I didn’t break into the ﬁeld. I knew that the top six were almost unbeatable because their times were fast here and I knew that they would were going to be gone but I thought I could make the top eight.

‘I am very proud of Callum,’ said Derek.

‘Looking at the PBs of the other girls, I felt I should be around the top eight and to come 13th or so, I’m really disappointed. I think I’m in better shape than that. To go and run 15:12, I don’t think I’ve done myself justice.’

‘The last year he just seems to have come on leaps and bounds. He has really adapted to marathon training. Obviously I was a bit apprehensive for him because it was his third marathon in ten months and he is only 24 years old now so I was concerned how he would cope but it was a great run from him. ‘My own experience was pretty rough going. It was just one foot in front of the other and get it done. There was a lot of GB supporters out there, we had the best support with the exception of Brazil. ‘ Meanwhile, it was also a difﬁcult afternoon for the third member of Britain’s marathon team in Rio. Eritrean-born, Glasgowbased Tsegai Tewelde failed to ﬁnish the race after struggling, pulling out just after halfway. Tsegai, unfortunately, had been suffering from plantar faciitis (heel injury) in the countdown to the race and that wrecked his Rio hopes. Tsegai returned to Scotland to face 4-6 weeks of rehab.

Harsh words with Eilish still learning about herself and when to commit to the pace in a race like the 5000m. ‘It was good experience and that burst of pace, I’m not used to doing it and I need to mentally get ready for it,’ she added. ‘I am strong at the end and I come back, but that middle section I really need to work on. I am trying to compete on 40 miles a week, I’ll be much more confident when I’m doing 60 or 70 miles a week.’ The heat had seen a really impressive McColgan finish as she made the top five places to go through automatically. A run of 15.18.20 was enough while Twell, a bit further back on 15.25.90, ended up missing the final by just over one second and one slot. ‘I knew that if I’ve got a sniff with 400m to go, then I’ve got that speed, ‘ said Eilish after that race. ‘I know I’ve got the times

to be up there, but it’s a mental game sometimes. The main aim was to make a final, but you never know how realistic that is. Training has been great, so I knew I was in shape, but championship racing is so different to anything I’ve done in the past. It was a real bumpy race and I had to stay calm and be aware of everything around me.’ Twell, a finalist at the World Champs in Beijing, said: ‘I tried to keep my balance quite a few times and just about coming up to four laps to go I got clipped and I lost my momentum and dropped a gap of about three places and I think that’s when the break went and I didn’t have it in my legs to finish. ‘I know that I’m in the best shape of my life that I’ve been in but everyone can say that but it just really hurts to know that I haven’t got through.’ For Steph, though, it has still been a very decent 2016 season including her British Championship success in Birmingham and that bronze medal in the Europeans in Holland. For Whittle, making the Olympics at 31 was a career-high and with 10th place in the first heat in 15.31.30, Laura was resigned to her fate before the second heat even began. But it didn’t stop her taking the chance to savour the Rio experience. ‘I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s my first Olympics and I’ve learned a lot from it,’ said Laura. ‘The holding camp in Belo was fantastic – thanks to the lottery for funding that – and I was determined that whatever happened that I would enjoy the experience and I really did. ‘I fought to the line as hard as I could but it was a slower race and that didn’t help.’

scottishathletics

Olympics 2016

#SALfab15 Scotland’s 15 athletes selected for Rio was the biggest representation on Team GB and NI at Olympics since 1908. Back row (L-R): Laura Whittle, Lennie Waite, Steph Twell, Chris O’Hare, Beth Potter, Mark Dry, Chris Bennett Front row (L-R): Andrew Butchart, Eilidh Doyle, Tsegai Tewelde, Laura Muir, Lynsey Sharp, Derek Hawkins, Callum Hawkins, Eilish McColgan

Photo montage by Bobby Gavin

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#SALfab15

Olympics 2016

scottishathletics

Olympics 2016

#SALfab15 ‘It’s not obviously how I pictured the Olympics going three weeks ago – but last week I was questioning as to whether I would even be able to make it around or not. ‘I’m pleased to have completed the laps but extremely disappointed that I couldn’t do it healthily. I did the best I could with the hand I was dealt, it’s a hard thing to go in and race some of the best people in the world knowing that you haven’t been able to put your foot on the ground very much. I’ve not been able to put spikes on or hurdle since London as I have a tear in my plantar, so it was a hard thing to overcome mentally. ‘It tried to give it my best but on the ﬁrst lap it was obvious it wasn’t going to be there for me today.’

eading into an Olympics, and especially a first experience of global sport’s biggest extravaganza, every athlete would love to be in peak condition. With 15 Scottish athletes selected to represent Team GB and NI, there was always a strong chance that one or two within that would be nursing injuries. Sadly that’s exactly what happened for steeplechaser Lennie Waite while Chris O’Hare also suffered from a knee problem a few weeks before travelling to Brazil and it may well be that affected his build-up. Beth Potter also suffered stomach problems in the countdown to her appearance in the 10,000m final right at the start of the track and field programme. Here, we look at comments from those three athletes plus hammer duo, Mark Dry and Chris Bennett, who unfortunately didn’t come up with their best on the day in Rio. American-based Scot Lennie Waite went to Rio nursing a foot injury and that proved too much to bear in her 3000m steeplechase heat. Lennie bravely fought to make sure she finished rather than be a DNF at the Olympics and duly came home in 17th in the Heat Three in 10.14.18.

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************************************* Beth Potter had been the very ﬁrst Scot to feature in Rio, competing in the 10,000m ﬁnal on the opening Friday of the athletics action.

gave a brutally honest assessment. ‘I was just not good enough in the semi-ﬁnal I am afraid. It’s brutally disappointing. I’ve put so much in – I missed out last year. Put so much work in, my family has put so much work in, my team has put so much work in – I’m just gutted for them. ‘It’s hard to come here like this and disappoint so brutally. My body just shut down on me. I felt great, even going into the last lap I felt great, 300 then 200 to go I still felt great, I felt better than I did in the heat, coming down the home straight, I was still within myself and then I went for that last gear and it wasn’t there and I tied up.’ ************************************* Hammer throwers Mark Dry and Chris Bennett took to the Olympic circle on Wednesday 17 August, but unfortunately neither progressed to the ﬁnal. Mark’s best was 71.03m on the day with Chris at 71.32m to leave both men disappointed. In the end, Bennett was placed 19th and Dry at 21st in the qualifying rankings. ‘It felt alright, but it’s just a missed opportunity, I’m a bit annoyed at myself,’ said

It was a tough day for the National XC champion as she finished in 34th in a time of 33.04.34. ‘I got clipped when the girl went down and I have a sore calf now and that did throw me off a little bit,’ said Beth. ‘I had a bit of a sore tummy last couple of days too so wasn’t ideal but I made it to an Olympics. I’ve had a really good season this year and had a really big breakthrough so you can’t do well in all your races but I am glad to be here. ‘It was amazing out there – I’ve just learnt to race better and enjoy the experience. Consistent training and working with my coach (Mick Woods).’ ************************************* Chris O’Hare missed out on the Men’s 1500m final as he faded to 11th place in the semi-final with 3:44.27. As usual, Chris

Chris. ‘The heat is just so warm out there, it’s about 36º and we don’t get much of that up in Glasgow so it’s been quite hard It’s been a brilliant experience but it’s a job not done in my eyes. I felt really good coming into today, training’s been really good and the throws felt technically alright today, there was just nothing there. I’m very disappointed.’ Mark Dry said: ‘We were just getting stuck, it was just hard to put it together. My heart’s not 100%. My mind’s not 100%. My body’s just not ﬁring – there’s no excuses.’

Stef Reid

London 2017

‘Join me for the London 2017 party’ cottish athlete STEF REID, Paralympic T44 long jump silver medallist, is already looking beyond Rio – to London 2017.

passion for 10+ years and to have that opportunity to share that performance with that many people and to have them living it with you, how amazing is that?

‘Next year is going to be extra special for me with London hosting the World ParaAthletics Championships ﬁve years on from the Paralympic Games.

‘To have the Scottish fans back in The Stadium again for London 2017 World ParaAthletics would mean the absolute world to me. Anywhere you go in the world for sporting events, Scottish presence is known.

‘London 2012 was one hundred times more fun than I was expecting. For me it was the ﬁrst time to experience a home Games. There were illusions that it was going to be really hard and feel like lots of pressure, but I felt none of those things. It was just pure support from the crowd. I honestly wish everyone knew what it felt like to have 80,000 people cheering for them, it was amazing. ‘Words can’t describe how mind-blowing it was to be a part of it. Having a British crowd gave us a massive performance advantage right from the get go. To have everyone lined up and competitors to hear the reception for the British athletes, it really elevated our performances. ‘On a personal note, this has been my

‘The world came to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and what sets Scotland apart is the hospitality and friendliness. No matter where you go, the Scottish people bring the party. My dad is Scottish and one of the things I’ve always admired about him is he knows how to have a good party and tell a good story. ‘The summer of 2017 is something you’re going to want to witness in person and this is what we need to continue to inspire the next generation of kids. ‘A lot of people will describe Para sport as inspiring and I think that’s cool; but I think what is really unique about it is that it tells in many ways the underdog story.

‘It is about people who don’t necessarily expect to become athletes but they’ve done it anyway. It encourages people in the audience not to watch them achieve their dream, but to actually go home and chase theirs. ‘It’s amazing to have people there sharing my dream, but it’s even better to know that people are walking away thinking about how they are going to chase their own. ‘Hope to see you back cheering us all on next year.’ Stef Reid x The race is on. The world’s best athletes are coming back to London. Buy tickets for the World ParaAthletics Championships, London 2017 at tickets.london2017athletics.com now!

scottishathletics

Paralympics Three weeks after all the excitement of a huge Scottish presence for the Olympics in Rio cam confirmation of a burgeoning force in Para sports. Libby Clegg and Stef Reid were our representatives at London back in 2012 but now that number has risen to six with the addition of Maria Lyle, Jo Butterfield, Derek Rae and Sammi Kinghorn. Printing and distribution deadlines for PB make it difficult for us to speculate on what might happen in Rio, but this piece by SUSAN SWARBRICK captures brilliantly the stories behind selection for wheelchair race Sammi and seated thrower Jo.

Tears and laughter on the road to Brazil

n a corner of the cafe at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Samantha Kinghorn and Jo Butterﬁeld are laughing as they reminisce over old stories and past adventures.

Kinghorn flicks though photographs on her mobile phone, a kaleidoscope of memories whizzing past. There’s her and Butterfield side-by-side as they celebrate success on the global athletics stage; grinning mischievously while larking around in fancy dress; baking a birthday cake for a friend. Yet, their bond runs far deeper than compatriots and close team-mates. It is little over five years since Kinghorn and Butterfield first met in a hospital ward. In December 2010, Kinghorn was crushed while helping her father clear snow on the family farm in the Berwickshire village of Gordon. Her back was broken and she was left paralysed from the waist down. Butterfield underwent surgery for a tumour on her spine in January 2011. The former Army civil servant, originally from Doncaster but who has lived in Glasgow for the past two decades, was told there was a 0.01 per cent chance that the operation could end in paralysis. The odds didn’t play in her favour. Butterfield awoke to find she was paralysed from chest down. During the five months Kinghorn and Butterfield spent together at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, formerly the Southern General, in Glasgow they forged an unbreakable bond. They have since gone on to enjoy a stratospheric rise in their respective sporting disciplines.

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Wheelchair racer Kinghorn, 20, is a triple European champion in the T53 100m, 400m and 800m and a world bronze medallist in the 200m. Butterﬁeld, 37, won European gold in the F51 club throw in 2014. Last October, she became world champion in that same discipline and also took bronze in the F52 discus. She defended her title successfully in Grosseto, Italy.

What are your earliest memories of each other?

Samantha Kinghorn: “I had already been in hospital for about a month when Jo arrived. I remember her coming down to physio in the most horrendous chair I had seen in my life.” Butterﬁeld: “I came into the gym with this chair and everyone thought I was someone who had been injured ages ago and that was me in my normal day chair. But it was actually just one that the hospital staff had found in a cupboard. It was all they had. I didn’t care – I thought it was amazing.”

How soon did you click as friends?

Kinghorn: “In rehab everyone spends a lot of time together. You go to the gym and eat meals at the same time. You get to know everyone fairly quickly.” Butterfield: “Although it took a few weeks before we got really close.” Kinghorn: “Once Jo discovered the food was horrendous we teamed up to get takeouts a lot …” Butterfield: “We were on first-name terms with everyone in the sandwich shop. We would order breakfast to arrive for when

we finished our first physio session of the day. Sammi and I were quite cheery. Not everyone [on the ward] was. We bonded over that.” Kinghorn: “We learned how to use calipers at the same time. That was difficult. To keep standing upright and not fall over meant concentrating hard the whole time.”

What were the most difﬁcult aspects of that period?

Kinghorn: “Missing out on things my friends were doing back home was probably the toughest. Things like parties or going out to the cinema. I missed life on the farm as well, particularly the lambing season. I remember telling the physio: ‘I’m going home to lamb’ and them not being sure about me being ready. I was determined. I managed to get home for the first week of lambing.” Butterfield: “It’s those little things that you suddenly can’t do. I lived in a top floor tenement flat which meant I couldn’t get home for weekends. That was frustrating. The lack of personal space was hard too. We used to love when it got to 9pm, everyone went home and we could chill out watching films together. Usually scary ones. ‘’On another occasion we decided to get out of our chairs and roll about the floor.” Kinghorn: “We were talking about how rolling over in bed at night was something we used to take for granted. Instead we needed to wake-up, sit-up and turn our legs.” Butterfield: “We looked at each other and asked: ‘Can you roll over?’ We decided to get out of our chairs right there and then to see if we could. We were lying there on the

Paralympics ﬂoor, shouting to each other: ‘Can you roll? I can’t. Nah …’

and take part – you didn’t have to. But we always did.”

“Then the security guard arrived. He pointed and said: ‘There’s a camera up there.’ They had been watching us thinking: ‘What on earth are they doing?’ That was a bit embarrassing.”

Butterﬁeld: “We did skiing and curling too.”

Kinghorn: “We had a counsellor in hospital who asked me: ‘Have you cried yet?’ When I said no, he said: ‘You need to cry because otherwise when you get older it will all hit you at once and you’ll be depressed.’ “I wanted to say: ‘Where’s your wheelchair? How did you feel?’ I know he has the degree and everything, but he didn’t understand what I was feeling and that everyone is different. That’s why it was so great to have Jo there with me and going through it at the same time.

Kinghorn: “We were up for anything.”

What was it like preparing to leave hospital?

Butterfield: “Sammi left a month before me so after that it definitely wasn’t as much fun. But we had a good last day together. There was a 5k round Strathclyde Park that we took part in.” Kinghorn: “There was a record for the course and I wanted to beat it.” Butterfield: “And she did! As we drove there

Kinghorn: “We would see how many pushes in our chairs it would take to get to the top. When we ﬁrst started it felt like hundreds – at least 50 pushes to get up this ‘hill’. By the end, we could do it in seven or eight. We used to do that every night.”

When did athletics become an ambition?

Butterfield: “We didn’t talk about athletics specifically, but sport was a massive thing for us.” Kinghorn: “Every Wednesday we did different sports like table tennis and boccia …” Butterfield: “Swingball …” Kinghorn: “We were super competitive. I remember getting beaten at boccia and being gutted. It was a choice to go along

How does it feel to be considered a role model?

Butterfield: “I find it strange. I had never aspired to be a Paralympian: it wasn’t something on my radar. To be honest, I never knew what I wanted to do. But I think I always knew I wanted to be more than ordinary. This has given me a chance to do that which is quite special. “It is not something I would ever have planned or even asked for, but the opportunities it has brought are pretty cool. If other people can look at that and be inspired or encouraged or whatever word you want to use, then that is a good thing.” Kinghorn: “I don’t really see myself as a role model. I do enjoy talking to kids in school. When I first had my accident I had no idea I was going to be in a chair – I thought I was going to be stuck in bed forever. That was simply because I knew nothing about life with a disability.”

“There were people who wouldn’t face the fact they couldn’t walk. They wouldn’t get up and go to the gym in the morning. It would have been easy to take that same outlook, but Jo and I had our own way of doing things which was to always keep going.” Butterﬁeld: “We deﬁnitely encouraged each other. There was a ‘hill’ – a sloping corridor – inside the unit and we liked to challenge ourselves on that.”

and I sat there for ages trying to ﬁgure out how everything worked. Then we went for a McDonald’s breakfast.”

What is your proudest moment to date?

Montage by Bobby Gavin together the same song, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, came on the radio three times. The ﬁrst line is: “We’ll do it all/Everything/ On our own.” That’s our song. As we pulled into the car park on Sammi’s last day it started playing. That felt like a good sign.”

How did you keep in touch afterwards?

Butterfield: “Sammi often came and stayed with me. After she left hospital and I was in my last month of rehab that is when it all got a bit serious. The biggest challenge was that I had to move house from my top floor tenement flat. I had no home at that stage. “I remember the day I got my new car – that was brilliant. I traded in my old one for an automatic and found a guy on the internet to fit the hand controls.” Kinghorn: “I thought he was going to give us a full introduction on push-pull technique and how to drive the car, but he just handed over the keys and said: ‘There you go …’ Jo

Butterfield [turns to Kinghorn]: “I’m proud of you and what you’ve achieved. I’m proud of me too. I’m proud of us. When I think of all the things we were told we couldn’t do and would never be able to do, I feel so proud.” Kinghorn: “In sport? My three gold medals at Europeans.” Butterfield: “The world championships last year were amazing, but Europeans will always be special because it was our first one. It was fantastic.”

What is the ultimate ambition? Kinghorn: “To be the best in the world.”

Butterfield: “I want to be as good as I know I can be. There is always going to be another record to be broken. I want to be at the top. But I always want to enjoy it too. My goal is to go to Rio and win a gold medal – that is definitely the target – but I want to do it with a smile on my face.” A version of this article first appeared in The Herald

scottishathletics

Grassroots Athletics

Inverclyde AC

Inverclyde AC Inverclyde ﬁrmly on right track ‘We had to begin a journey to become one club, rather than two. ‘In those early years of 1998 and beyond, nobody could quite predict what the future held other than a desire by all involved to ensure that it would be a sustainable and successful one. ‘So has it met those goals and, if so, how do we measure these? ‘For the majority of these 20 years I’ve had the privilege to be President of IAC and at every AGM I always mention that during it we will hear from the various Club Captains about our successes during the past year. However, I always add that surely our greatest success is that IAC is still here! ‘There’s no doubt that IAC has been successful if we use a simple yardstick of the number of club athletes who have won County, District, National, International (and even World) titles during that time, been selected to represent their country and GB and also include our individual and team podium moments across all age groups. Jonny Glen

nverclyde AC were formed in 1996, initially as a Track and Field club. Then, with the amalgamation of Greenock Wellpark Harriers and Spango Valley AC in 1998, IAC became a club who competed all year round. Here, in a special feature for PB, President Gerry Gaffney looks back . . . and forward. ‘As part of that ﬁrst IAC Committee, I was acutely aware we faced a huge responsibility in forming this new club which involved pooling all our experience, knowledge and ‘working practices’ together and combining them with our own individual (and sometimes) strong personalities, opinions and attitudes.

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‘Our peers have also determined that IAC has been successful with scottishathletics awarding the club honours such as the Tom Stillie Award and Impact Club of the Year and some of our coaches receiving Coach of the Year Awards. ‘IAC were awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2009, the highest honour which can be bestowed upon a club such as IAC and is the equivalent of an individual MBE, with the Queen also awarding one of IAC’s coaches the BEM in 2015. ‘In my opinion IAC, as a club, has now become nationally recognised and respected for not only its successes, but equally importantly for its work ethic, commitment, drive and desire to further athletics within Inverclyde (and beyond).

‘How have they achieved this? By having a simple belief and vision in itself as a club to do the very best it can for all it can and having a desire to provide an athletefocussed pathway. ‘But these are not the whole story here with regards to IAC’s journey. They are, if you like, above the surface and tangibly visible. However, they are underpinned by even more successes lying underneath the surface which are equally as important in IAC’s journey and which are driven by the Club Committee. ‘Behind every successful club there has to be a strong Club Committee who are like minded and committed, as they set standards and policies; give direction; demonstrate vision, are not afraid of hard work nor embracing change, i.e., they are the ‘engine room’ of the club. ‘ IAC’s Club Committee are all of these and over the years have sought to drive the club forward and involve the membership when introducing signiﬁcant changes to club business, with one major change being recognition that the club of today has to be run as a business. ‘Changes in that regard include: *Carrying out the very ﬁrst IAC Review (strengths v weaknesses) against key areas which included communication, coaching, competition, then holding meetings with club members to discuss turning our weaknesses round (into strengths). *Recognising that becoming part of SAL’s Club Together Programme and Club 20:20 was integral with ongoing development of the club. *Engaging with local businesses and fostering relationships with them to become involved with club business. *Establishing a club website.

Inverclyde AC

Grassroots Athletics its success and sustainability over the last 20 years. ‘A few more observations . . . *Our Annual Prizegiving & Disco has become so successful during recent years that we have outgrown all the local bowling clubs and halls and ﬁnd that the only suitable venue locally is the Greenock Town Hall where last year over 220 enjoyed themselves in what most parents described it as an IAC ‘ family get together’ evening. *Club membership has almost doubled in the last two years to just under 300. *Recently IAC’s U12 boys won silver medals at the SAL U12 SUPERteams at Dam Park, our U15 and U17 girls were crowned Scottish Champions at the SAL Relays (3x800) with our senior men also

athletic scholarship for the next three years. Would I ever have thought that any of these would have been possible in 1998? I don’t think so! ‘As a club we now have so much going on that the Committee has decided that sub groups are essential - involving areas such as media & communication, welfare, volunteers, coaches, ﬁnance etc. ‘And, of course, we continue with the simple belief and vision in itself as a club to do the very best it can for all it can and having a desire to provide an athlete focussed pathway for all its young athletes to not only be the very best they can be as athletes but equally importantly prepare them to become the seniors of the club and adults of the future. If it isn’t broke ....

Andy Douglas *Looking at resources within the club who could best serve the club, e.g., having an accountant as our treasurer and encouraging younger members to join the committee, especially those with IT and Social Media skills, *Involving the parents more by introducing Parent Induction Presentations. *Encouraging parents to join the committee and take on an active role, one parent has recently become our new Child & Vulnerable Adult Protection Ofﬁcer with another becoming our IAC Volunteer Co-ordinator. *Establishing a formal (and very active) IAC Volunteer Group (managed by our IAC Volunteer Co-ordinator).

Ryan Gray

*Supporting our team of hard working and dedicated Coaches. *Introducing a Standing Order system for payment of club fees. *Reinforcing our existing Development Plans to ensure pathways for athletes as they progress through the club . *Organising Open Graded Meetings and establishing good working relationships with Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde Leisure. *Taking lead roles within Inverclyde Local Athletics Partnership, Ravenscraig Community Sports Hub and our local Sports Council. ‘Which all seek to try and demonstrate how those successes underneath are inexplicably linked with those on the surface and together their collective synergy has contributed towards IAC’s journey towards

being crowned Scottish 4x100 Relay Champions at Aberdeen. ‘I’ve deliberately sought not to mention individuals in my article as I wished it to be presented as IAC and not individuals, (the athletic community in Scotland are more than aware of IAC athletes and coaches). ‘However, I could not conclude without mentioning Jonny Glen who is a shining example of IAC’s Young Athlete Development Plan. Jonny emerged from our ranks to win National and International honours, culminating in representing GB and NI at the World Cross Country Championships in China in 2015 at U20.

Club Stats:

Inverclyde AC

Main base:

Greenock

Club Colours:

Black / White

Website:

inverclydeac.co.uk facebook.com/groups/ 156633211041573/

https://twitter.com/ InverclydeAC

‘Jonny’s development and successes are part of the IAC story since 1998, but he’s now headed off to college in America on an

scottishathletics

Grassroots Athletics

Kirkintilloch Olympians

Mastering Teamwork, Medalling Masters. ithin the ebb and ﬂow of the life of athletics clubs across Scotland, many will experience spells when a particular event, age group or discipline hits the heights.

surfaces more conducive to speed work. In the cross country season, the group will even be found in Cumbernauld Park and Callendar Park – venues for the National Relays and National XC.

The catalyst can be a single coach, a group of athletes, a new or improved facility or a combination of these.

‘What is notable is the fact that all the team live in close proximity to Kirkintilloch and we believe our success is largely down to the fact that the squad of around 20 male veterans train regularly together,’ said spokesman Sean Casey.

Over the past couple of years, Kirkintilloch Olympians have been experiencing one of those ‘purple patches’ with their Men’s Master group. The result has been a series of ﬁne performances, both by individuals and be teams, at various events including British Masters road and cross country podium places in 2014, 2015 and again this year – when two sets of gold were brought back to East Dunbartonshire. The group are coached by Alastair Macfarlane and based on the cinder track at Merkland pavilion in Kirkintilloch itself. Sessions also take place at Crownpoint and indoor at the Emirates, in order to utilise

‘We have sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and periodically on Saturday mornings when the race calendar permits. This has helped us build a strong team ethos. ‘With strength across all disciplines including track, road and cross country and very ﬁne margins between a number of our athletes, there is always internal competition just to make the team. I think that has in turn pushed everyone on TEAM

individually to try and improve.’ It is this strength in depth and competitive teamwork at Kirkintilloch Olympians which has resulted in team medals being won even when key athletes are missing through injury or illness. In the future, there is deﬁnitely a desire within the club to see this level of success mirrored across the female masters, who have also won team medals across various age groups. Kirky are not forgetting other age groups, either, but there’s no doubt their Men’s Masters teams are leading from the front as their ‘standard-bearers’. Not resting on their laurels, the group are already planning their ﬁrst ever warm weather training next February and hope to build on their team ethos and ultimately athletic success. We wish them well. INDIVIDUAL - SAL MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

British Masters 5K Road Championships M35- Louis O’Hare M40 10000m 2015 1st, 5K 44 2015 1st, 2016 1st 2015 3rd, 10K 2015 3rd, Half Marathon 2015 2nd British Masters 5K Road Championships M45- Stephen Allan M40 SAL Trail Champs 2014 2nd, Marathon Champs 2016 2nd, 1500m Champs 54 2016 1st 2016 4th, Indoors 3000m Champs 2nd, 5000m V40 Bronze British Masters Cross Country Championships M35-44 2014 2nd SAL National Road Relay Masters Champs 2014 2nd, 2015 2nd, 2016 2nd SAL National Cross Country Masters Relay Champs 2015 2nd SAL West District Cross Country Masters Relay Champs 2012 3rd, 2015 2nd

PB 2016 | ISSUE 3

Scottish Veteran Harriers Relay Championships 2013 4th, 2014 2nd, 2015 2nd, 2016 2nd

Howard Elliott M45 10000m 2015 1st, 2016 3rd, 1500m 2016 2nd, Indoor 1500m 2016 1st, Indoor 3000m 2016 3rd, 5000m V45 Bronze James Gallacher M55 British Masters 5K Champs 2016 1st, SAL 5KChamps 2016 3rd, SAL 10mile Champs 2016 3rd Paul O’Hare M40 SAL 1500m 2016 3rd

Grassroots Athletics

Banchory Stonehaven

anchory Stonehaven Athletics Club are delighted to have been awarded a £35,000 grant from sportscotland to enhance the facilities at its Alexander Park athletics ﬁeld in Banchory.

hard-hit by the rain. This new high jump and javelin run-up will make us independent of the weather for these activities as well as providing a competition standard run-up area.’

The project will involve the construction of a new 500 m2 all-weather surface for high jumping and javelin throws as well as general all weather training.

The grant from sportscotland takes the project from a dream to reality for the club. Further fundraising of £17,000 is necessary to complete the full amount required, but the club is now conﬁdent with the bulk of funds in place, this will follow quickly. It is planned to have the new facility ready for the start of the 2017 season.

Banchory Stonehaven as a club have around 130 members, mainly youngsters, from the Deeside and Stonehaven areas. Like so many of our athletics clubs in Scotland, it is run by a dedicated and enthusiastic team of committee members and coaches, all volunteers. Thanks to the talent and commitment of its coaches, it has produced in recent years an impressive number of athletes who have worn both Scotland and GB vests. ‘This all-weather facility will allow us to increase the amount of coaching time we give to the members in our club,’ said club president, Andrew Stevenson. ‘The Alexander Park ﬁeld is grass, and often

Athletics Club to help provide an all-weather facility, which will be used for general training, high jumping, and javelin throwing. ‘sportscotland is fully committed to investing in quality facilities as part of our drive towards developing a world-class sporting system at all levels and the opportunities which clubs like Banchory Stonehaven provide to their members and to that community are essential in encouraging more people to take part in sport and physical activity.’

Simon Hare, Banchory Stonehaven AC committee member added: ‘We have had tremendous support from scottishathletics in this project, as well as from local councillors.

Club Stats:

Banchory Stonehaven Athletics Club

Main base:

Banchory / Stonehaven

‘Run Balmoral has generously donated us a £350 Sports Bursary for this project and we hope to follow this up with further donations from local and national sources in the coming months.’

Club Colours:

Blue

Website:

bsac.club facebook.com/groups/ 1535502123335129/

Mel Young, Chair of sportscotland, said: ‘We’re delighted to be making this £35,000 investment into Banchory Stonehaven

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Kilmarnock Harriers

Open XC

Kilmarnock Harriers ‘Kilmarnock Harriers have been hosting an Open Cross Country event every November each year since Jesus was a boy.’ That’s how event organiser and club official, Ian Gebbie, puts it when looking ahead to the 2016 version of a very popular occasion on the calendar. In the past, and although that stretches back many years, the event has usually attracted a loyal but modest support in terms of numbers and the event has been relatively low-key as a consequence. Now, however, as part of the Kilmarnock Harriers Club 20/20 Modernisation Project, the clear goal is to try and develop flagship events in Cross Country, Road Running and Track and Field. And that plan is already up and running so to speak with the introduction of their new 10K Road Race earlier in 2016. The ‘Roon the Toon’ race in mid-June attracted over 1000 entrants in its first year and it will certainly be back on the agenda, bigger and better, for 2017 and hopefully beyond. Now, though, as thoughts turn towards the winter season for so many clubs in athletics in Scotland, it is the turn of Cross Country to be revamped by the Ayrshire club. In doing so, the club have a particular ambition to attract more children to participate in cross country. In fact, races start from the U11 age group, with prizes for the first three teams (three to count). ‘We really believe in the benefits of cross country running,’ said Ian.

PB 2016 | ISSUE 3

‘Not only does it strengthen the athlete physically it also helps engender determination and discipline and promotes character building, ultimately helping young folks grow into better citizens.

With their support the club will be able to market the event better, to offer an improved race experience and to offer better prizes – in particular more kids team and spot prizes.

‘You only need to look at some of the Scots involved in the Olympics this summer and there are examples of those who came through the ranks running cross country – athletes like Eilish McColgan, Laura Muir, Andrew Butchart, Eilidh Doyle, Chris O’Hare, Callum Hawkins and Derek Hawkins have all featured in age group races over the past number of years.

Graham Campbell, Ayrshire and Clyde South District General Manager for SPEN told PB magazine: ‘We are delighted to participate with Kilmarnock Harriers in developing their cross country event.

‘Of course, we would love to see more Senior athletes participating, as well, and I know the Scottish National XC has been growing in that regard with bigger ﬁelds at Senior level over the past couple of years.’ To help the club develop the event they have been fortunate in obtaining the support of a blue chip sponsor – Scottish Power Energy Networks.

‘We are responsible for ensuring people in the south of Scotland have a safe and reliable supply of electricity and are in the business of getting people connected to the electrical network. ‘Hopefully with our support for the event we can also help more folk connect with cross country running. That is a key goal of the partnership with Kilmarnock Harriers.’ We hope to see you all at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena on Sunday 13 November for some – Fun In The Mud

d u M Fun in