Grassroots Athletics: Fife AC

Running in the family

By Katy Barden W hen Ben Sandilands ran for Scotland at the Antrim International Cross Country in January 2018, he made family history.

Over 100 years previously, his great, great grandfather George Sandilands had also earned his first Scotland vest, finishing fourth in the 100 yards at the Scotland v Ireland international athletics event at Ibrox Park, Glasgow in 1910.

‘I didn’t know about my great, great grandfather until my Pops gave me his 1910 Scotland Cap after my own debut for Scotland in Ireland,’ says Sandilands (Ben). ‘I’m very proud to have it.’

Although George Sandilands, a member of Edinburgh Harriers, had started out as a sprinter, he left an endurance legacy which included the donation of the East District League shield. The Sandilands Shield was first presented to the Senior Men’s winners in 1927-28 and it remains the oldest trophy in the East District League.

too. One is currently presented to the first person across the line in Fife AC’s Boxing Day handicap race in Kirkcaldy and another, in memory of his daughter Doris, was historically given by Fife Schools to the winning senior girls track team in the Fife Championships.

Sandilands was an architect by trade, and according to the Dictionary of Scottish Architects, sport had always played a large part in his life.

‘When young, he gained international recognition as a member of the Scottish Athletic team and later served as a judge and timekeeper for the Scottish Amateur Athletic Association for over 35 years,’ the website states.

‘He became President of Kirkcaldy YMCA Harriers, was Fife’s representative on the Physical Education Committee of the YMCA and a member of the Scottish CrossCountry Union. He was well known in gymnastic circles and was also a keen swimmer and boxer. On the football field he played for Heart of Midlothian FC and later became a director of Raith Rovers FC . . .’

He died in Kirkcaldy on 10 December 1967 aged 84, but his son George (1914- 85) followed in his sporting footsteps and also ran cross country (for Kirkcaldy YMCA).

Great, great grandson Ben is now blazing his own trail.

Since his Scotland debut in Antrim at the age of 14, he’s enjoyed success regionally and nationally both on the track and in cross country, including leading Scotland East to silver with in impressive second place at January’s Inter-District Cross Country Championships in Stirling.

‘I joined Fife AC just before I turned 11,’ he says. ‘I love running and I have a great training group and great coaches (Steve Doig and Andy Scott).