Grassroots Athletics: Annan and District AC

Hats off to Annan

By Katy Barden

Outside of Scottish athletics afi cionados and those who were present, it’s not widely known that 1980 Olympic 800m champion Steve Ovett – representing Annan and District AC - fi nished fourth in the 1989 Scottish National Cross Country Championships at Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick.

While he may have missed the podium, the former world record holder (1500m, one mile and two miles) signifi cantly raised the profi le of the small Dumfries and Galloway club he’d recently joined.

Fast forward to 2020 and the club’s profi le was again raised when it was awarded the 4J Studios Innovation Award at our annual awards as recognition of itsfi ne work during lockdown.

Indeed, while the energy to create fun and motivational activities waned for many throughout the year, in Annan’s case the very opposite was true.

‘They defi nitely didn’t lose interest,’ laughs club secretary and junior coach Mhairi Pringle.

‘We had ‘spell your name’ workouts, moving games for all the family, socially distanced runs, PE with Joe and the ‘search for the elusive toilet roll’ – the Seniors were so clever with that one. You’ll probably see it hundreds of times with other clubs but I think, ultimately, it was probably our club that started it. It was quite novel.’

The club took part in a diverse range of virtual events including races, quizzes and SUPERteams and in one case, set up a Just Giving page which raised £200 for the NHS in Scotland.

Family members also got involved, and one of the mums (age 91) knitted hats with ADAC (Annan & District AC) which were sold to Senior members and raised £250 for Dalbeattie Day Centre.

Collectively, their efforts were both inspired and inspiring.

Annan and District AC, originally Annan Harriers, was formed in 1976 as a hill and road running club. It evolved to include a track and fi eld section in 1977 and now welcomes athletes of all abilities from eight years old through to Seniors and Masters.

Pringle admits that while the Seniors will likely enjoy a resurgence in membership postCovid-19, overall their numbers will have taken a bit of a hit.

‘‘Before all this carry-on started, we were sitting between 50 and 60 adults and nearly 100 children, but we just felt we couldn’t really ask for a membership last year.’ motivate children. If you couldn’t motivate the parents, the children didn’t get involved.’

With a good pathway in place, however, there is potential for Annan – who celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016 - to not only survive, but thrive.

Just prior to the pandemic, they adopted a Run-Jump-Throw group in nearby Moffat and now, in partnership, they’re providing increased participation and competition opportunities for young athletes.

‘I’d like to think that things will improve, but it will take a bit of work and a bit of time,” says Pringle.

‘We’ll have to seriously think where we’re going - everything is different. Folk are still fi nding it hard to go out, and when they’ve got no focus it’s very hard to keep them. But we will get going again.

‘This has also brought us an opportunity for a changing of the guard, so we’re trying to encourage new blood - and then, when we get the chance to enjoy life, we need to enjoy it. It will get better.’

Annan and District AC has proven itself to be a small club with a big heart and bundles of energy. While names like Ovett have given it headlines, its legacy, without doubt, will be its close community of members and in particular, how it helped them through lockdown.