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2019

Issue 2

PB INSIDE

COACHING SPECIAL

‘Grief led me to lose my running mojo. Now I am coaching dad’s athletes.’ Nicola Hood

‘We have to put a value on coaching and try and enhance what it is about.’ Stephen Maguire

The official magazine for members of scottishathletics

Issue 2

PB2019

scottishathletics

05 Chief Executive

Mark Munro

06 News

07 News: Radcliffe seal of approval

08 Loughborough International 2019

09 Loughborough International 2019

10 FPSG District Champs: Picture Special

12 #peoplemakeathletics Kelly Bissett

13 #peoplemakeathletics Ron Morrison

14 Coaching: Nicola Hood

16 Coaching: Stephen Maguire

18 PB Interview: Callum Hawkins

19 Marathon Insight: Fraser Clyne

20 Grassroots Athletics: Lindsays Trophy

22 Grassroots Athletics: Teviotdale Harriers

24 Grassroots Athletics: Alastair Walker

25 Grassroots Athletics: Lesley Hansen

26 Para Athletics: Maria Lyle

28 Para Athletics: Ross Paterson

30 Grassroots Athletics: Dumbarton AAC

31 Grassroots Athletics: Dumbarton AAC

32 4J Studios National Athletics Academy

34 Hill Running: Andy Douglas

The official magazine for members of scottishathletics www.scottishathletics.org.uk

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Chief Executive Mark Munro

elcome to the latest edition of PB Magazine.

Mark Munro Chief Executive

There has been a lot happening since the last edition of this magazine across all sections and at all levels within the sport, some of which is covered in the pages that follow.

Scottish Athletics

@SALMarkMunro

It is also the time of year at which we have the pleasure of pulling together the Annual Report for the previous financial year (April 2018 to end March 2019).

Scottish coaches are so important to what we’re trying to build here...

I would like to start out by congratulating everyone involved in the sport, it certainly was a fantastic year. I recognise that there are always challenges but do not lose sight of the fact that the sport has come a long way and continues to deliver successfully. From an athlete perspective, the momentum gained from recent season continues, whether that is on the mountains, the trails, in the ultra world or within track and field. Our male mountain runners continue to dominate internationally and it was great to see five Scots selected in a GB team of 16 for the Europeans. In the field, it’s been wonderful to see the likes of top U20 athletes Stephen Mackenzie and Alessandro Schenini excelling in the long jump. It was also great to see the improvements in men’s sprinting continuing along with a whole host of new national age group and senior records. Heather Paton broke a sprint hurdles record which had stood for more than 30 years.

that they are doing and for the most part, the majority are unpaid.

Ellie O’Hara, both under the tutelage of Linda Nicholson.

Stephen Maguire mentions this elsewhere (pages16-17) but we must appreciate that coaches are delivering ‘professional’ roles. Coaches who aspire to be the best in the world, who want to support the athletes to be the best they can be, must themselves be supported.

Anne Scott has always worked alongside husband John but has probably not been given the recognition she deserves. Janice Eaglesham is also prominent as a Para coach.

Coaching

Stephen Maguire

‘I understand why coaches are labelled as volunteers – but many are very professional indeed in their outlook and approach. We have to put a strong value on coaching.’ By Euan Crumley

irector of Performance and Coaching with scottishathletics may be his current job title, but Stephen Maguire admits he’ll always be a coach at heart. The man who also heads up a highly successful relay programme for British Athletics returned north of the border towards the end of last year to a position similar, albeit somewhat wider in scope than the role he occupied between 2012 and 2014. His job in Scotland now is to help put long-lasting structures in place and, though he dislikes the word, create a sustainable ‘pathway’ which leads to success.

is out and about speaking to the athletics community, there are still those willing to go on a journey which he says has hugely similar parallels to that of the athletes themselves.

The word ‘learn’ crops up regularly during conversation with this Northern Irishman whose affable persona belies the steely strength of character which it takes to reach the upper echelons of the sport.

‘I’ve heard it said that a governing body does not make an elite coach and that’s so true. Becoming an elite coach has to come from within,’ says Stephen.

Few have ascended further than the former high jumper who will aim to add Olympic success to the golden moment he helped create when the men’s Great Britain 4x100m became world champions in London two years ago.

‘I like the American attitude where they call training sessions ‘practice’, because you are actually practicing and it’s okay to make mistakes. Athletes take their first steps on that road, of course, when they are introduced to some ‘That’s my coaching philosophy. A practice sort of training set-up and come under the or training session, that’s what it’s about guidance of a coach. – you make mistakes. Hopefully you learn from them and you don’t make them in And few know better than Maguire just competition. how important that work is even if often it appears to be under-valued to the wider ‘Coaching is no different. You’ll make public. mistakes and I haven’t met a coach yet who hasn’t made a blunder or 10. Every elite But he is heartened to find that, when he coach will reflect on their career and think ‘if only’, you know? But every coach has to PB 2019 | ISSUE 2 learn.’

Within endurance, Scots continue to show the world that they belong on that stage with some strong performances from Josh Kerr, Laura Muir, Chris O’Hare and Neil Gourley in the 1500m, Jemma Reekie over 800m and 1500m, Andy Butchart and Eilish McColgan (new Scottish 5,000m record) over 1500m and 5,000m, and I think we are all delighted to see the return to the track of Jake Wightman. 16

In the Para events, again, it was great to see Sammi Kinghorn in action, the same for Paralympic Champion, Jo Butterfield, as well as the likes of Stef Reid and Maria Lyle amongst many other good performances. On the road, the new Scottish marathon Record for Callum Hawkins (2:08) in London was a breath of fresh air, as was Derek Rae’s World Para Cup silver medal with a six-minute PB (2:27). When you see the performances across the board, it is essential that we recognise how important Scottish coaches are to the system we are trying to build on in this country. We must respect the wonderful job

Coaching ‘Just like the athletes, our job is to help the coaches who want to be helped. It’s the same sort of process. ‘I always look at things as if I was coaching that athlete and I’ll always ask the coach. I’m an anorak in that respect where I want to learn. ‘I’ll ask Andy Young about what he’s doing with Laura Muir, even though do I have any influence over Laura? No. Do I need to have any influence over Laura? No. She’s got her own team, she’s got her own coach. If she ever needs me I’m here but I’ll always ask Andy just for me to learn.’

Within the staffing at scottishathletics we now have more women leading our coaching projects with Alison Grey (throws) and Gillian Cooke (jumps) now providing that coordination and leadership at national level. Julie Mollison, on the back of her previous development work as well as team manager role at the Commonwealth Games, now heads up the National Academy. There are others, too.

Stephen Maguire using the term volunteers and I understand why people would say that (coaches are volunteers) but that’s being a bit disrespectful as well. It is a vocation. ‘Yes, they are volunteering because they have to work so that they are able to coach but they are very professional people. They may not be paid to be coaches but they are very, very professional in outlook and approach. ‘It is undervalued and we have to put value into coaching again. What I’m looking for up here is how can we enhance what we have, enhance what coaching is about.’

It’s not unusual to hear praise for the unpaid Maguire’s philosophy is one of coaching workforce upon which the sport so collaboration, of sharing knowledge, seeing heavily relies. the bigger picture, working for the greater good. A vast number of coaches don’t see a penny for their contributions – indeed, being left ‘It’s very unique that the first coach you out of pocket is considerably more likely meet will be the coach that puts you on to an outcome – yet Maguire insists the term an Olympic podium,’ he says. volunteer is not quite the right fit in this ‘One of the best coaches that I ever met instance. was a guy called Terrence McWilliams. He ‘I’m a coach and I’ll always be a coach,’ he was a gaelic football coach but he was only says. interested in coaching U14s and U16s. That’s where his real interest was. ‘That’s why my hat comes off to any coach who’s out there. The sport is very good at ‘I want our coaches to have recognition that

Laura Muir and coach Andy Young

it’s brilliant to be an U14 coach and then to develop that open and honest relationship with people that ‘you may need help for this athlete to realise their potential’ – that it’s not anybody’s property. ‘Sometimes I hear ‘this is my athlete’. None of it is MY athlete. This is a person who chooses to do track and field and it’s up to us all to put the right structures in place to help them be the best they can be.’ *This article first appeared in Athletics Weekly

We’ve also announced another exciting project with the formal partnership agreement with the German Region, Baden-Wurttemberg.

Yet not by any stretch of the imagination has he ever allowed himself to think he’s got this coaching lark all worked out. ‘Every elite coach that I know throughout the world, they are continually learning, they are always asking, they are always annoying people, they’re always looking at science, they are always pushing at doors and kicking the doors down. ‘That’s what I want to see in the coaching from our end of things at scottishathletics. I don’t want to see people sitting back on their laurels and thinking they’ve already done it. ‘The world changes so quickly. Coaching track and field now isn’t the same as it was five or 10 years ago. It has moved forward. At the top end, it is bigger commercially.

Stephen Maguire at the launch of the Joma Scotland International kit

A professional coach is not necessarily someone who is paid, but is very much about their hunger and drive for learning and improvement, the behaviours demonstrated, the environment they are creating, and their skill set and the professionalism about how they go about their business. It’s definitely not just about paid people. It is also very pleasing to see more female coaches breaking through with athletes at the top end. Scotland has always had good female coaches but, for whatever the reasons, in the past very few have been working at international level. We are now witnessing some excellent coaching with athletes and results to back this up. A highlight of the past few weeks has been the progress and record breaking exploits of jumps athletes, Stephen Mackenzie and

The partnership will enable developing talent from Scotland and their coaches to travel to Germany to compete in events appropriate to their competition level and discipline, which will enhance their opportunities to gain valuable competition experience, new cultural experiences and life skills from travelling to overseas competitions.

scottishathletics

The project will create an exchange of coaching knowledge between the partners that will see opportunities for those involved to share experiences and resources. ************************************* We are now very much into the ‘summer’ season and it is full steam ahead. Both domestically and internationally there is a very full programme of events and no doubt, we will continue to see our athletes flourish on the international stage. No matter your age, level or role: Good Luck!

scottishathletics

Keep up to date with all the stories @www.scottishathletics.org.uk

teph Twell and Eilish McColgan delivered two of the best performances of their careers on a superb night for Scottish endurance running at the Night of the 10,000m PBs in London. McColgan took an individual silver medal in the European 10,000m Cup and led GB and NI to the team golds overall. Twell for her part landed the British title after she had opted to race in her club vest and thus not be part of the European Cup event. Eilish thus took silver in the British Champs. With Sarah Inglis and Mhairi Maclennan both part of the GB team and landing gold medals, as well as Twell and McColgan securing Doha World Champs standards to move second and third on the Scottish alltime list, there were plenty of reasons to be positive from a Scottish perspective. It was a memorable moment, too, for scottishathletics Endurance Lead Mark Pollard who as Team Manager can reflect on team golds for the women and team silvers for the British men. Twell clocked a terrific 31.08.13 to win the race outright with Eilish in third place in 31.16.76 as Israel’s Lonah Salpeter edged her out for the European gold.

NEWS

Steph overhauled the European 10,000m champion Salpeter with 600m to go to earn a popular victory in front of a boisterous home crowd. As Salpeter was reeled in, Twell took her opportunity, making a decisive move and holding her composure on the final lap to seal the British title in a magnificent time of 31:08.13, the sixth fastest time ever by a Briton. ‘I still really can’t quite believe it,’ said Steph. ‘The atmosphere was electric. I was really just following the light gates for so long, and I didn’t realise what kind of race I was in until the second half. ‘A few months ago, in my head, I would probably have let Salpeter go. On the back straight, I just thought, I could still see her heels, ‘I’m not letting her go’

14:47.94 in the 5000m - this was another significant best for the Scot.

‘I didn’t even think about her as European champion, she was just another girl in the race and that was important to me to think she wasn’t out of reach.’

McColgan’s individual European silver medal earned the British team the gold medal overall in the European Cup. Backing up the Scot’s impressive performance was Alice Wright in 32:27.57, the second counter in the GB and NI team, with Verity Ockenden next in 32:34.47.

McColgan continued her impressive 2019 form, earning a massive PB. Following her prowess over the shorter distances – improving to 4:00.97 over 1500m and

Charlotte Arter, Sarah Inglis (32:52.51) and Mhairi MacLennan (PB of 32:58.42) all contributed to the gold-medal moment for the squad of six.

Jacob leads Scots trio to Euro golds

acob Adkin scaled new heights in the shadow of Switzerland’s iconic Matterhorn on a wonderful weekend for Scottish hill running in early July.

‘I initially set out to fight for the team and the individual placing didn’t really enter my head until I hit the front with about a third of the race run. ‘But when the opportunity presents itself to potentially go and win an individual medal at a major championships, that really pushes you on. There was support coming from team-mates and the crowd along the side of the course.

The Keswick athlete coached by his GB and NI team-mate Robbie Simpson, who came through the ranks at Moorfoot Runners and Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds, conquered Europe with a superb individual gold medal success in Zermatt. And Adkin’s victory set the tone for a first-ever Senior Men’s team win for GB and NI – with fellow Scots Robbie himself and Andy Douglas both inside the top ten as they placed seventh and ninth respectively. In fact, Douglas, who leads the World Cup Series, was the third counter had to hold off the threat of Italy’s Martin Dematties for ninth place – and that ensured GB took gold on 17 points by a single point from Italy on 18.

PB 2019 | ISSUE 2

‘And, ultimately, you want to do the hill justice, don’t you? ‘I want to say a big thank-you to everyone who has supported me along the way both today and previously.’ Racing over a 10k uphill only course, Adkin became the first Brit to win a Senior European hill title since Emmie Collinge in 2016.

Many congratulations to Jacob, his family, coach Robbie and all involved in his development over the years into a worldclass hill runner.

Jacob oozed class as he tore away from the opposition, winning in the end by 25 seconds from Norways Overgaard Aarvick Stian and Italy’s Xavier Chevrier.

Two Scots featured in the Junior Women’s race as GB and NI were placed fifth.

‘I didn’t have any specific expectations coming into the race,’ said Jacob, who was sixth in the World Champs last summer.

Lauren Dickson of Lasswade was the second British athlete home as she was home in 12th place, with Edinburgh AC’s Pippa Carcas in 26th place in her first appearance for GB.

‘Clubs and coaches are key to elite level success’ - Paula Radcliffe

aula Radcliffe can’t wait to celebrate the power of athletics in Scotland later this year.

The Women’s Marathon World Record holder and BBC Sport analyst will be our Guest of Honour at the FPSG Awards Dinner in Glasgow on Saturday 23 November. And Radcliffe is in no doubt that it is the solid groundwork put in by dedicated coaches and forward-thinking clubs over many years which has helped provide the pathway towards current success.

‘Eilish McColgan continues to go from strength to strength and I look forward to seeing what she can do this year. It’s also exciting to see Andy Butchart bounce back from his injury and pick up where he left off.

‘It is an honour and a pleasure for me to come to Glasgow in November as Guest of Honour for the scottishathletics FPSG Awards Dinner,’ said Paula.

‘Eilidh Doyle and Zoey Clark have had a lot of success on the track in relay events and we saw Beth Dobbin make a breakthrough at 200m last year in Berlin by reaching the European final.

‘Scottish athletics is so strong and inspiring right now and I am sure 2019 is going to see that impact continue to grow and follow the pattern of recent years.

‘Finally, what a joy it was to see Callum Hawkins run so well in the London marathon after that dramatic collapse on the Gold Coast.

‘I am pretty certain my visit will confirm that it’s the enthusiasm of clubs and volunteer coaches at grassroots level which has been the solid platform for elite level performances. ‘The successes of Laura Muir inspire so many people, and her courageous and attacking style of racing is exciting and fun to watch. ‘To see her training partners following in her footsteps under the watchful eye of coach Andy Young is a pleasure and demonstrates all of their hard work. Scottish women are out in force covering UK middle distance!

any congratulations from all at scottishathletics to recipients in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list from our sport.

‘The UK men’s middle distance is clearly in safe hands thanks to the Scottish too, with Jake Wightman, Josh Kerr, Chris O’Hare, Neil Gourley and Guy Learmonth all showing good form. to one and all as the doyen of statisticians for our sport and he also has a role as our official historian.

There are few things we like better than seeing volunteers rewarded for their timeless Dave Campbell dedication and commitment to athletics in receives the OBE for Scotland on a week-by-week basis. voluntary services to And that is absolutely the case once again athletics - Dave is this for those who have received richlya hugely respected merited accolades on the latest Honours list, figure in the coaching family and has played issued in early June. a significant role in the lives of countless Arnold Black receives the MBE for voluntary athletes, including Chris O’Hare and Josh services to athletics - Arnold will be known Kerr, to name but two.

‘Callum, who is coached by his dad Robert, has shown real toughness and willingness to work hard and commit - which I think is reminiscent of his advisor, Steve Jones. In London, Callum clearly showed that he is back to his best with much more to come from him. ‘Steph Twell is another Scot who so often comes up with good performances and we are seeing that now from Steph on the roads.’ And Richard Brickley receives the OBE for services to disability sport (with athletics in Fife very much part of that). *Former athlete Susan McDonald receives the BEM for her contribution to community sport, health and well-being in Renfrewshire. As a Kilbarchan AAC athlete, Susan (then Crawford) was a Scotland international athlete in middle and long distance. It is great to see these contributions being recognised!

scottishathletics

Loughborough International

Loughborough launch-pad Maguire urges athletes to be brave and think big

tephen Maguire had a captive audience at Scotland’s hotel base prior to the 2019 Loughborough International when athletes gathered for a team meeting on the eve of the event.

If there were one or two youngsters too shy to publicly answer his question on those with big aspirations, then some of the performances the following day hinted at further promise.

And our Director of Performance and Coaching didn’t miss the chance to stress that everyone in the room should not be afraid to harbour Commonwealth or Olympic ambitions.

It was always unlikely that the unprecedented nine individual wins of the previous year could be replicated with the likes of Beth Dobbin and Kirsten McAslan on the sidelines this year.

Stephen used Nick Percy’s NCAA discus victory in only his second year at college in the United States as a marker when announcing the thrower as our Loughborough captain – and urged others not to put a ceiling on their hopes.

But there were still some good performances led by our throwers. Team captain Percy and fellow discus thrower, Kirsty Law, on the occasion of her 12th appearance for Scotland at the Loughborough Inteernational, delivered event wins and there was a solid return to the international stage for Rachel Hunter in the hammer. It was a decent day for our Men’s sprinters – arguably one of the best in recent years in collective terms, in fact, as six athletes went under the 11-second mark in what is very much an earlyseason event as they went close to PBs.

PB 2019 | ISSUE 2

Adam Thomas took third place for Loughborough with a 10.38 and Greg Kelly was fifth in that match race in 10.65. In the guest races, Michael Olsen was at 10.56 and Adam Clayton and Fraser Angus both clocked 10.76 in separate races. Stephen Dunlop was at 10.99.

The 4 x 100m relay team also broke 41 seconds with 40.83 for fourth thanks to Clayton, Angus, Cameron Tindle and Kelly. Six Scots made their Senior international bows in the person of Stephen Mackenzie, Patrick Taylor, Craig Charlton, Billy Doyle, Ellie O’Hara and Eloise Walker and Doyle joined the GB Juniors team which included Alessandro Schenini and Miraji Ahmed. Schenini took third in the Match long jump with 7.37m - an outdoor PB - as Scotland’s Mackenzie was fifth (7.05m) and Calum Henderson sixth (7.01m). Eloise Walker clocked 9.29.74 in the Women’s 3000m to get inside the European U20 qualifying standard and finish fourth in the Match race. O’Hara did well to take fourth place at the age of 16 in the triple jump – beating the GB Juniors athlete – and pole vaulter Courtney McGuire was chuffed with a second place thanks to a PB clearance of 4.05m. Sprinter Alisha Rees was another with a second place in the match, with 23.96 seconds in the 200m. Percy had been named captain by head coach Stephen Maguire on the eve of the match.

Loughborough International

‘I am pleased to get the win and I think it is expected of you when you are Scotland captain,’ grinned Nick. ‘It’s a nice honour and I’m happy enough to win the event even though I should be throwing better than that. I was chuffed when Stephen told me to captain the team and the night before I said to athletes that it is important they savour representing Scotland on these occasions.’ Law repeated her win of last year with 55.72m in the third round to take full points in the discus at the Loughborough Match for Scotland.

The Scotland athlete, coached by her dad Henry, threw a Season’s Best 62.84m as Jessica Mayho of England took the win in 63.79m. ‘It was good to be back at this kind of competition,’ said Rachel. ‘This time last year I was in hospital with anxiety – so to get out there today and throw solidly feels good. ‘I know I can throw bigger than that and

have been doing it in training, but it was a Season’s Best and moves the distance on a bit from last week at Kilmarnock. ‘‘It felt strange being in the Call Room again for this kind of level of comp. But I just enjoy throwing and I love competing for Scotland. When the kit came through in the week I just sat and looked it at all laid out and felt a lot of pride – anyone who says otherwise is lying.’

‘I’m pleased to get the victory and take the points for Scotland but just a little frustrated with the distance,’ said Kirsty. ‘I know there is a bigger throw in there and it is just a matter of when. I didn’t ‘feel’ that one today but last year the ones I didn’t ‘feel’ were at 51m and 52m so I can definitely see the progress I’ve made. ‘I decided against retiring – again – and in fact I’ve gone the other way again: I’ve cut my hours at work to put more of a focus on my athletics. I still love it and I’m always very proud to throw for Scotland.’ Hunter made a very solid return to international competition with second place in the hammer.

scottishathletics

FPSG District Champs

Photo Special: The FPSG District Champs and National Open events in May drew 2000 entries and there was fun in the sun at three venues â€“ Kilmarnock, Grangemouth and Inverness.

PB 2019 | ISSUE 2

Big thank you to our volunteer photographers who helped capture the action for scottishathletics: Bobby Gavin (West), Steven Adam (East) and Grant Nairn (North).

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#peoplemakeathletics

Kelly Bissett

Kelly makes great start as an Official ‘Kelly joined us as an U11 athlete,’ recalled Club Together Officer Harry Baird. ‘Like many at that age her main interest was 800m and Cross Country. However, a quick look at her participation record shows that over the years she tried no fewer than 17 different events ranging from Triple Jump to 10K!

hen UK Athletics made their Official of the Year announcements, there was satisfaction and no little pride for scottishathletics as volunteers both young and old (er) were honoured. Ron Morrison is a well-kent face around the Scottish endurance scene and has been so influential for so many years. Ron’s ‘UK Endurance Official of the Year’ award was thus richly deserved and a presentation at the Scottish 5K Champs was well-received on the night. But we want to focus here on Kelly Bissett, of Falkirk Victoria Harriers, who was named UKA Young Official of the Year. It followed a highly impressive performance from Kelly at the European Indoors at Glasgow 2019 when she stepped up and impressed many observers in the UK Athletics ranks. Nobody at FVH was surprised, however.

PB 2019 | ISSUE 2

‘Some of these events were to fill team gaps to ensure her club got valuable points so maybe there were early signs that she could contribute to a team effort. ‘As she progressed, Kelly showed an interest in volunteering with Falkirk Vics and Forth Valley Flyers. She has dabbled a bit in coaching and discovered she has a rapport with the younger kids and any athlete with a disability. ‘Nonetheless, her main interest was in Officiating where she started out with the track team then found her niche with the Start team. ‘As a ‘newbie’ she was often too shy to ask for a lift to meetings and often used public transport to reach venues! When Falkirk Vics introduced a Young Volunteer of the Year annual award, Kelly was the first recipient – a very easy choice! ‘Kelly freely admits that the experience gained from volunteering has helped her to develop personally, increased her confidence and provided the qualifications that have enhanced her CV.

‘She is currently at college doing an Access to Physiotherapy course and all at Falkirk Vics and Forth Valley Flyers wish her well for her future endeavours.’ Gordon Staines was the UK Athletics Official who line-managed Kelly at Glasgow 2019 and indeed put her forward for the award. Part of Gordon’s citation read as follows: ‘I decided to take a gamble on Kelly considering her lack of experience at high level meetings - and share responsibilities out equally between herself and the other two assistants which proved to be an excellent decision. ‘On arrival at the stadium on Thursday I met Kelly in the reception when she explained that she was excited but also very nervous which was expected from a young official with no experience of such a meeting at this level with nearly full capacity crowds. I took her to meet the other members of the team who welcomed Kelly and immediately made her feel more comfortable. ‘Her performance at the trial events amazed me for such a young official applying the procedures as was required of her, but the pressure wasn’t on until the following day. ‘On the first day and throughout the meeting she demonstrated her knowledge of the rule/procedure by checking that bibs were correctly pinned; lane numbers were worn and visible, water bottles and tapes were removed from the track and preventing athletes from hurdling until all hurdles were set without me having to remind her once. ‘During the second day of competition she was so relaxed and full of confidence that anyone would have thought that she had officiated in this capacity at such a high level for many years. ‘Kelly continued to perform well throughout the whole meeting without cause to correct her about anything and she should be exceptionally proud of her performance as I was.’

#peoplemakeathletics

Ron’s reward

t’s almost impossible to imagine where athletics in Scotland would be without the huge assistance of a committed volunteer workforce. Whether it is in coaching, officiating, club roles or wider administrative positions (via our Commissions as an example) the sport is forever indebted to these dedicated individuals. Against that backdrop, recognition via awards is always hugely pleasing and scottishathletics loves to celebrate these achievements. So Ron Morrison landing the UKA Endurance Official of the Year title was a moment to savour and the presentation was arranged to take place immediately prior to the Scottish 5k Champs at Silverknowes.

Ron Morrison ‘I was pleased and humbled to receive the UKA Endurance Official award,’ he said. ‘But I should stress that with so many of these kind of things it is a team effort and at scottishathletics we are very fortunate with the commitment and knowledge of our volunteers. ‘I was referee for the 20th time since 1988 at the National XC and it’s always an enjoyable day at Falkirk. The main ability of a race referee is to anticipate any situation that may lead to a DQ and make sure it does not occur. ‘ A Professor at St Andrews University, he sees parallels in working with athletes and committed students. ‘I love helping young people in athletics in the same way I do helping with their PHD or whatever course they are on,’ said Ron, turning to his coaching role.

Ron was on duty as race referee that evening and he was delighted to accept the trophy from John Rodger, Convenor of the Road Running and Cross Country Commission.

‘I never thought I would get into coaching or indeed officiating. But I was persuaded into coaching by one of the other coaches at the club, so went on and got my qualifications.

In 2018-19, Ron has been referee for the Scottish 5K, the National XC, the National Relays, Short Course XC, District XC Relays, Scottish 10k and the Scottish 10-Mile Champs.

‘Now I just get so much satisfaction out of seeing the athletes do well. We can coach them and give them instructions, but to then see them go out there and achieve is wonderful.’

Ron, a keen cross country runner and former U21 Scottish hammer international himself, is of course always associated with Fife AC. His link there stretches back to the 1970s. Asked to pick out a couple of the best athletes he has worked with he selected Andrew Lemoncello and current Paralympic marathon runner, Derek Rae. ‘Andrew has run at two world championships and an Olympics,’ he said. ‘He’s been so dedicated to what he does. ‘Derek Rae is another who trains extremely hard and is easy to coach. He does everything we plan for him and that shows in his performances. ‘One thing Derek is really good at is knowing how his body feels, which is important.’

If you’re going to put yourself through hell, you might as well do it in heaven.

06.10.19

Marathon | 10K | 5K | Wee Nessie lochnessmarathon.com

scottishathletics

Coaching

Nicola Hood

Legacy project Coach Nicola plans to keep up Hood family tradition By Peter Jardine

hen Nicola Hood’s dad – and coach – passed away earlier this year, the GB and Scotland cross country international knew in her heart of hearts what this would mean for her own athletics: picking up the stop-watch and whistle. David Hood’s total commitment to the sport he loved and the young athletes he coached at Nithsdale AC in Dumfries extended to writing out coaching sessions and individual programmes from his hospital bed while fighting cancer. Now the books and coaching manuals he hoarded in the family home could well become essential reading for his daughter as she embarks further on her own coaching journey.

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Nicola, now 28, already has a full-time job in the NHS as a Health Improvement Officer; a life outside athletics with her partner; and a desire to continue her own distance running career.

But abandoning those young Nithsdale athletes simply wasn’t an option. ‘When my dad passed away in early January I knew myself that I’d want to try and maintain his legacy and pick up the reins with the group he was coaching,’ Nicola told PB. ‘He had been diagnosed with cancer last year but then was given the all-clear . . . so it was unexpected and a shock when he died.

‘It has taken a tea cover the coachin was doing!’

Coaching

Nicola Hood has taken a team of about four of us to try and cover the coaching work my dad was doing! He was writing programmes when in hospital at one point. ‘I’ve tremendous help from an Assistant Coach (Fred Muffet) a PE teacher who gives volunteer help (Danielle Beattie) and another former athlete (Gary McCracken) who comes along whenever possible. Together we are making it work.’ Nicola herself is a qualified Level One coach and taking more qualifications is a route she would certainly weigh up taking in the future. The coaching bug might well be genetic: ‘Dad got into coaching almost from the moment he first took me along to athletics,’ recalled Nicola, who represents Dumfries RC, but started out with Nithsdale.

‘I had to come away from athletics for a spell and there really was no prospect of me racing the likes of the National XC at Falkirk and the Inter-Counties at that sad time. ‘But, like dad, I love the sport and I’d already been involved on the coaching side for the latter part of 2018 while he was ill. ‘There’s a good group of about 10 teenagers at Nithsdale and we’ve long sprinters as well as middle distance athletes between the ages of 13 and 18. They had lost their coach, so they needed some help, too, to get back on track. ‘Two or three people were great for me in helping out and filling the gap while I was away from the track at Dumfries for a few weeks but I’m delighted to say I am back now and enjoying my coaching. ‘Actually, I should say that we’ve found it

am of four of us to ng work my dad Nicola Hood

‘He just loved it and immersed himself in it. The beauty of coaching is seeing people progress regardless of the level.

are in the minority but generalisations on why that is the case don’t always fit. ‘Individuals have different goals at different points in their life, I think, so the explanations or reasons won’t always be the same,’ said Nicola. ‘I’m juggling a few things at the moment and that will be a feature for so many coaches at clubs in Scotland. ‘But, in terms of the female coach issue, with our group we’ve myself and another woman plus two men helping out so I like that balance. Young athletes can have all sorts of issues and might need someone to confide in at times; it’s good we’ve women and men. ‘I’m always keen to learn. We’ve had a couple of young athletes with growth issues leading to injuries and that takes you down a path of trying to find out a bit more, talking to the parents and a therapist, tweaking the programme for an individual at a certain stage. ‘There really are so many aspects to coaching . . .’ David Hood knew that for sure. Nithsdale AC are fortunate his legacy looks firmly intact via the family connection.

‘We’d a girl come along here a year or two ago and her only target was to run two laps without stopping. She now loves pulling on spikes and she’s pretty quick over 300m. ‘We’d a medallist at the U15 Age Group indoors and success rubs off on others. Besides, I just love seeing kids enjoy their athletics and knowing they are there at the track instead of getting up to something else is another factor, maybe with my NHS hat on. ‘I do have ambitions to get more coaching qualifications and move up a level or two but not right at the moment. I think at 28 I’m at the younger end of the coaching scale in Scotland!’ Female coaches in the UK

scottishathletics

Coaching

Stephen Maguire

‘I understand why coaches are labelled as volunteers – but many are very professional indeed in their outlook and approach. We have to put a strong value on coaching.’ By Euan Crumley

is out and about speaking to the athletics community, there are still those willing to go on a journey which he says has hugely similar parallels to that of the athletes themselves.

‘I’ve heard it said that a governing body does not make an elite coach and that’s so true. Becoming an elite coach has to come from within,’ says Stephen.

‘The coach’s journey is no different from the athlete’s journey, really. The athlete will train and get better from a physiological or physical capacity whereas a coach has to broaden what their model is, to understand it and develop a coaching philosophy. ‘I like the American attitude where they call training sessions ‘practice’, because you are actually practicing and it’s okay to make mistakes.

Athletes take their first steps on that road, of course, when they are introduced to some ‘That’s my coaching philosophy. A practice sort of training set-up and come under the or training session, that’s what it’s about guidance of a coach. – you make mistakes. Hopefully you learn from them and you don’t make them in And few know better than Maguire just competition. how important that work is even if often it appears to be under-valued to the wider ‘Coaching is no different. You’ll make public. mistakes and I haven’t met a coach yet who hasn’t made a blunder or 10. Every elite But he is heartened to find that, when he coach will reflect on their career and think ‘if only’, you know? But every coach has to PB 2019 | ISSUE 2 learn.’

Stephen Maguire at the launch of the Joma Scotland International kit

Laura Muir and coach Andy Young it’s brilliant to be an U14 coach and then to develop that open and honest relationship with people that ‘you may need help for this athlete to realise their potential’ – that it’s not anybody’s property. ‘Sometimes I hear ‘this is my athlete’. None of it is MY athlete. This is a person who chooses to do track and field and it’s up to us all to put the right structures in place to help them be the best they can be.’ *This article first appeared in Athletics Weekly

scottishathletics

PB Interview

Callum Hawkins

Flying SO

Callum out on own at top of all-time list after By Peter Jardine

t’s pretty plain that Callum Hawkins knows marathon running. And marathon training. Even though a fair slice of the latter is carried out on his lonesome. But does he know marathon runners? He has elder brother Derek for company – the pair were of course Olympians together in Rio back in 2016 – and the Hawkins family are close to marathon ‘newbie’ Steph Twell as well as Kilbarchan AAC legend, Hayley Haining.

conditions might be on the day. There are no guarantees.’ Hawkins knows this from personal experience, of course, and exorcising the ‘ghosts’ of the Gold Coast 2018 and that collapse on an Australian bridge was a hurdle he had to clear in 2019. ‘I was due to race the marathon again towards the end of last year in Japan and we’d had a decent build-up,’ he recalled.

‘But a couple of weeks before I felt my hamstring slightly and both my dad, who is my coach, just didn’t feel it was worth the risk of making it worse and then losing even The names at the top of the Scottish all-time more time. men’s marathon list are no more than that ‘I still went out to Japan and it was a great to Callum, however. Just names and that trip. hasn’t really changed since he catapulted to the very top of the Scottish marathon roll of ‘To be honest, it didn’t feel like a huge honour with that memorable 2.08.14 run at mental barrier to complete the race in the Virgin Money Giving London Marathon London. I was thinking more about running in April. fast, rather than just finishing. That was the approach. Allister Hutton was the previous record holder with a run of 2.09.15 set fully 35 years ago back in 1985. John Graham was the erstwhile second-placed on that list, with a run of 2.09.18 set four years prior to Hutton’s mark.

‘Having said that, I did have a wee wobble at the 40K point and my head just went a bit for a moment. I just had to grind out the last 2K and make sure I did get it done.

‘I don’t know too much about Allister Hutton, who held the Scottish Marathon Record for many years,’ Callum told scottishathletics.

‘However, it was a good run. The last 5K were actually quicker than Mo Farah’s last 5K! His last 1K was definitely faster because I just needed the finishing line to come by that stage.

Photo by Mark Shearman

‘But John Graham, one of the other guys prominent on the all-time list with a 2.09 marathon run did get in touch with me shortly before I raced in London.

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‘John sent me a personal message and said ‘Good Luck, that Record really needs to be broken as it has been around far too long’. ‘It was an encouragement for me and he didn’t need to take the trouble so I appreciated that gesture. ‘Getting the Record was something that was very much a target or a plan but there are no certainties in athletics and especially in a race like the marathon. You never know how the pace might be, how it might tell on you in the latter stages or how the

SCOTTISH ALL-TIME MARATHON LIST Callum Hawkins 2.08.14 2019 Allister Hutton 2.09.16 1985 John Graham 2.09.28 1981 Jim Dingwall 2.11.44 1983 Fraser Clyne 2.11.50 1984

PB Interview

OLO

r good luck message

Callum Hawkins

CALLUM’S

PLAY-LIST

Insight: er

ptemb e – Se and Fir d in W g Earth, Bang a Gon r e – T.Rex iden – Troop Destroy a d Iron M a – Seek an ic Metall

because, as I’ve discovered, that can be the worst element!’ Occasionally, Callum is asked how he switches off from marathon training and racing. Heading for the Highlands is one option.

He scythed 62 seconds off the previous best set by Allister Hutton and he is the only athlete to have broken into the top five of the Scottish all-time rankings since the early to mid-1980’s.

‘I had a bit of down time after London. So I took a road trip up to the North of Scotland and it was fantastic – it was something I’d never done and bits of Scotland I’d never seen.

Callum’s time equates to roughly 18 seconds for every 100m; so if you want to get a feel for what it’s like to be a 2:08 marathoner, go to your local running track and try doing just one 100m run at that pace. Then imagine doing it 420 times without a break.

‘Since then it is just a case of easing back into the training; doing a lot of work on the bike then some miles.’

‘I had moved on from the Gold Coast towards the end of last year. I had all of my focus on London, but it’s good to get it off my back. ‘It’s been a tough learning curve. It was completely different to being injured. If anything, you’d rather be injured. This took a bit of time and a few tests but I was patient.’ Now, Doha for the 2019 World Champs and Tokyo for the Olympics in 2020 are very much on the radar. ‘I’m selected for Doha and that’s the main target for 2019,’ added Callum. ‘It will be warm there, of course, but they have put the start of the marathon to midnight to try and help that. The main thing is there won’t be any sunshine

new Scottish record of 2:08.14 at the Virgin Money London marathon in April was a phenomenal performance by Callum Hawkins whatever way you choose to examine it.

‘We ended up driving about 1200 miles in five days and the scenery was fantastic. I will go back again at some point but I don’t mean for a run – I’m not quite ready for the ultra running distances just yet!

‘Publicly, I had said I was looking to get a new Scottish Record and a top ten finish in London and in the end that’s what happened – even though I do feel I can go quicker.

By Fraser Clyne

Car. Bike. Run. Sounds like a triathlon after a fashion. As it happens, he never minds ‘flying solo’ as a great BBC Sport video proved prior to London when they tracked his runs in Arizona as Callum revealed his favourite running playlist. ‘I do almost all my training runs on my own – with my dad on the bike,’ he told us. ‘Others talk about training groups or training partners but this seems to work for me so I’m usually pretty happy running solo.’ One thing is already certain: Callum is now out on his own at the top of the Scottish all-time list.

It’s fantastic to watch someone performing at that level. But to get there requires a considerable amount of blood, sweat and tears to have been split along the way. To be a successful marathon runner you need oceans of mental strength and physical resilience, and Callum has shown he has both in abundance. Nobody could fail to be impressed by the way he has bounced back from the horrors of Gold Coast to produce such a stunning performance in London just 12 months later. The way in which athletes respond to adversity and setbacks distinguishes those who become champions from those who don’t. Callum has clearly demonstrated over the past year that he can handle the most traumatic of all situations and come back stronger and faster than before. He has all the qualities required of a great distance runner: a quiet, single-minded determination,a steely temperament, and a high degree of motivation needed to ensure the hard work gets done day-by-day, weekby-week, month-by-month, even when you don’t always feel like doing it. He also has the composure and ruthlessness needed to perform on the big stage, to get the most out of himself. Don’t be surprised if he takes the Scottish record to another level. And hopefully his achievements will inspire others to realise what’s possible if you apply yourself in the right way.

scottishathletics

Grassroots Athletics

Lindsays Trophy

Giffnock glory Giffnock triumphed by a margin of 35 runners with their 283 tally from Garscube’s 248. Both these clubs had more than 100 finishers at the Lindsays National XC at Falkirk in February. Edinburgh AC took third place with 193. ‘We’re absolutely delighted to see our name on the Lindsays Trophy again,’ added Croy Thomson. ‘Male and female, young and old, fast and not so fast, we take great pride in our efforts over the country, and we’ve always believed in cross country as fundamental to building camaraderie, confidence and success on all surfaces. ‘So winning the Lindsays Trophy is a valued tribute to our endurance runners, as well as recognition for our hard-working coaches, officials and volunteers.

‘They have really helped raise the profile of the events and that broadens the appeal of cross country via the drama and fun.

At the very heart of the conversation was how the partnership could grow the participation by clubs in that strand of the sport while also raising the profile of our National championship events.

‘The Lindsays Trophy is an incentive towards competition, of course, but it’s more than that: it’s a focal point, a talking point that makes more people aware of cross country and stimulates interest and participation in one of our finest sporting traditions.’

‘Over the years, Giffnock North has strongly targeted the big three national cross country events - the National, the National Relays and the Short Course - and we encourage all our endurance athletes to run thn because cross country is not just brilliant conditioning, it’s also a worthwhile challenge in itself and a different, less pressurised kind of fun.

It was a special night for Giffnock when Scottish Marathon Record holder, and double Senior XC title winner, Callum Hawkins joined scottishathletics Chairman Ian Beattie, who is Chief Operating Officer of Lindsays, at training at Eastwood High School to make the trophy presentation.

‘Among multiple team medals over recent years, we’re proud to highlight individuals including Erin Wallace, Luke Traynor and Neil Gourley, who all came up through the ranks, running cross country as youngsters, and putting national titles to their names before earning Scottish and GB honours.

‘I’m delighted to award Giffnock North AC the Lindsays Trophy after another fantastic season,’ said Ian.

*Giffnock North also won the Pat Spence Trophy for overall performance in the female divisions (of all age groups) at the Lindsays National XC at Falkirk in February.

t’s five years now since scottishathletics opened discussions with legal firm Lindsays about potential sponsorship of the Scottish cross country season.

Out of that, the Lindsays Trophy was created as a focal point for clubs over the three main events – which in 2018-19 were at Cumbernauld, Lanark and Falkirk – with the winners being the club with the highest aggregate number of finishers. It’s not just about the winners, though, with the key goal being for as many clubs as possible to get involved in the Lindsays Cross Country Season and build their number of finishers. We’re delighted that is now very much happening across the length and breadth of Scotland with no fewer than 13 clubs tallying more than 100 finishers at three events in 2018-19 – and a terrific total of exactly 100 clubs featuring on the overall Lindsays Trophy list.

‘Athletics in Scotland is going from strength to strength, and we’re also seeing the huge impact the sport is having in local communities across Scotland because of the strength and depth of the clubs, helped by their commitment to increasing participation in cross country.

Giffnock North AC topped that table after fielding no fewer than 283 finishers in the three events. They thus took the trophy with last year’s holders, Garscube Harriers, as runners-up.

‘Lindsays values the opportunity to support athletics in Scotland, recognising the sport’s contribution to the physical and mental health of the nation.

‘Everyone at Giffnock very much appreciates the support from Lindsays for the Scottish cross country season,’ said coach Croy Thomson.

PB 2019 | ISSUE 2

‘With mental health becoming an increasingly important issue for businesses and employers, the links between active, healthy communities and a thriving economy and society are becoming ever more relevant.’

Cambuslang Harriers had previously received the AT Mays Trophy for overall performance in the make divisions at Falkirk this year. Lindsays Trophy Top 10 (Finishers over 3 events) Giffnock North AC 283 Garscube Harriers 248 Edinburgh AC 193 Cambuslang Harriers 167 Central AC 163 Corstorphine AAC 140 Kilbarchan AAC 135 Fife AC 121 Bellahouston Harriers 120 Aberdeen AAC 117

Benefit your club as we invest in the athletics club network

Lindsays is an award-winning Scottish law firm that combines high levels of service with legal expertise to tailor the best possible outcomes and results for you, your family or your business.

Scottishathletics club offer If you use our services, we will give 15% of our final fee for any work undertaken by us back to your club. Our offer applies to the following services: • • • • •

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Grassroots Athletics

Teviotdale Harriers

Harriers keep on running in Hawick By Katy Barden

steeplechase at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh; John Hamilton, a n a town perhaps better highly respected athlete, administrator known for its rugby union and international team manager who was and Common Riding awarded the prestigious Tom Stillie Award heritage, the success of in 1988 for his contribution to the sport; Hawick’s Teviotdale Harriers, and Davie Cavers - a six times Scottish the third oldest running club in Scotland East District cross country champion and after Clydesdale Harriers (1885) and Inter District cross country champion – who Maryhill Harriers (1888), may go largely was selected to represent Scotland in the unnoticed. marathon at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Such is the prominence of rugby in the town, in fact, that the inaugural race for the Teviotdale Harriers Cup in 1894 - an historic three-miler and the oldest crosscountry race in Scotland - was postponed by a week due to a clash with the Gala v Hawick game.

Teviotdale Harriers was formed in January 1889 and John Purdom, one of the founder members, was given the great honour of club captain. By 1894 the club was already well established with 150 members and it soon doubled in size. The club’s junior section – which is thriving today - was formed in 1907 and subsequently a ladies section in 1930. Many notable names are connected to Teviotdale Harriers including Robert Burton, who competed over 800m at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games and remains the club’s only Olympian to date; Colin Hume, a former member of Teviotdale who represented Scotland in the

PB 2019 | ISSUE 2

team trophy in 1991 – the same year they recorded their best ever finish, third, at the famous Edinburgh to Glasgow relay. In fact, between 1986 and 1995 they only once finished outside of the top ten. The team’s record at the National Cross Country Championships was equally impressive with top five places – and a highest place second – between 1989 and 1993. An integral member of that talented team,

‘Although we’ve had National, Commonwealth and Olympians in our 130 year history, we are a family friendly club with participating runners from ages six to 86 and catering for all abilities,’ - President Alan Coltman Cavers, who also had an exceptional record at the Scottish National Cross Country Championships, competed during Teviotdale’s glory days from the mid 1980s through to the mid 1990s. The men’s team was well known, in part due to impressive performances at high profile events including victory in the 1989 Scottish Cross Country Relays in Inverness. They broke the Edinburgh monopoly with three victories in the East District League and won the East District Championship

Alastair “Sammy” Walker, gave up the sport for 20 tears only to make a comeback just before he turned 60. Enjoying a phenomenal return to the sport, he was crowned World Masters 10k champion in 2018 (see p24). At the opposite end of the spectrum, there is a great group of keen, talented youngsters coming through including Eilidh Jaffray (see over page), who represented Scotland at the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon, Iona Jamieson and Fraser Clyne.

Grassroots Athletics

Eilidh Jaffray

Teviotdale Harriers isn’t just about highlevel competition, however. In addition to regional and national events, the club has a busy events calendar of its own including an uphill mile race in conjunction with Hawick’s Common Riding; a Time Trial Series held from April to June; and the annual Hawick Road Races in August featuring a 10k, 5k and Fun Run. It also organises and hosts a primary and secondary schools’ cross country, one of the most satisfying events they’re involved with which regularly sees over 300 junior athletes competing. The club is famously sociable, too. The ‘Opening Run’, where the club captains are unveiled, officially marks the start of the cross country season, while the festive season is celebrated by the Christmas Relays and the New Year’s Day run.

‘Although at Teviotdale Harriers we’ve had National, Commonwealth and Olympians in our 130 year history, we are a family friendly club with participating runners from ages six to 86 and catering for all abilities,’ said President Alan Coltman.

Teviotdale has also hosted a range of Championship events including the infamous, snow-covered 1989 National Cross Country Championships in Wilton Lodge Park where Olympic 800m champion Steve Ovett could only finish fourth. Most recently, the club hosted the 2019 Scottish Masters XC.

‘We are passionate at developing these athletes to their best while still promoting fun and enjoyment. Our coaches and officials take great pride in watching the development of runners in their time with the club and continuing the success and future of Teviotdale Harriers.’

hen 17-year-old Eilidh Jaffray started to train with Teviotdale Harriers, her dad commented that she looked like a fish out of water. It was an apt description, if a little ironic, given Jaffrey’s passion had always been for swimming, a sport she’d committed to for the previous four years. ‘I was a competitive swimmer with the Borders Elite Swim Team, training seven or eight times per week,’ said Eilidh. ‘I represented Scotland East at the British Inter-Counties and I won a bronze medal at the Scottish National Age-Group Championships . . . but I just fell out of love with it.’ Jaffrey linked back up Teviotdale – where her parents held a family membership – towards the end of 2017, and she’s already making an impact. She was seventh at the 2019 Lindsays’ Scottish National Cross Country Championships in February and followed that up with an impressive fifth place finish at the Scottish Schools’ Cross Country. In March, following another strong

While, by their own admission, they might not be as prominent at the business end of District and National races as they once were, they’re delivering where it matters, and for a club that was formed with the underlying objective of expanding the sporting life of Hawick, with the emphasis on cross-country running, they’re continuing to make great strides.

@TeviotHarriers

performance and fifth place finish at the scottishathletics Young Athletes Road Race Championships at Ingliston, she was selected to represent Scotland U17s at the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon.

expectations, I just wanted to give it a shot and it felt so good to be part of a team again. I really didn’t expect to achieve what I have done.’

‘It was my first time representing Scotland and it was an honour. It was brilliant getting to meet new people and to hear the noise of the supporters around the course.

‘Thankfully I’ve improved a bit since then,’ she laughed.

With a successful winter behind her, Jaffray ‘London was an amazing experience,’ she – who is going to Edinburgh University in added. ‘It was unlike anything I’ve ever done September to study Medicinal and Biological before. Chemistry – is no longer a fish out of water.

‘It wasn’t the best I’ve ever run, and I didn’t make the scoring team, but it gave me a taste of what’s possible.’ Jaffrey’s parents have been hugely supportive of her transition from swimming to athletics, in particular her dad Raymond who is not only her coach, but a competitive runner in his own right. She’s also benefiting from being back at her hometown club and training with a small group of talented juniors who have earned their own District honours in recent years. ‘Teviotdale is such a supportive club, it’s so friendly. I didn’t start running with any

scottishathletics

Grassroots Athletics

Masters

Masterful

Competition no joke now for Sammy

By Katy Barden

fter a hugely successful senior career, Alastair ‘Sammy’ Walker got to 38 years old and decided he was sick of running.

‘I just couldn’t be bothered anymore’, said the reigning M60 World Masters 10k champion. ‘I thought ‘I’m never going to run as a Master’, it didn’t really rock my boat. I thought it was a bit of a joke to be honest.’ He subsequently packed it in and for 20 years he didn’t run a step. At the peak of his career, Walker - who had started running in his late-20s after playing rugby in his youth - was at the heart of a Teviotdale team that was mixing it with the best in Scotland and had the audacity to win the 1989 National Cross Country Relays in Inverness (see linked article on Teviotdale Harriers on p22). His PBs included a 2:22 marathon, 66-minute half marathon, a sub-30 minute 10k and a 30 minute track 10k, the latter good enough to rank him third in Scotland and earn a national vest. He also won the most valuable award in Scottish athletics - the James Flockhart memorial Trophy - when he finished first in the 1990 Shettleston Harriers Six Miles Cross-Country. In his own words, he’d done ‘no’ too bad’ When he returned to the sport two decades later, the road back was a hard one. Literally. ‘Oh aye, it definitely was,’ he admitted. ‘My very first race back Hawick 10k in 2016. It’s two laps. I’d been training a wee bit and I thought I was flying. I thought ‘I’m brilliant, I’m as good as I’ve ever been’. ‘Honestly, I thought I was going to win it then I dropped out after the first lap . . . ‘That was it. I thought if I’m going to do this, I have to do it properly. It was the

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kick I needed. I raced a couple of times then I entered the Scottish Vets in Dundee and finished a distant fourth behind V60 Eddie Stewart. He must have been stored in ice for the last 30 years because he looked exactly the same. That’s when it got serious.’

Cross Country; British Masters Cross Country; Scottish National Masters Cross Country; Scottish National Cross Country (M60); Scottish Short Course Cross Country (M60); and Scottish National 5k (M60). Recent performances considered, it’s perhaps not surprising he’s changed his tune on competing second time around.

A man of his word, Sammy (version 2.0) has since been unbeatable with significant titles including the 2018 World Masters 10k ‘Masters competition?’ he laughed. (he also finished third in the 5k); British Masters 5k and 10k; British & Irish Masters ‘It’s what everyone should aspire to, right?’

Grassroots Athletics

Masters

‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint . . .’ By Charles Bannerman

wenty years ago I stood at a junction in Inverness arguing with an athlete about the half mile difference between running back to the club by my route or the shorter one she stubbornly insisted upon. It didn’t seem a great omen for a move up to 400m, but this has now been turned completely upside down, and that athlete has become the first winner of Scottish championship medals in both a sprint and the marathon. That emerged after the marathon championships at Stirling in April where Lesley Hansen - formerly the prominent Scottish 400m runner Lesley Clarkson struck silver with a PB of 3:04:50. This was a far cry from second place behind Lee McConnell in the 400m championship of 2001 in 55.10 – and more remote still from the attempted coercion of her coach into reducing an already short training run. That initial upward move to 400m bore fruit pretty quickly and, by 2002, Lesley’s achievements included a GB senior vest, an AAA junior title, British Universities gold outdoors (with a PB of 54.44) and indoors and a place in the 4x400m squad at the Manchester Commonwealth Games. However she has also been a rather unlucky athlete. Two days before the inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games at Meadowbank in 2000, Lesley turned an ankle on the kerb in training and had to

captain the Scottish team from crutches. Then, at the following year’s European Juniors in Grosseto, she was named on lap two in the GB 4x400m team before succumbing to food poisoning. With the reserve taking her place, Britain still won gold. We agreed quite early that the issue of pure speed would slightly limit her 400m options, so the 800m soon stood in the wings. That transition came about in 2003 in the Rodger Harkins group after she moved to Glasgow. Just before retiring from the track in 2004, now also with GB U23 honours at 800m, she ran 2:06.74. But, to my considerable surprise, she wasn’t finished there. Shortly before returning North she took to road running - unthinkable just a few years previously - and very quickly posted a 1:31 half marathon. ‘When I stopped competing on the track I felt I needed something socially, to give myself head room and to keep fit,’ she says. ‘That was why I turned to road running but, although I’ve kept my competitive streak,

it certainly isn’t as strong as it was as a 400m runner.’ Progress on the road has not been as meteoric as on the track, but there have been Achilles injuries which limit her interval sessions, and also the birth of two sons. My own coaching has since turned to road running but Lesley’s family commitments, plus her career as a pharmacist, mean that she now works her own programme round these responsibilities, although still asks anything she needs to know. Next came a further move up and she ran 3:08.55 in the 2012 Turin marathon. Nowadays 10K is on the short side although, since and between pregnancies, she has broken 40 minutes several times. Then came that marathon PB at Stirling, where husband Helge was also a member of the winning Inverness Harriers men’s team. One of her next projects is the midsummer Highland Cross 50 mile running and cycling duathlon, a local institution in the North. In our sport you should never rule anything out. Because since the days of needing persuaded to put in the volume needed for the 400m, look what Lesley Hansen - Scotland’s only sprint and marathon medallist - is doing now.

scottishathletics

Para Athletics

Maria Lyle Susan My experience is probably a little different to many parents with children involved in sport. I was Maria’s PE teacher throughout primary school and have been very much involved with Maria’s development as an athlete from day one. Having Maria in my class was great, but up to that point I didn’t have much experience teaching children with a disability. It made me think about the way I delivered lessons and how I could ensure Maria could reach her full potential. I wanted Maria to be involved in PE the same way as her peers. She seemed to have a natural ability for running and this first became apparent during a lesson where we conducted the “bleep test”.

aria Lyle is a top T35 sprinter who, having been diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged two, has gone on to achieve considerable success on the world stage. As well as medals, the Team East Lothian athlete from Dunbar became the first winner of a special award by the Evening Times newspaper as Young Scotswoman of the Year – a real fillip for Scottish Para athletics. But, as Maria and her mum Susan discuss, there have been many highs and lows for them along the way.

Maria My mum is the biggest influence not only in my sporting career, but my life in general. When I was younger I struggled quite a lot. Things didn’t come quite as naturally for me as they did for my peers and often I ended up feeling a bit rubbish about myself. Things drastically changed, however, after one PE lesson. My mum was my PE teacher at primary school. During one lesson, we had to complete the multi-stage fitness test (bleep test). As someone who fell over constantly and ended up with cut knees 90% of the time, you could say I wasn’t that keen to join the lesson. To everyone’s surprise, I was the last one left in the test. That was the first time I’d

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ever felt such a sense of achievement. From that moment, running would become a big part of my life. It gave me a sense of belonging and something to look forward to after school. As my running became more serious I had dreams of winning titles and breaking world records. But for some reason, over the next few years, I found the enjoyment rapidly vanished. My mum would give up lots of her time she would lead my sessions and drive me all over the country so I could compete. She would even take time off work to travel abroad with me or to watch me compete at major championships. Because of this, I would get worried if I didn’t run well. After years of a vicious cycle, before the 2018 European Championships I revealed something to my mum that I have never spoken about before. I broke down and cried for hours expressing how rubbish I felt about myself in both my running and personal life. Running had completely taken over and there was nothing positive. In my darkest moment my mum was there for me. She was the one who listened for hours. She was the one who hugged me. She was the one who made me realise I needed professional help, and a few days later I was diagnosed with having anxiety. From that day, my mum and my immediate family have supported me. They have made me realise that there is more to life than running. That life is so much better when you enjoy it.

Fast forward 10 years, Maria is a Paralympic, world, Commonwealth and European medallist. People may say that’s amazing, but the medals and recognition have not come without personal cost. Being a young funded athlete has its benefits but it also comes with pressure. Over the past four years Maria has struggled with anxiety and the thought of failure started to interfere with her performance. Despite having a very close relationship with Maria, she didn’t open up to me about this until last year, just before the European Championships. Strangely, Maria’s acceptance of her issue has led to a massive turnaround in both her personal life and her performance. Looking back, would I do anything differently as a parent? Of course, I would still have encouraged and supported Maria but I guess my main problem is I am a naturally competitive person, and trying to focus on the bigger picture and not just the running is always going to be hard. Maria’s success on the track has brought about lots of excitement and attention, and it’s hard as a parent not to get swept up in all the hype. Looking back now, I wish I’d paid more attention to Maria’s mental health. As a parent, you are the best-placed person to ensure your child is in a “good place” but it’s also easy to miss because the gradual decline in mental health can be confused with other things. Along with the support from us as a family and her coach, Jamie Bowie, Maria has turned herself around and is back on track in all areas of her life.

Para Athletics

Ross Paterson

Football coach Ross has a big Para goal he dream of making his debut on the world stage is something that is driving T38 400m specialist Ross Paterson in the 2019 summer season.

what myself and my coach John Kinder are working towards. We’ve got a goal that we want to achieve and we have competitions lined up in order to get there.

Red Star AC athlete Ross made his British debut last summer in the WPA Europeans in Berlin, where he took silver in the men’s T38 400m, before returning to the track a few days later and finishing fourth in the 200m.

‘Every competition is basically a cup final for me and if I keep consistent and get faster ‘To look at me when I’m walking you and faster in good time, I’ll be all ready for wouldn’t notice my hemiplegia too much, Dubai.’ although when I’m tired that’s when it Prior to competing in Berlin, the 20-year-old becomes more noticeable,’ he explained.

Stepping out onto the track in a British vest for the first time is a moment that the 20-year-old will not forget in a hurry and is keen to make sure he can be back in a British vest at the WPA Championships in Dubai in November. ‘When I walked out onto the track in Berlin with my British vest on, it was the best feeling ever and it gave me goose-bumps,’ said Ross, who is coached by John Kinder. ‘It was nerve-wracking at first because it was my first time on the line representing my country, but then I just thought ‘let’s just treat this like another race’ and I had all my focus on what I was going to do. “I was just there in the moment and I knew that I had my team behind me and I knew I had to go out and run as hard as I could. That feeling when I crossed the line and seeing that I had a silver medal was like ‘wow’. ‘It really didn’t hit me at first until I was walking away, and that’s when I realised just what I’d done. ‘Now the target is the World Championships. To be selected for the Worlds would mean everything. That’s

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won his first international medals at the CP World Games in Barcelona in August last year, claiming bronze medals in the T38 200m and 400m. The experience of being able to race out in Spain he feels left him in the best possible position heading to the European Championships as it gave him a flavour of what to expect.

‘My time away in Barcelona was exhausting because I had seven races in three days. Especially with it being my first time away competing, it was interesting. The temperatures were high and it really took it out of my legs, especially given it was just before Berlin. ‘The standard of competition was really high and to come away with two medals I was really pleased.’ Paterson is part of the British Athletics Paralympic Futures Programme, which is a key part of the Paralympic Performance Pathway and helps to identify athletes with the potential to win medals at future Paralympic Games, and WPA Championships. ‘It’s a fantastic honour to be on the programme and to have people believing in you and your abilities pushes you even more to want to do well on the international stage,’ he said.

Classified as a T38 athlete, Paterson has right sided hemiplegia, which affects his movement and coordination down the righthand side of his body. He explained what it is like for him competing as a T38 athlete.

‘When I’m running that’s where you can see the coordination problems and the lack of control on my right side. It’s difficult when you’re running around a bend, especially because your brain is telling you one thing, but because I have brain damage affecting the right-hand side of my body, sometimes the muscles don’t always do what the brain wants it to do. ‘When you’re in competitions, it becomes about keeping your form and your knees high and driving round the bend.’ Alongside his athletics, Paterson relaxes by coaching future football stars at local side St Convals, giving kids the opportunity to participate in sport. He feels a great sense of pride to play his part in helping to develop the team and hopes that it will aid him as he looks towards future coaching opportunities. ‘The players see me as a bit of a role model because of what I’ve achieved and a couple of them have started running at their local athletics club after hearing of my experiences. ‘It’s in my plans to get my coaching badges for athletics, but I see that as something further down the line as I still have loads to give on the track first.’

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Grassroots Athletics

Dumbarton AAC

Many happy returns for Dumbarton centurions By Katy Barden

by a meal and drinks; an international trip organised by the club to Palma, Majorca for 2019 is a year of celebration members to take part in the Zafiro Palma for Dumbarton Amateur Marathon Festival; and the introduction of Athletics Club (DAAC) the Centenary Cup which will be awarded as it commemorates its to the club member who has raced most centenary. often this season, decided by a points-based system. To mark such a significant milestone, the club - led by its Centenary Committee - has They may be enjoying big celebration but organised a range of events and special Dumbarton AAC - originally Dumbarton gestures for its members. Harriers when the club started all those years ago - is a relatively small club with ‘It’s been brilliant to be part of such a around 50 members of varying abilities, and special celebration,’ said Laura Johnston, aside from a short break during the Second Centenary Committee lead. World War, the club has been going strong ever since. ‘The club has really got behind our plans and supported all of our ideas. For example, our members were provided with a new centenary vest to wear proudly throughout the year and we have great plans to host a celebratory black tie dinner and ceilidh later this year ‘We organised a birthday party in February to mark the actual date of formation in 1919 as well as a May family day so that members could enjoy the celebrations with the children. ‘We’ve also been working hard to incorporate our birthday celebrations into existing events and to further promote the club. The Dumbarton 10k doubled up as the West District Championships this year which made it extra special. We were able to offer extra prize money to anyone who broke the course record which enabled us to attract some higher profile athletes. ‘It really has been a special year so far and it’s a club I’m very proud to be a part of.’ Additional planned events for 2019 include the Castle to Castle Relay, a scenic lochside run from Carrick Castle to Dumbarton Castle followed

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Teams had to be made up of two groups of four men. The distance was split into 32 sections and each group was responsible for 16 sections with each man covering four stretches. One team ran predominantly on the roads - certainly no easy win given the ‘road’ segments included Rannoch Moor and the Devil’s Staircase - while the other ran the more mountainous sections. The route was different, and arguably tougher, than the West Highland Way and the members of Dumbarton AAC were pioneers.

Arguably, it’s most significant evolution took place in the mid-1990s when the club opened to women for the first time and as a result, its membership increased substantially. Today the club committee is predominantly female and, in recent years, the club captains have also been women.

The club’s Mike Lidwell provided the following apt description - via Scottish Distance Running - in 1975: ‘The pursuit of the athletic ideal may lead to the staging of long distance running events but is not so often associated with the appreciation of scenes of landscape beauty. More often urban scenes are the runner’s lot: seen through a maze of traffic signs and between smoking motors.

Historically Dumbarton AAC is also recognised as a club with great initiative, having developed a Glasgow to Fort William Relay long before the West Highland Way Race was established.

‘Yet the happy union of a good running course and spectacular scenery was achieved by Dumbarton AAC in a long distance relay between Glasgow and Fort William.’

Grassroots Athletics

More recently, the club was a founding partner in the creation of the Polaroid 10k series (now the Babcock 10k series). The series originated following a request to host an anniversary event for Dumbarton Academy and with the club the driving force behind it, the inaugural Dumbarton Academy 500 10k took place in 1982. A year later, it evolved to become the Polaroid 10k series. When the Polaroid sponsorship ended in 2016, Dumbarton AAC, alongside Helensburgh and Shettleston, continued to host its event under the new banner of the Babcock 10k Series, and with the support of the global engineering company – alongside members who help coordinate and take part in the events - the series continues to provide high quality race opportunities for athletes.

Dumbarton AAC

In addition to the special events planned and delivered for the centenary, the club organises various races throughout the year made up of road, hill and cross-country courses designed to test the aptitude of its runners. The club Championship, run from scratch, consists of one road race and one crosscountry race that crowns its fastest runner, while a spring road series and summer hill race series are held in handicap form so that any member is in with a chance of winning. Scottish District and National road and

cross country championships are also well attended, while established road races such as the Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon and the Lochaber Half Marathon continue to attract Dumbarton members – the latter doubling up as one of the club’s main social events with a bus hired for the journey to and from Fort William and a post-event meal. ‘We are a small, tight-knit club catering for Seniors ranging from beginners to experienced runners . . . and we’re a great club to be part of,’ concluded Peter Walsh, Dumbarton AAC chairman.

The 2019 Dumbarton event - which was a centre-piece in the club’s centenary celebrations - was won by GB International and Giffnock North AC athlete Luke Traynor (29:55) with Shettleston’s Fionnuala Ross first lady in a new course record of 34:00. Dumbarton’s main training nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays, and sessions led by club captain Charlene Kelly - are provided by coach and honorary member Colin Martin or by following professionally tailored sessions provided by Scottish Olympian Derek Hawkins. Members also get together at weekends for either a long session or a club run in the picturesque hills that surround the town.

scottishathletics

4J Studios National Athletics Academy Header

‘Sponsor support can help us retain best young athletes’ says Mark Munro

etaining our best young athletes – indeed, as many athletes as possible at all ages – is always a huge goal for scottishathletics as a governing body. The mid to late teens and early 20s are often regarded as key ‘breaking points’ in many careers for those who have shown significant promise up to that stage. Our National Academy was set-up a few years ago with this issue very much in mind, as well as the more obvious target of helping our best-performing teenagers progress to the Senior ranks and fulfilling their potential. With those aspirations in mind, a new sponsorship agreement with 4J Studios to back the full National Academy programme is hugely encouraging. A four-year deal was confirmed in early May and financial support from the Dundee and East Linton based company, who are world leaders in the game development industry, will enhance our opportunities to support athletes and coaches over the next four years. ‘The scottishathletics Academy has already demonstrated success via a very high retention rate in the sport – which is always an issue we are addressing,’ said Mark Munro, chief executive. ‘We’ve done the research and the ‘retention rate’ for our Academy graduates – keeping them in the sport – is sitting around 90 percent which is very positive indeed. ‘Of course, we are also looking for representation on age group teams and championships, be that with Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games for example

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Partnership . . . Mark Munro and Stephen Maguire flank 4J co-founders Paddy Burns and Chris van der Kuyl or GB and NI in European and World age group events. ‘Again, the stats are looking quite good there (in what is a track and field programme, with GB vests being won in XC and Hill Running, too). ‘So I am really pleased we’re able to confirm 4J Studios as new sponsors of The 4J Studios National Athletics Academy. ‘It is such an important programme, offering as it does education and guidance to many of our best young athletes, their coaches and their support teams (parents/ clubs). ‘I believe it’s essential we have support in place for that programme. 4J Studios were keen to get involved and we see this as now giving them a direct association with the progress of the best young athletes in Scotland as well as providing enhanced opportunities for athletes and coaches. ‘I can only see the influence of that ‘pipeline’ growing thanks to the help from 4J Studios and we share the goal of wanting to see these talented athletes stepup to become successful Senior athletes, and hopefully on a global stage.

‘4J Studios are a company who have displayed innovation, creativity and technical excellence in their fields and we hope we can tap into that expertise as part of the partnership.’ The clear goal of The 4J Studios National Athletics Academy is to help and facilitate the progression from talented teenagers to Senior athletes towards GB and Scotland representation as well as retention in the sport. Among the objectives for the partnership therefore are the following: *Support the development of the next generation *Help grow great young ambassadors for athletics *Enhance the delivery of our education programmes *Promote our on-going development work through the right channels Team East Lothian have already benefited from a club partnership with 4J Studios and the company will now be associated with all athletes in The 4J Studios National Athletics Academy programme and their logo will appear on any kit supplied to those athletes. The new agreement with 4J Studios is for four years and thus runs through to the spring of 2023. Mark Munro had led the initial discussions with Paddy Burns, CEO of 4J Studios and was duly delighted to shake hands on what will be an exciting partnership.

4J Studios National Athletics Academy Header Chris van der Kuyl, chairman of 4J Studios, joined the launch photo-shoot in Dundee with Stephen Maguire, our Director of Performance and Coaching, Mark Pollard, National Endurance Lead, and athletes Jack Lawrie and Carmen Neat. Support from 4J Studios will help scottishathletics deliver annually on The 4J Studios National Athletics Academy programme. As it stands, the programme includes: *Residential training camps (usually twice a year)

*Sport service support and regular screening to this new agreement,’ he said. *International competition opportunities or the appropriate level in UK *Education programme for coaches, parents and others in an athlete’s support teams Paddy Burns, chief executive of 4J Studios, is delighted that a link with athletics which began at club level is now being extended further. ‘We’ve been delighted to see the positive effect support from 4J Studios has had on Team East Lothian – and that led indirectly

‘With Team East Lothian, the club was able to increase their community engagement, build a covered strength and conditioning area for young athletes and a covered stand at the track facility (at Meadowmill) thanks to our sponsorship. ‘So it is great for us now to extend our support to scottishathletics as the governing body and we look forward to working with them to help develop the most promising young athletes in Scotland and to lend support to their coaches, parents and clubs.’

Athletes endorse support from 4J Studios

thletes Jack Lawrie and Carmen Neat were delighted to support the launch of the 4J Studios National Athletics Academy.

race in Belgium or somewhere like that, then great. Even the better meets down south where you’ve more depth to the competition.

And both believe that additional support for the programme means good news for the best young track and field athletes in Scotland.

‘The Academy gatherings help you meet others who are thinking the same way and Keira Waddell then there is the education programme which helps coaches and parents learn what (Edinburgh AC) Dougie Cameron it might take to continue progress, too.’ Javelin 4J STUDIOS NATIONAL ATHLETICS Eloise Walker ACADEMY 2018-19 (Edinburgh YEAR ONE AC) John Lees 3000m Bera Ajala (Edinburgh AC) John Scott Triple Jump YEAR TWO:

Sponsorship backing gives scottishathletics greater flexibility on under-writing the programme for the 4J Studios National Athletics Academy collectively – and also to help individual athletes. Hurdler Jack was one of those to join the programme when it first began a few years ago and won GB vests at U23 and U20 European events. High jumper Carmen is in her first year with the 4J Studios National Athletics Academy. ‘It’s great to hear that the National Academy is getting sponsorship backing from 4J Studios,’ said Jack. ‘If that support allows scottishathletics to help athletes and coaches individually as well as collectively then I think that is of real benefit to the sport. ‘I know myself from a couple of years ago that the option of a bit of support to attend competitive opportunities would be really helpful. If this means someone can get a

Scott Brindley (North Ayrshire AC) Mark Stringer Combined Events

Steeplechase Sarah Tait (Lasswade AC) Linda Smith Steeplechase

Fraser Angus (Giffnock North) Ryan McAllister 200m

Isla Calvert (Livingston AC) Sandra Hardacre Matt Chandler (Central AC) Iain McEwan 800m Combined Events Kane Elliott (Falkirk Vics) Willie Sharp 1500m

Adam Clayton (Giffnock North) Ryan McAllister 100m

Joe Ewing (Edinburgh AC) Carol Sharp 3000m

Kirsty Costello (Kilbarchan AAC) Chris Bennett Hammer

Murray Fotheringham (Giffnock North) Colin Sinclair Combined Events

Robbie Farquhar (Aberdeen AAC) Kenny Lyon Long Jump

Georgia Ledingham (Corstorphine) David Arnott Steeplechase

Naomi Lang (Aberdeen AAC) John Lees 3000m

Reuben Nairne (Giffnock North) Brian Donaldson Pole Vault

Seumas Mackay (Shetland AAC) David Wagstaff 800m

Carmen Neat (Aberdeen AAC) Ken Allan High Jump

Stephen Mackenzie (Pitreavie AAC) Linda Nicholson Long Jump

Callum Newby (Edinburgh AC) Derek Johnstone Combined Events

Lewis Pentecost (Falkirk Vics) John Pentecost Steeplechase

Ellie O’Hare (Edinburgh AC) Linda Nicholson Triple Jump

Cameron Wright (Kilbarchan AAC) Robert Hawkins Steeplechase

Magnus Tait (Lasswade AC) Linda Smith

scottishathletics

Hill Running

Andy Douglas

Don’t put a summit on your ambitions says GB international hill runner ANDY DOUGLAS Andy Douglas is currently one of Britain’s most successful mountain runners, consistently performing well at the European and World Mountain running championships since 2014 (placing 6th at the Worlds 2015). But, prior to competing on the hills, Andy was one of Scotland’s top road/cross country runners. Here Andy chats about transferring his focus to the hills.

How successful were you on the road/XC/track?

From earning my first Scotland vest when the Home Countries International Road Series took place back in 2010, I have represented Scotland on a number of occasions on the Road and XC. Probably my best results in a Scotland vest were winning the Frank Duffy 10-mile race in Dublin in 2010 and 2014; and in XC winning the Home Countries International in Falkirk in 2016.

Why did you decide to try mountain/ hill running?

From around 2012 my ultimate goal was to qualify for the marathon in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014. During the qualification period I kept sustaining multiple injuries that left me frustrated and unable to make the improvements in race performances that would give me a realistic chance of achieving my target. After the marathon in London (which was the last opportunity to post a qualifying standard) I decided that I needed to try something completely different in order to

PB 2019 | ISSUE 2

rediscover my passion for the sport. Having grown up in a very rural setting in the far north of Scotland, I felt like it was a natural transition to get back to the hills and wide open spaces so that’s when I decided to target mountain and hill racing.

How has your training changed, do you include specific sessions for hill work?

My coach (Sophie Dunnett) and I work together in adapting my training slightly to prepare me for specific types of mountain racing. I still maintain key 5k/10k type flat sessions all year round, however in the Spring we start to introduce longer hill reps which can total almost an hour long in duration (even longer sometimes!) so that my legs get used to longer, sustained climbing and descending. Sophie can get pretty creative with some of the hill reps sessions she gives me, and I can guarantee that they will stretch my limits of endurance!

What new skills has mountain running given you?

I think there have been a number of benefits both physically and mentally that mountain running has given me. Physically, I’ve improved my core strength more so than training just solely for the roads did for me, and I probably have a bit more strength endurance from the uphill aspect. I do believe my attitude in racing has improved as well and perhaps I have

‘Hill running my attitude competing resilient now

Hill Running

g has helped towards - I’m more w’

Andy Douglas become more resilient than I used to be, because in mountain running you realise how much strain your body is capable of going through and I like to think that I can transfer that now to road racing and xc.

Many runners new to the sport struggle with the descents. Do you have any words of advice?

It’s definitely something that is key to being a successful mountain runner and needs to be practiced. When I compare myself to others, descending on more technical ground is definitely not my forte! It is something that I’ll continue to work on, and my advice to others is to incorporate fast descents into your hill reps. Always try though to strike a balance whereby you don’t put yourself at serious risk of injury.

How has hill running affected your overall performances on road and cross country?

I would say so far it has complemented each other well. On the road, I set my current half marathon PB in 2016, two years after beginning to race on the hills; and at the end of last year I came within four seconds of my 10k PB at Ribble Valley. It tends to take a couple months after the

mountain running season has finished for me to build the speed back up in the legs for road and xc, but injury-permitting, I find I can get into my peak road/xc shape by the start of the new year.

Were you successful in your first season or did it take a few years to get it right?

Much to my surprise I made the GB Mountain Running Team at the first time of asking for both the European and World Mountain Running Champs back in 2014, and won my first British Mountain Running title that very same year. Much credit needs to go to my coach Sophie who made sure I was well prepared for both trial races, and I got a lot of great advice from Robbie Simpson when I was on the team so it made the transition pretty seamless.

Any words of advice for athletes wishing to give hill or mountain running a go?

As with anything in competitive sport, preparation is key. So, if you’re new to this kind of endurance running, speak to your coach or someone you know who has raced on the hills and start incorporating hill reps into your training. Try and target something low-key to race in at first so you can enjoy the experience. There are many hill races across Scotland that are on throughout the year (www.scottishhillrunners.uk) and you’ll discover a really friendly and approachable community within Scottish hill running. If you would like any information about the hill running scene in Scotland or further afield feel free to contact Angela Mudge, SA National Lead for Hill and Mountain Running angela.mudge@ scottishathletics.org.uk

scottishathletics

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