Laura Adam (4), leading from Christine Price (3), Karen Macleod (2) and Sandra Branney (5) in the SWAAA Championships
Patricia Affleck was born on 13/2/1957 and ran for Gala Harriers. She became Scottish Marathon Champion in 1998. In the Scottish annual rankings, she was in the marathon top seven four times, with a personal best of 2.57.50. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Patricia won W40 silver medals, behind the great Trudi Thomson, in 1999 and 2000. In 2002, when Patricia Affleck became W45 Champion, Gala Harriers won the team award.
Barbara Anderson was a Scottish middle distance and XCross- ountryrunner in the 1930s. In the Scottish Women’s Cross-Country Championships, she was: third in 1932 (running for Shettleston H); 4th in 1934, when Shettleston finished third team; 7th in 1936, when her next club Clydesdale H finished first team; and in 1938 second, representing Bellahouston H, which finished second team. Barbara ran for Scotland in the 1935 International Cross-Country match versus England. In the 1930s, the longest track distance that women were permitted to race was 880 yards; Barbara won a Scottish Championship silver medal in 1935.
Rhona Anderson (born 25/01/1964). Dunbar Running Club.Her brother-in-law (Alan Robson, a former Scottish Half Marathon champion) encouraged improvement in road races. Rhona’s half marathon pb was 1.25.00; and, as a veteran, she came close to breaking three hours for the marathon. Although she started running in her 20s, she continued to achieve much later, winning Scottish W50 and W55 XC titles; and representing Scottish Veterans in the annual British and Irish Masters XC Championships (where she contributed to W50 team silver medals). Rhona also secured a silver medal in the Masters division of the Scottish Half Marathon Championship; and won Masters gold in the Scottish Marathon Championship.
Sonia Armitage: see McLaren
Julie Armstrong, Giffnock North, Glasgow, was a very good road and cross-country runner with several very good victories such as the Falkirk Half Marathon to her credit. She was also an able track athlete with best times of 4:47.6 (1500m 1990), 10:01.6 (3000m 1990), 17:41.4 (5000m 1990, ranked 4th), 36:28.6 (10000m 1989, ranked 4th) and a marathon time of 3:00.04 in 1992 which ranked her 6th Scot. The 1989 time was recorded when finishing second in the SWAAA 10,000m.
Margaret Baillie, Fife AC, was born in 1952. In the 1984 Dundee Marathon, Maggie won the race and set a fine personal best time of 2.51.12, which ranked 5th in that year’s Scottish list. Later, in the 1984 Aberdeen Marathon, she won a silver medal in the Scottish Marathon Championship.
Kirsty Baird (29.08.71, Kirkintilloch Olympians, City of Glasgow, Victoria Park City of Glasgow) was a good runner over 400m, 800m and 1500m from 1987 to 2007. Popular with other runners, Kirsty had best times of 58.7 (400m); 2:10.97 (800m), 4:37.89 (1500m) and 10:53.75. Competitively her highlight was when she was third in the 800m in 2003 and third in the indoors 800m in 2001,
Georgina Ballantine (full profile on anentscottishrunning.com) was a cross-country and track runner in the 1930s. She finished fourth in the 1936 Scottish Women’s XC Championships, when her team – Clydesdale Harriers – won the title. In 1938, Clydesdale won again and Georgie secured an individual silver medal. On the track she raced 880 yards (winning many handicap events) and the Medley Relay. Clydesdale (including Georgie) won the Scottish One Mile Medley Relay Championship in 1936 and finished second in 1937.
Ann Barrass (married name Parker) was born on 13th August 1951. Her club was Aldershot, Farnham and District AC. She ran very well at 3000m on the track. In 1971 she finished third in the AAA 3000m; and improved to a silver medal in 1972. She was Scottish 3000m champion in 1972 and 1973. In the Scottish National XC, Ann won four successive bronze medals (1971-74) plus silver in 1975. For Scotland, she was a frequent team counter in the ICCU International XC (in 1971; and 1972 when Scotland won bronze medals) and the IAAF World Cross (1973, 1975 and 1976). In 1976 she ran as Ann Parker, not only in the World event but also in a cross-country match against England, Ireland and Wales.
Carol Anne Bartley (married name Thomson) ran for Victoria Park AAC. As a Junior, in 1985 she ran cross-country for Scotland twice in the Billy Morton matches v England, Ireland, NI and Wales, being a team counter on both occasions. In 1986, she won bronze in the Scottish under-17 XC Championships, leading Victoria Park to team gold. As a Senior, Carol Anne raced for Scotland once on the road (10k) and five times cross-country. In two 1990 XC fixtures she was 6th (and first Scot) v England, Wales and NI in 1990, when her team finished second; and second Scot when Kenya won but Scotland beat Australia. On the track, Carol Anne represented Scotland six times, racing 1500m or 3000m. Perhaps her best performance was finishing second in a 1991 International 1500m v England, Wales and USA Juniors. In 1991 Scottish Senior Track Championships, Carol Anne secured a silver medal in the outdoor 1500m; and bronze in the 3000m indoors. In 1998, she won bronze in the Scottish 10k road championship.
Ann Bates was born on 22/4/1958 and ran for Central Region AC. Her running peak was during the Scottish ‘Marathon Boom’ in the 1980s. Ann featured in the Scottish marathon ranking lists three times: 1984 (personal best 2.52.20, ranked 7th); and 12th in both 1985 (2.54.56) and 1986 (2.56.33). Such consistency at a good level made Ann Bates a symbol of that era, when so many were enthusiastic about attempting the challenging 26 miles 385 yards distance. In which races did she compete? In 1984: she finished first woman in the Edinburgh Marathon, in front of Tricia Calder and Jill Danskin; and then ran that 2.52 when third in the 1984 Glasgow Marathon (9449 finished!). In 1985, on a tougher course, Ann Bates won the Loch Rannoch Marathon in 3.3.15, just 15 seconds in front of Carolyn Morrat (Fife AC).
Valerie F. BOTHAMS (19.03.75, City of Glasgow) was a good international middle and long distance runner who ran distances between 600m and 3000m throughout the 1990’s. Highlights of her competitive record include – GB Championships: 2nd AAA 3000m i ’98. Scottish championships: 2nd 1500 ’97, 2nd 1500 ’99; 1st 3000i ’99. Best times: 600m – 1:35.90; 800m – 2:09.7; 1000m – 2:57.98; 1500m – 4:22.7; 3000m – 9:36.50.
Catherine Boyes ran for Maryhill Harriers On the 26th of March 1955, she raced for Scotland v England in an International cross-country match at Ayr, which England won easily. 1st Diane Leather (Eng); 7th Catherine Boyes (Sco) 18 minutes 18 seconds; 8th Aileen Drummond (Sco) 18:40; 9th Elizabeth McLeod (Sco) 18:47; 10th Molly Ferguson (Sco) 19:15; 11th Doreen Fulton (Sco) 19:20; 12th Agnes Elder (Sco). This was a very good run for Catherine since, at the Scottish National XC two weeks earlier, she had won an unexpected silver medal behind the champion Aileen Drummond. The Scots Athlete magazine commented: “All credit must be given to Miss Boyes for her really fine show in finishing second in her first National.” Maryhill Harriers (including Catherine Boyes) won the Scottish team title in 1955 and 1957.
Sandra Branney (Victoria Park AAC, Glasgow AC) was born on 30/4/1954. As a Senior and a Masters athlete, she has been an outstanding racer on track, cross-country and road. Her Championships record includes: a silver medal in the 1989 UK 5000m; Scottish track titles for 3000m (1990); 10,000m (1987); and Indoor 3000m (1988). On the road, Sandra won the Scottish 10k (1996); and 10 Miles (1993). In 1988 and 1989, she not only won the Scottish National XC Championship, but also led Glasgow AC to team gold. Sandra Branney has won titles at every level of Masters Athletics: Scottish, British, European and World, at 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m. She reckons that her finest race was breaking the W55 3000m record with 10.13.8 (which had an age-graded score of 103.2%. In 1989, she raced for Scotland over 3000m three times (against Greece, Ireland, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and Belgium. Between 1986 and 1996, Sandra ran for Scotland five times on the road and twice on cross-country. In 1997, Sandra Branney represented GB at Seoul in the World Marathon Cup.
Tracey Brindley (Aberdeen AAC, Carnethy HRC, Ochil Hill Runners) was born on 25/8/1972. In the East District Track Championships, she 5000m gold in 1997 and 1998. In the Senior National XC Championships, Aberdeen AAC won team gold in 1999, with Tracey securing individual silver. In the East District XC Championships, she won individual bronze in 1997 and 1998. AAAC won team gold in 1998; and also won the East District XC Relays in 1997 and 1998. In 2004, Tracey Brindley (Carnethy HRC) won individual gold in the Scottish 10k road Championships. Racing for Scotland, she won Individual Gold in the Snowdon Mountain International in 2002; and was Scottish Hill Running Championship in 2005 and 2011. Between 1997 and 2004, Tracey Brindley ran for Scotland four times on cross country and once on the road. In the World Mountain Running Championships, racing for Scotland, Tracey won Individual Bronze in 2003 and Individual Silver in 2005. Along with Angela Mudge and Lyn Wilson, she contributed to Team Gold in 2003. In the European Mountain Running Championships, competing for GB, Lyn Wilson and Tracey Brindley secured Team Gold in 2005; they had already won Team Bronze in 2004.
Alison Brown was born on 11/4/57 and raced for Greenock Rankin Park, and Edinburgh Southern Harriers. She seems to have had a very short career. In 1974, Allison won the Scottish Schools 800m and 1500m titles. Then she won a bronze medal in the Senior Scottish 1500m. In 1975, Allison Brown was 8th in the Scottish Senior National XC. She was selected to run for Scotland, first in the IAAF World Cross at Rabat, Morocco, where she finished fifth Scot. Then she was fourth Scot (and a team counter) in the Home Countries XC match at Coatbridge v England and Ireland. She seems to have retired after 1977.
Caroline Brown ran for Fife AC. In the 1991 Scottish 10k road championships, she won a silver medal. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Caroline led her team to victory in 1993 (when she was fourth – and second W35); and in 1994 (when she finished fifth). Fife AC added team silver in 1995.
Rhona Buchan ran for Aberdeen AAC. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Rhona won a silver medal in the W35 age-group; and Aberdeen won team silver. In 2008, she added W40 silver; and, in 2010, W40 bronze and AAAC won team bronze. Rhona also featured in Aberdeen teams that won the Masters division of the Scottish XC Relay in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
Georgena Buchanan running second behind Madeleine Ibbotson
Georgena Buchanan (Craig, from 1966) was born on 17/7/1942 and ran for Maryhill Ladies and Western. Georgena was a Scottish track champion four times (880 yards 1963-1965 and One Mile in 1964). She added silver and bronze medals in these events; plus a bronze in the 1966 Pentathlon. In the Commonwealth Games, Georgena Craig ran 880 yards in 1966; and 800m in 1970 (where she finished 7th). She set new Scottish 880 records on five occasions; and raced nine times for Scotland (at distances between 440 yards and 1500m). Georgena Buchanan won the Scottish cross-country title in 1965 (as well as securing individual silver in 1962 and 1964). She contributed (for Maryhill Ladies AC) to team gold in 1964; and (for Western AAC) silver (1969) and bronze (1965 and 1970).
Anne Buckley was born on 20/6/1967. She is English and has run for Salford Harriers, Bingley Harriers and Pudsey & Bramley. [Anne says that she had her best runs for Pudsey & Bramley (winning the North of England XC championships and finishing fifth in the English National XC)]. However, she got to know several Hunter’s Bogtrotters, notorious and otherwise (for example at the Isle of Man Running Festival), started competing for the club in Scotland and has been a member of HBT since the 1990s. Anne has many amusing memories of club races and ‘rehydration sessions’. During 1993-1994, Anne completed a PGCE at Jordanhill in Glasgow. In the Scottish Senior National Cross-Country Championships, she won individual bronze medals in 1997 and 2000. Personal bests: 3000m 9.41.71; 10,000m 35.10.55; Marathon 2.43.54. Anne finished third in the 1993 Scottish Athletics 3000m. She raced six times in the World Mountain Running Trophy/Cup; and twice in the European Mountain Running Championships. Later, Anne Buckley became Team Leader for the GB and NI Mountain Running Team and Chair of Selectors.
Kathy Butler (born 22/10/1973) had previously competed for Canada in the 1996 Olympic 5000m. However, she had been born in Edinburgh (with English parents). Kathy changed allegiance to the UK in 2000 and she ran well in the 2001 World Cross Short Course event, for which she was selected again in 2003. Running for Windsor SEH, Scottish 1500m titles were won in 2000 and 2002. In 2001, She ran the World Championship 3000m Indoors and 5000m. In 2004 she won the AAA 10,000m (a title she retained a year later) and finished 12th in that event at the 2004 Olympics. Kathy Butler specialised in 10.000m and was 12th in the 2006 European Championships and (running for Scotland) 7th in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Between 2000 and 2006, Kathy was usually first in the Scottish rankings: at 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m and marathon (2.28.39 in 2006).
Jackie Byng ran for Irvine AC. In 1991, she finished third W35 in the Scottish Senior Women’s National XC. In the 1992 Scottish 10k Road Championships, she won a bronze medal. Jackie Byng won the W50 Scottish Masters XC title in 1995 and 1997; and became W55 Champion in 2000.
Carol Cadger (born 14/9/50) ran for Perth Strathtay Harriers. She was a marathon and ultra-marathon runner. In both 2000 and 2001, Carol won silver medals in the Scottish Marathon Championships. She won four gold medals in the Scottish 50 km event (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2002). Carol Cadger ran for Scotland in the Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km three times, including fourth place in 1999 and third in 2000 – she won the Scottish title on both occasions.
Lindsay Cairns (married name McMahon) was born on 1/6/1971 and ran for Kilmarnock Harriers. She became Scottish 10,000m champion in 1997; won three silver medals at that distance (1993, 1994, 1996); and another silver in the 1997 5000m. Between 1994 and 1998, Lindsay ran for Scotland twice on the road (at 10k) and five times on cross-country, in the British XC Championships and other contests. In 1996, at Margate, she finished second Scot in a match v Ireland, England, France and Wales. In 2001, Lindsay McMahon won individual silver in the Scottish Senior National XC Championships. Her club, Johnny Walker Kilmarnock AC, in the Scottish XC Relays, won team silver in 2000 and bronze in 2001. They also won bronze in the 2001 Scottish Road Relays.
Elaine Calder (born 26/4/1962) was a marathon and ultra-marathon runner who competed for Strathaven Striders. In both 2002 and 2004, she won silver medals in the Scottish Marathon Championship. She won the Scottish 50km Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2010. Elaine Calder ran for Scotland in the Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km three times, including fourth place in 2007 and third in 2008.
Patricia (Tricia) Calder (born 17/9/1952) was a durable athlete who raced for Duns and also Edinburgh AC. She ran well on cross-country, road and (especially) hills. Her marathon personal best was 2.48.36 (narrowly second to Ann Curtis) at Dundee in 1985. Racing for Scottish Veterans, Tricia was the leading Scot in the first two British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country events. In 1988, she won individual and team silver; and added another individual and team silver in 1989. In 1992, Tricia Calder ran as a Senior for Scotland in an International 10k road race in Cardiff, when the Scottish Women’s team won, defeating England, Wales and Ireland.) For Scotland, Tricia contributed to Scottish team bronze medals in the 1988 and 1990 World Mountain Running Championships; finished first Scot in this fixture four times; and was also Scottish W35 XC Champion in 1989. Racing for Scotland, she won the Snowdon Mountain International in 1990 and 1992. Tricia Calder was Scottish Hill Running Champion in 1989, 1990 and 1991.
Mary Campbell (Maryhill Harriers) was a consistently good cross-country runner. In the Senior National XC, she finished 7th in 1955. She was 6th in both 1956 and 1957, when Maryhill Harriers won the team titles. Mary ran for Scotland v England in two cross-country matches: in 1956 at Upminster; and in 1957 at Musselburgh.
Mary Campbell (Speedman) was born on 21/4/45 and ran for Bellahouston, Maryhill Ladies and London Olympiades. On the track, Mary Speedman competed for Scotland in the 1970 Commonwealth Games 800m.Mary won the Scottish 800m title in 1969 and 1974; finished second in 1971 and 1973; and also secured bronze medals at 220 yards and 800m. In 1965, Mary Campbell ran a world indoor best of 1:24.3 for 600 yards at Cosford and ran for GB v USA. She was a Scottish International on track (indoors and outdoors) and cross-country. In 1969, Mary Speedman became Scottish Senior National XC Champion and led Maryhill Ladies AC to the team title. She contributed to team silver in 1970 and 1971,
Alison Carr was born on 30/8/1966 and ran for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers. In 1996, she enjoyed a lot of success. In the Senior National XC, she was sixth and led DHH to team bronze. Then she raced three cross-country international matches for Scotland: at Mallusk v England and Ireland where she was second Scot; at Ashington for the BAF Championships; and at Margate, v Ireland and England, where she was first Scot. Then Alison won a silver medal in the Scottish 5000m Championship. In the 1996 Scottish 10k road race, Alison was fifth and raced for Scotland at the Glasgow 10k, where Scotland lost to England but beat Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 1998, Alison Carr set a personal best time for the marathon of 3.07.36.
Sheila Catford was born on 29.08.60 at Dundee but lived afterwards in Yorkshire and ran for Leeds City AC. She won the Glasgow Marathon in 1987; and the Glasgow Half Marathon in 1988, as well as several English road races. Sheila was first in the Scottish Marathon ranking lists in 1988 and 1990; and second in 1987, 1989 and 1991. She ran consistently fast – always under 2.40, with a very good personal best of 2.33.04, when 11th in London 1989 (which beat Lynda Bain’s Scottish Best time). In 1991, Sheila Catford, representing Scotland, finished a good 9th in the Commonwealth Games Marathon.
Helen Cherry (Donald) was born in 1940 and ran for Bellahouston Harriers. In the1957 Senior National Scottish Cross-Country Championships, Helen finished a good 3rd. Consequently, she ran XC for Scotland in 1957 at Musselburgh v England. She finished fourth Scot. Scandalously, after 1957 there were no more XC international matches for Scottish women until 1975. There were also absolutely no international opportunities for top Scottish middle-distance track athletes like Helen Cherry. However, in the 1958 National, Helen was 3rd again and Bellahouston Harriers won the team title. She secured silver medals in the 1959 Scottish One Mile Championship; and the 1962 Scottish 880 yards. Helen Cherry won Scottish Championships three times: 880 in 1961 and One Mile in 1962 and 1963. At British level, she won two bronze medals for One Mile in the WAAA Championships in London: in 1963; and also in 1962, when she set a new Scottish Record of 5 minutes 2.5 seconds.
Lesley Chisholm was born on 3/1/1975 and has raced for Springburn Harriers, City of Glasgow and Garscube Harriers. She first appeared in the Scottish Athletics lists in 1994, with a 3000m time of 10.25.25. Her next 3000m seems to have been in 2007, when she was 32 years old. As late as 2019, Lesley was running faster than in 1994. Personal best at the distance? 10.05.47 in 2016. In 2006, Lesley Chisholm won two silver medals: in the Scottish 5000m; and the Scottish 10k road race. Previously, she had secured bronze in the 2005 10k championship. In 2013, Lesley Chisholm added Scottish Masters 10k gold; and in 2015 Masters Half Marathon silver. She also won the Masters 5k road race three times. Internationally, Lesley ran cross-country twice for Scotland as a Senior. In 2006, (having been 7th in the Scottish Senior National), she competed in Ireland, was third Scottish counter and the team lost to USA but beat Ireland. In 2014 at Nottingham, in the Home Countries International, she finished 12th (second Scot) and Scotland lost to England but outscored Wales and Northern Ireland. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Lesley Chisholm (W40) was first finisher a record-equalling four times: 2015-2017 and 2019. In the British and Irish Masters International XC, she ran well for Scotland several times in the W35 and W40 categories. In 2014, as a Senior Woman, she raced for Scotland in the Home Countries Hill Running International, finishing sixth (and second Scot) – the team won silver medals.
Erica Christie was born on 10/3/1956 and ran for Bellahouston Harriers and the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club. Between 1986 and 2012, she featured in the Scottish Athletics Marathon rankings, with a highest position of 7th and a personal best of 2.54.24. In 1996, Erica won a bronze medal in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships. She won a bronze medal in the 2006 Scottish Marathon Championships. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Erica Christie won the W50 title in 2008 and 2009. In the W55 age-group, she secured silver in 2012 and bronze in 2015.
Megan Clark (Wright) was born on 31/7/73 and ran for Hunters Bog Trotters. In the Scottish Annual rankings, for the marathon she was second (2003 and 2004) and fourth in 2001, with a personal best of 2.47.24. In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Megan Wright contributed to HBT team silver in 2012 and bronze in 2011. Megan was third W40 in the 2015 Scottish Half Marathon. In the Scottish Masters XC, she was third W40 in 2016; third W45 in 2018; and won the W45 title in 2019.
Anne Clarkson (Purvis from 1983) was born on 5/3/59 and was an 800m specialist who ran for Edinburgh University and Edinburgh Southern Harriers. She raced for Scotland on the track 20 times; and for GB in the 1982 European Championships. Anne ran for Scotland in the 1982 and 1986 Commonwealth Games. In 1982 she was part of the 4x400m team that won bronze; and in 1984 she was fourth in the 800m and her 4x400m team finished fourth too. Anne Clarkson won the AAA 800m in 1980 and 1981; and the UK 800m in 1986. She was Scottish 800m champion in 1983 and 1985.
Joanna Cliffe was born on 16/5/1970 and ran for Glasgow University, Shettleston Harriers and Edinburgh Southern Harriers/Woolen Mill. She came from Northern Ireland but ran 1500m for Scotland in a 1992 International match v Greece and Cyprus (finishing fourth). In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Glasgow University H&H (including Joanna) won the team title in 1991, and added team silver medals in 1992 and 1993 (when Joanna finished sixth). In the 1991 Scottish Road Relay, the Hares & Hounds finished third.
Eileen Cochrane was born on 16/9/1966 and ran for City of Glasgow AC. On the track, between 1988 and 2001, she raced distances from 800m to 5000m and won a bronze medal in the 1999 Scottish 5000m Championship. In the Scottish Senior National XC, Eileen won several team medals with City of Glasgow, including gold in 1989 and 1990. Her best individual position was 7th. In the Scottish XC Relays, Eileen contributed to gold in 1985, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Eileen also won gold in the Scottish Six Stage Road Relay (1987, 1989, 1992 and 2001). Such a durable runner was likely to do well as a Veteran. In 2003, Eileen became W35 champion in the Scottish Masters XC. Eileen Cochrane ran three International cross-country matches as a Senior for Scotland. She was third Scot in 1989 at Margate; ran the 1990 World Cross Country Trials at Glasgow; and at Cumbernauld in 1993, finished third (second Scot) and Scotland beat Northern Ireland and three other teams.
Jill Cox (Knowles) was born on 25/5/77 and ran for City of Glasgow AC and the Scottish Prison Service. She first appeared in the Scottish ranking lists in 1995; then raced as Jill Knowles from 1998 onwards. Jill won the Scottish 5000m track title in 2007. She secured silver medals in the 2004 Indoor 1500m; and the Indoor 3000m in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004, as well as bronze in 1999 and 2008. Jill Knowles raced for Scotland in 2004 at Brussels. The event was an Ekiden Relay and her team lost to Ireland but beat Belgium and France. In the Scottish Road Relay, Glasgow (including Jill), won team gold in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006; plus silver in 2003 and 2007. In the Senior National XC, Jill was in the team that won silver medals in 2004, when she finished 9th. In the 2012 Scottish Marathon Championship at Inverness, Jill Knowles won Senior bronze and Masters bronze medals. In 2013, she added Masters bronze in the Scottish 10 miles road.
Margaret Crawford ran for Maryhill Ladies. In the Senior National Cross-Country Championships, Maryhill Ladies won team gold medals in 1962 (with Margaret 4th); 1963 (3rd); 1964 (3rd in front of Leslie Watson);1965 (5th); and 1966 (3rd). A consistently good cross-country runner like Margaret Crawford was very unlucky that there were no Scottish International XC matches for women between 1958 and 1975. In the One Mile track event, she appeared in the 1962 and 1964 Scottish Athletics rankings.
Susan Crawford (25.06.64, Teviotdale, Kilbarchan a, Glasgow, Edinburgh Southern, University of Alabama Susan was a very good athlete who performed well whether on track or over the country and who profited from her time at the University of Alabama. Best times: 800m – 2:11.0; 1000m – 2:52.4i; 1500 – 4:23.8; Mile – 4:47.6; 2000m – 6:15.9i; 3000 – 9:22.88. Competition record Scottish: 1 i1500 ’91, 2 i3000 ’91. Susan was also a good cross-country runner and winner of the West District championships.
Sheena Crockett, (Aberdeen) only appeared in the ranking lists twice – both were in 1960 at 440 yards in 66.4 seconds and the Mile in 5:38.0 which placed second fastest in Scotland for the year. She also won the SWAAA Mile championship.
Shona Crombie-Hicks was born on 1/6/1971 and ran for Winchester and Bourton Road Runners. In the 2005 Edinburgh Marathon, Shona Crombie-Hicks became Scottish Women’s Marathon Champion in the good time of 2.44.58 Shona was a former jockey who took up running to control her weight. She came originally from Aberdeen but moved to Portsmouth when young. Having become a marathon runner, she won her first three races: in Lanzarote, Manchester and Copenhagen. She was selected for the Scottish Marathon team in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games but had to withdraw due to injury. Undaunted, once recovered she entered the 2003 Flora 1000-mile challenge, walking one mile every hour for 1000 hours, and finishing by running the London Marathon. The event started on March 2nd 2003. At 8.45 a.m. on April 13th, the five remaining competitors completed the 1000 miles together. Then they ran the London Marathon – and Shona Crombie-Hicks was by far the fastest, recording 3 hours 8 minutes. Later on, Shona Crombie-Hicks set records for marathons in Lanzarote, Jersey and Guernsey. Her personal best time was an excellent 2.38.42 in the 2005 Berlin Marathon; and she competed for Scotland in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games marathon, finishing 6th in 2.51.41. Shona was still running sub-3 hours marathons in 2018.
Ann Curtis (89) and Maggie Baillie (16). First and second in the 1984 Edinburgh 10 miles road race.
Ann Curtis was born on 4/2/1954 and ran for Livingston AC. In the Scottish annual marathon rankings, Ann was 9th in 1983, 8th in 1985 and 11th in 1986. 1985 was her best year. Ann set her personal best on 28th April, when winning the 1985 Dundee Marathon in a course record 2.48.00 (by 36 seconds from a fast-closing Tricia Calder). Even in the year 2000, Ann’s time featured in the all-time top-twenty Scottish rankings. On the 16th of September: “English-born Dr Ann Curtis raced away to win gold in the 1985 Scottish Marathon Championship, which was held as part of the Aberdeen event. Her time of 2.55.55 brought her home well in front of Ireland’s Teresa Kidd (3.1.57), with Aberdeen AAC’s Janine Robertson third.” Ann Curtis was also a fine hill racer and won the Scottish Hill Running Championships in 1984, 1985 and 1986.
Below: Ann Clarkson Purvis (4)
