The very first race: note Tom O’Reilly, Davie Simpson, Bill Ramage, Jim Alder, John Poulton, Alex Brown, Willie Drysdale, Ian Harris, Jim Sloss … and many more

In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s road races typically had a couple of dozen runners, often a lot fewer – I once ran in a race with five runners and three prizes plus three handicap prizes – and sometimes maybe three dozen. They were usually very good, competitive races. And then along came the Tom Scott Road Race from Law to Motherwell. You can read about the start of the event at the race website at www.tomscottroadraces.co.uk . I ran in the first fourteen or fifteen and it is a race that encouraged loyalty. Note that two officials, Molly Wilmoth and Anna Poulton, received awards from the organisers for 50 years of officiating at the event. As far as the race itself was concerned, it was different from others to runners for several reasons – first the genesis of the race with Tom being killed in a road accident on his way to a race, the fact that he was well known and liked in the running community and the fact that his club was keen to make it a big occasion. Sure enough, the numbers in the event were always big, bigger than any road race of the time. The old trail was better than the new one – that much is certain. Point to points always have an aura about them. However, Joe Small has collected the ‘Glasgow Herald’ reports of all the Tom Scott Races up to 1984 and they are reported below, starting with the first race in 1962.

NEW ROAD RACE

1962. A.H. Brown (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.) the most consistent long distance runner in Scotland, won the first Tom Scott Memorial Trophy road race over ten miles on Saturday in the fine time of 50min. 33sec. beating a team-mate J. H. Linaker, by 180 yards, with R. McKay, another Motherwell runner, a similar distance farther behind, in third place.

As only the first three runners in each team counted, Motherwell had minimum points and easily won the team contest.Alder (Morpeth), the Scottish cross-country champion, quickly went into the lead from the start at Law village and after a mile was a dozen yards ahead of Brown. After three miles however, Brown led the Anglo-Scot by almost 30 yards, with McKay, Linaker, G. Eadie (Cambuslang) and R. Coleman (Dundee Hawkhill) grouped together about 100 yards behind Alder.

Thereafter Alder, finding himself too tired to challenge Brown, lost interest and dropped right back. Brown was more than 120 yards ahead of McKay and Linaker after six miles had been covered and steadily increased his lead over Linaker, who soon broke away from his clubmate. Placings:-

A .H.Brown (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.) 50min. 33sec., 2, J. H. Linaker (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.) 51min. 6sec., 3, R. McKay (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.) 51min. 41sec., 4, G. Eadie (Cambuslang) 51min. 55sec., 5, R. Coleman (Dundee Hawkhill) 52min. 18sec., 6, D. Simpson (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.) 52min. 50 sec., 7, M. Ryan (St. Modans) 53min. 4sec. 8, J. M. Kerr (Airdrie) 53min. 26sec.

1963

SCOTT MEMORIAL

J. Linaker (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.), runner-up last year, won the second annual Tom Scott Memorial 10-mile road race from Law school to Motherwell (A.E.I. Works) on Saturday.

Linaker’s 47min. 59sec. was 2min. 34sec. better than the winning time last year by A. H. Brown, another Motherwell Y.M.C.A runner, who on this occasion was beaten by more than 100 yards. H. Barrow (Victoria Park) was third and, as the first junior to finish, won the Turnbull Trophy. With Linaker and Brown in the first two places and D. Simpson in seventh place, Motherwell won the team race with ten points. Victoria Park were second with 17 points.

Linaker and Brown went to the head of the field of 87 starters shortly after the start, and, shoulder to shoulder, they ran for nine miles. Thereafter Linaker found extra speed to shake off his rival and won by 18sec. The first three in the race beat last year’s time of 50min. 33sec.

Leading times:- 1, J. H. Linaker (Motherwell), 47min. 59sec.; 2, A. H. Brown (Motherwell), 48min. 17sec.; 3, W. H. Barrow (Victoria Park), 50min. 24sec.; 4, A. F. Murray (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers) 50min. 34sec.; 5, I. Harris (Beith Harriers) 50min. 34sec.; 6, R. C. Calderwood (Victoria Park) 50min. 40sec.

SCOTT ROAD RACE

Wood’s Success

A.J. Wood (Aberdeen A.A.C.) won the third Tom Scott Memorial Trophy 10-mile road race from Law to Motherwell on Saturday when, after a fine duel with A. H. Brown (Motherwell), who was second, he finished 30 yards clear in 49min. 27sec. J. R. Johnstone (Monkland) was third.

Wood and Brown remained more or less together until the six mile checkpoint where the winner began to nose his way in front. Brown, however, was not easily shaken off and he cut Wood’s lead by producing a strong finish.

Details:- 1, A. .J. Wood (Aberdeen A.A.C.) 49min. 27sec.; 2, A. H. Brown (Motherwell) 49min. 33sec.; J. R. Johnstone (Monkland) 50min. 19sec.

ALDER WINS ROAD RACE

J. Alder (Morpeth Harriers) justified expectations by winning the Tom Scott Memorial 10-mile road race on Saturday from Law to Motherwell in 47min. 34sec., 25 seconds’ improvement on the existing record set by J. H. Linaker (Motherwell) two years ago.

A.H. Brown, winner of the first race four years ago, put in his best performance with a time of 47min. 40 sec., inside the previous record by 19 seconds, and third was J. L. Stewart (Vale of Leven), 30 yards behind Brown.

At the first three mile checkpoint Alder was running strongly fully 50 yards in front of Brown, Stewart, and I. McCafferty, who were together at that point, and the time of 13 min. 40 sec., 38 seconds faster than the previous best time at that stage, gave rise to the prospect of a record. Over the next three miles the gap opened out to more than 90 yards between Alder and Brown, and Stewart, McCafferty having meantime dropped back to fifth place, 50 seconds behind the leader.

Rally

During the next four miles, Brown rallied so well that he cut Alder’s lead to less than 40 yards at the finish – a great effort by one who came to prominence 16 years ago and has stayed there since that time. McCafferty disappointed by slipping back to fifteenth place.

Motherwell still proved masters of this race by taking the team honours for the fourth year in succession with a total of 21 points. Victoria Park and Shettleston finishing second and third. The handicap race was won by R. Cox (Glenpark Harriers) with R. Wedlock and A. P. Brown second and third. Results:-

1, J. Alder (Morpeth), 47-34; 2, A. H. Brown (Motherwell), 47.40; 3, J. L. Stewart (Vale of Leven), 48-45; 4, A. .P. Brown (Motherwell), 49-7; 5, A. J. Wood (Aberdeen A.A.C.), 49-14; 6, D. Wedlock (Motherwell), 50-19; 7, J. R. Johnstone (Monkland) 50-29; 8, H. J. Summerhill (Shettleston) 51-14; 9, J. Reilly (Victoria Park) 51-18; 10, R. Coleman (Hawkhill Harriers) 51-27

1966

A.H. BROWN WINS RACE TO MOTHERWELL A.H. Brown (Motherwell) now in his seventeenth year as a regular performer in distance events, is a dedicated athlete whose methods for the attainment of the retention on fitness might be copied. He outpaced a field of 87 starters in the fifth annual Tom Scott memorial 10 mile Road Race from Law to Motherwell, beating J. Alder (Morpeth H.), last years winner and the record holder by as much as 49secs.

Third was J. Brennan (Maryhill H.) who must be heartily congratulated on having as a junior overcome many experienced distance runners in this race.

At three miles Alder was in front – timed at 14min. 4sec., with A. H. Brown and Brennan just behind him. Fifty yards further away was A. J. Wood (Aberdeen A.C.), and behind him, just a few yards were L. McKenzie (Aberdeen A.C.) and A. Wight (Edinburgh University).

At the half distance checkpoint Alder and Brown were together, now steadily pulling away from the rest of the field, and at six miles Brown led Alder by a few yards with a time of 28min. 22sec.

Brown pulled on evident reserve of power from the eight mile point and broke away quickly from Alder, who now looked tired and totally unable to resist the inevitable. He failed by nearly 280 yards to hold Brown, who won the inaugural event in this series.

Details:-

Individual race – 1, A. H. Brown (Motherwell) 48min. 6sec.; 2, J. Alder (Morpeth) 48-55; 3, J. Brennan (Maryhill) 49-24; 4, A. J. Wood (Aberdeen A.C.) 49-46;, 5, G. B. Jones (Edinburgh University) 49-55; 6, A. Wight (Edinburgh University) 50-3; 7, J. Robertson (Hawkhill H.) 50-27; 8, F. Whitley (Wellpark H.) 50-36; 9, L. McKenzie (Aberdeen A.C.) 51-1; 10, R. Coleman (Hawkhill) 51-23; 11, C. Martin (Dumbarton) 51-37; 12, R. Fulton (Ailsa A.C.) 51-48

Team Race – 1, Hawkhill 31pts; 2, Edinburgh University 34pts; 3, Aberdeen A.C. 43pts.

1967 Stewart breaks course record by 53 seconds

It took J. L. Stewart less than half distance to make it clear to a field of 96 in the Tom Scott Memorial Road Race from Law to Motherwell on Saturday that he had gone there to win. And, going on to emphasise his superiority, he broke J. N. C. Alder’s two-year-old record for the course by 53 seconds.

For four of the 10 miles, it must be admitted; he had company in the shape of I. McCafferty, who before the race said he would put in an honest challenge if he felt good. Clearly he did, for after three miles, run in a record 13 minutes 36 seconds, he and Stewart would have needed a set square to settle who had passed the mark first. Already accepting their minor roles behind were Andrew Brown, L. Young, Alex Brown and – out to surprise pundits it seemed – G. M. Brown (Edinburgh Southern).

From four to five miles Stewart gained a yard, two yards, and then it was five. This was the start of the rack for McCafferty, and try as he might the spirit of retaliation was crushed from him by the time Stewart passed the five mile sign with 20 yards of freedom behind him. To add to McCafferty’s troubles, he was misdirected in Motherwell, but by that time Stewart was about 150 yards ahead and the only effect of the error was to add maybe 20 seconds to McCafferty’s time.

Brave effort

For a long time Young looked as if he might push Andrew Brown into fourth place, but with here miles to go Brown shrugged of that danger and latterly was getting very close to McCafferty at times. Alex. Brown after a bright start, lost his place somewhere in the middle of the race, and only a brave effort towards the end brought him back into the first 10. G. M. Brown must have astonished many by filling tenth place – that comes of staying with the respectable group early on and becoming educated to their pace.

The team race was easily won by Motherwell Y.M.C.A., and Aberdeen A.A.C.’s enthusiasm in making such a long trip was rewarded with third place.

Results:- 1, J. L. Stewart (Vale of Leven) 46min. 41sec. (record); 2, I. McCafferty (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.) 47-23; 3, Andrew Brown (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.) 47-39; 4, I Young (Edinburgh University) 48-1; 5, A. J. Wood (Aberdeen A.A.C.) 44-44; 6, A. Blamire (Edinburgh University) 48-48; 7, P. MacLagan (Victoria Park) 49-3; 8, Alex. Brown (Motherwell Y.M.C.A.) 49-10; 9 D. P. McGregor (Edinburgh Southern) 49-17; 10, G. M. Brown (Edinburgh Southern) 49-23

Team race – 1, Motherwell Y.M.C.A. 13pts; 2, Edinburgh Southern 31pts; 3, Aberdeen 43pts.

1968 Splendid win for McCafferty

After the Tom Scott Memorial Road Race on Saturday from Law to Motherwell I. McCafferty made one of those decisions brought on by physical discomfort, that seem permanent at the time but could very well change later. He would run in no more 10-mile road races.

He had just won the event convincingly from G. Bryan-Jones after nine and a half miles of close company from Jones and a group that lessened in numbers as each mile rolled by. But the price McCafferty paid for breaking in new shoes was the formation of two throbbing blisters, the bruised blood underneath shouting out to be released.

With his big toe nails trimmed intentionally to half their size his feet wouldn’t have held the gaze of the aesthetically minded for too long, but his running was worth watching. No attempt was made to break away from the leading group of five – Andrew and Alex Brown, I. Young, K. Grant and Bryan-Jones – until the last half mile when he scampered away from the last named. His time, 48min. 39sec., was nearly two minutes outside the course record set last year by J. L. Stewart, but a strong wind in some measure contributed to that.

Rough justice

The wind gave me another chance to see the kind of justice that road runners dispense to each other when no officials are at hand. One of the leaders was hugging so close to those in front for shelter that his feet and elbows were making unwelcome advances. A combined reproach from the others and a quick thump from an elbow put paid to any further interference.

Special mention ought to be made of the fourth place of Young, whom I seem constantly to overlook in Edinburgh University’s team. He ran courageously throughout, never losing sight of the leading bunch, and finished only half a minute behind the winner.

Law and District, with their three counters in the first six places, ran away with the team prize, 19 points ahead of Edinburgh University.

Results:-

1, I. McCafferty (Law) 48min. 39sec.; 2, G. Bryan-Jones (Edinburgh University) 48-49; 3, Alex Brown (Law) 48-55; 4, I. Young (Edinburgh University) 49-9; 5, K. Grant (Dundee Hawkhill) 49-14; 6, Andrew Brown (Law) 49-22; 7, N. Morrison (Shettleston) 50-24; 8, A. J. Wood (Aberdeen) 50-50; 9, W. Mather (Teviotdale) 50-55; 10, A. Johnston (Victoria Park) 51-4

1969

Convincing win for McCafferty

Ian McCafferty, who vowed last year after having won the Tom Scott Memorial road race that he was finished with 10-mile events, returned on Saturday and duly covered the distance for another convincing victory.

Blistered feet caused the trouble last time and so on Saturday he took it as easily as was possible in a field of 110 that included such notable opponents as Lachie Stewart, Dick Wedlock, and Gareth Bryan-Jones.

Before the start McCafferty appeared unconcerned about the outcome, saying that his track commitments in the next few weeks must take priority over a 10-mile road race, but it’s hard to subdue the competitive element in most athletes once the gun goes, and the Carluke man is no exception.

A group containing most of the above plus Harry Gorman set the pace in the early stages out of Law and along the main A73 road heading for Wishaw, but it was clear that Stewart, Wedlock, McCafferty, and Bryan-Jones were going to be the principle actors as they passed the Motherwell boundary.

McCafferty, having played doggo all the way, decided the time had come to put the others through the hoop with less than a mile to go. He changed gear so smoothly, put his head down just that fraction lower, always a sign of added determination from him, and left the others to settle the minor positions.

His winning time, 49min. 14sec., gave him a lead of about 80 yards at the finish over Stewart, who in turn was comfortably ahead of Wedlock.

Team race

The team race was Shettleston’s, finishing their leading men in second, third, and sixth positions. Edinburgh Southern, although they totalled the same points as Aberdeen A.A.C., 33, were given second place under S.A.A.A. rules (their last counting man was ahead of Aberdeen’s).

The junior five miles from Wishaw to Motherwell went to J. Dingwall (Edinburgh University), whose 26min. 4sec. was four secs ahead of W. Burns (Larkhall). Larkhall took the team race with 14 points.

Results:-

1, I. McCafferty (Law and District) 49min. 14sec.; 2, J. L. Stewart (Shettleston) 49-26; 3, R. Wedlock (Shettleston) 49-38; 4, G. Bryan-Jones (Edinburgh Southern); 5, J. Brennan (Maryhill); 6, W. Scally (Shettleston); 7, W. Ewing (Aberdeen); 8, Andrew Brown (Law and District).

Team race – 1, Shettleston, 11 points; 2, Edinburgh Southern, 33; 3, Aberdeen, 33

Junior five miles – 1, J. Dingwall (Edinburgh University), 26min. 4sec,; 2, W. Burns (Larkhall), 26-8; 3, J. Sorbie (Larkhall), 26-15.

Veterans’ prize – H. V. Mitchell (Shettleston).

1970

STEWART WINS COMFORTABLY

By RON MARSHALL

The Tom Scott Memorial road race the official opener to the S.A.A.A. track season, brought much encouragement to Lachie Stewart (Shettleston Harriers) when he covered the 10-miles from Law to Motherwell in 47min. 46sec., the fastest since his 1967 course record of 46min. 41sec.

That he is shaping into a superb state of fitness was evident from his condition as he crossed the winning line. Within seconds he was breathing normally and talking about the race, his only complaint being the bout of catarrh that constantly attends his long distance efforts.

In second place, 200 yards behind, came his clubmate, Dick Wedlock, and after a similar gap was Donald MacGregor (Edinburgh Southern), doing a spot of short-distance build-up for the Scottish marathon championship on May 16.

It was he who set the early pace through Law and out onto the A73, but after about a mile and a half Stewart forged ahead, closely followed by Wedlock. The latter, with as low a heel-lift as Stewart’s is high, always offers him a dour challenge, but usually can always watch as the yardage between grows maddeningly into an irretrievable gulf.

That was again the pattern on Saturday, but finishing second to such a determined, talented runner is not worth the disappointment Wedlock sometimes endures.

Ian McCafferty did not, after all, decide to run. His father, who watched Saturday’s proceedings, thought Ian was probably fit enough but was anxious to avoid a recurrence of the leg twist he received last month in Vichy. Mr McCafferty had no idea when his son’s first competitive appearance this season would be.

The senior team race went to Shettleston Harriers, who totalled 24 points, four fewer than Clydesdale, with Edinburgh Southern third on 58.

The junior five miles from Wishaw to Motherwell was won by Douglas Gunstone (Dundee Hawkhill) in 24min. 32sec. Ronnie MacDonald (Monkland Harriers), the Scottish youths cross-country champion was second, ahead of Colin Falconer (Springbrn), the Scottish and English junior champion. Larkhall won the team race with 22 points.

Tom Scott Memorial race results:-

1, J. L. Stewart (Shettleston) 47min. 46sec.; 2, R. Wedlock (Shettleston) 48-17; 3, D. F. MacGregor (Edinburgh Southern) 48-52; 4, A. F. Faulds (Stirling A.A.C.) 49-33; 5, H. Gorman (Springburn) 49-45; 6, E. Knox (Springburn) 50-4.

1972 Burst on incline gives Downie victory

Sam Downie, on the threshold of what he calls an experimental season in track athletics, gave himself the best possible start on Saturday by winning the Tom Scott Memorial Road Race from Law to Motherwell.

The 21-year-old Falkirk Victoria Harrier, a probable entrant this September at Borough Road College, where Alan Pascoe among other notable athletes studied physical education, is limbering up, so to speak, as a labourer at a local foundry. He has no misgivings about possible ill-effects on his training.

“My speedwork is coming along amazingly well (he trains in a local Falkirk public park), I’ve never really buckled down to track work, preferring cross-country the last couple of years,” he said.

Downie, winner of the Eastern District cross-country title earlier this year, agreed his form took an alarming dip just after that win but all signs on Saturday were of a startling and successful recovery.

He was always comfortably with the leading group in the first few miles of the 10-mile trek, sharing the pace with Douglas Gunstone, Willie Day, the Wight brothers, and Colin Martin. Inevitably cliques emerged, the one that mattered most consisting of Downie, Day, and Gunstone.

As mile after mile was devoured, the leaders having deserted the relatively clean air for the pale orangy hue that hangs about parts of the Motherwell-Wishaw area, Day began to find the pace uncomfortable and the battle for the impressive Tom Scott statuette was now between Downie and Gunstone.

Half a mile from home a tactical burst from Downie on an incline sealed the issue. He carved out a 10-yard gap in as many seconds and maintained the pressure to the finish, clocking 47 minutes 45 seconds, which was eight seconds better than Gunstone. Day was third.

This was only Downie’s second run in the Tom Scott – he was thirty-first last year – and although it must be pointed out that McCafferty, Stewart, and Wedlock and one or two others were missing on Saturday, this performance, just over a minute outside the series record, promises a worthwhile 1972 on the track for Downie.

The junior five miles, from Wishaw to Motherwell, was a comprehensive win for Jim BrowN in 22 minutes 30 seconds. His Monkland clubmate, Ronnie McDonald was second 15 seconds behind.

Senior result:-

1, S. Downie (Falkirk Victoria), 47min. 45sec.; 2, D. Gunstone (Dundee Hawkhill) 47-53; 3, W. Day (Falkirk Victoria), 48-1; 4, J. Wight (Edinburgh A.C.) 48-8; 5, A. Wight (Edinburgh A.C.) 48-17; 6, C. Martin (Dumbarton), 48-42.

1973

Dingwall wins Law race

Jim Dingwall (Edinburgh University) won the Tom Scott road race on Saturday over a slightly altered route from Law to Motherwell.

His time, 48min. 8sec., gave him a lead of about 100 yards over Douglas Gunstone in what was one of the weakest Tom Scott fields for years.

Senior result:-

1, J. Dingwall (Edinburgh University), 48min. 8sec.; 2, D. Gunstone (Edinburgh A.C.) 48-22; 3, R. Wedlock (Shettleston), 48-28; 4, J. Wight (Edinburgh A.C.) 48-28; 5, A. Wight (Edinburgh A.C.) 48-32; 6, M. Craven (Edinburgh Southern), 48-37; 7, C. Martin (Dumbarton) 48-38; 8. W. Day (Falkirk Victoria) 48-58

Team race – 1, Falkirk Victoria (W. Day 8, S. Downie 9, W. Sharp 20) 37 points, 2, Dumbarton (7, 13, 26) 46; 3, Law 67.

Junior (5 miles) – L. Spence (Wellpark H.), 24min 34sec.; 2, J. McLuckie (Larkhall) 25-5; 3, A. Hutton (Edinburgh A.C.) 25-29; 4, A. Gilmour (Law) 25-43; 5, J. Thompson (Law) 26-5; 6, J. Lawson (Springburn) 26-10 Team race – 1, Larkhall (McLuckie 2, Gilmour 4, G. Young 16) 22; 2, Wellpark H. (10, 12, 17) 39.

1975

Brown’s record time

The capricious nature of sporting form was well illustrated on Saturday when Jim Brown (Clyde Valley) won the Tom Scott road race from Law to Motherwell; not only by a wide margin but in record time as well.

Only three weeks ago the same man was languishing in seventy-fourth position in the International Cross Country Championship, a race in which he had been fourth the previous year. With that weighing on his mind, then Brown had approached the Tom Scott with more than a degree of apprehension. He sorely needed a morale booster.

For a long time he would be deprived of satisfaction. Andy McKean (Edinburgh AC), the national cross-country champion, set a fearsome pace over the first four miles, dragging what appeared to be a reluctant Jim Brown in his wake at least 40 yards behind. Jim Dingwall, going for his third successive win, was already showing signs of distress, and his “triple” bid was latterly no more successful than Red Rum’s at Liverpool. He finished third.

Punishing Pace

Through Wishaw’s main street, McKean sagged a bit. Brown sensed the lapse and swept past, not gradually but punishingly fast. Within seconds he had 30 yards on the other and the race was over. The net three miles to the finish only served to allow Brown to build up an ultimate winning lead of 175 yards, and he crossed the line in 46min. 33sec. This beat Lachie Stewart’s 1967 record by eight seconds.

The winner had two main concerns after the race. The first was to retrieve his front plate of teeth from the bus carrying the athletes’ belongings. He never runs with it fitted, but demands of a radio interview made it essential. His second worry was the appearance of some raw blood blisters on both feet. A complete rest yesterday, he imagined, would be required to let them subside.

Brown returns this week to his physical education studies at that breeding ground of sporting prowess, Borough Road College in London. His first big race, apart from student fixtures, is on June 11, when he runs against Brendan Foster and Ian Stewart. You cannot choose sterner opponents than that.

Saturday’s result:

J. Brown (Clyde Valley), 46m. 33sec.: 2. A. McKean (Edinburgh AC), 46-59: 3. J. Dingwall (Edinburgh AC), 47.51: 4. D. Gunstone (Edinburgh AC), 47-57: 5. L. Spence (Strathclyde University), 48-11: 6. J. Wight (Edinburgh AC). 48-14

Alan Puckrin

1980 Leg work pays off for Brown

Jim Brown retained his title in the Tom Scott Memorial Road Race from Law to Motherwell on Saturday. He was in excellent form, just failing to break his own record by one second, and finished 400 yards clear of Allister Hutton (Edinburgh Southern Harriers), who was running over the 10-miles distance for the first time.

Brown, whose winning time was 46min. 34sec., has been doing high-mileage training of 120 miles a week preparing for the AAA marathon championship at Milton Keynes in three weeks time.

This heavy schedule is paying off for Brown as he looked and felt very fit. He said after the race that he intended waiting until the seven-miles mark before making his effort but felt so good that he decided to go at three miles after he had been in the leading bunch along with Hutton, Dingwall, Martin Craven (Edinburgh Southern), and Colin Farquharson (Clyde Valley).

J. Brown (Clyde Valley) 46min. 34sec.: 2. A. Hutton (Edinburgh Southern) 47-56: 3. J. Dingwall (Falkirk Victoria) 48-43.

Jap pips Brown for treble

Despite a brave effort to score his third successive victory in the Tom Scott Memorial 10-mile road race from Law to Motherwell on Saturday Jim Brown (Clyde Valley AC) was outpaced by Japanese 10,000 metre champion Yasunori Hamada of Edinburgh AC.

The race quickly developed into a two-man affair, with the leaders breaking clear of the 185-man filed early in the race. Each took a turn of leading and they were under the course record at half-distance, but the hot afternoon took its toll of the tiring runners and the pace dropped on the hilly approaches to Motherwell.

As the runners turned into the final 200-meter straight Hamada was fractionally in front of Brown. The Scot sprinted, to be repelled by the leader, and the lead changed hands as the rivals passed each other. Hamada’s final lunge gave him the verdict in the closest finish in the 22-year old history of the race.

Results:

Y. Hamada (EAC) 47min. 39sec.; 2. J. Brown (Clyde Valley) 47-40; 3. C. Farquharson (Clyde Valley) 49-46. First veteran R. McKay (Clyde Valley) 54.43.

Team – 1, Edinburgh AC 14pts.; 2, Cambuslang 33; 3, Bellahouston 36.

1982

Athletics

Allister Hutton (Edinburgh Southern Harriers) smashed the course record by 28 seconds in winning the Tom Scott Memorial 10-mile road race in a time of 46mins 5sec. Jim Brown (Clyde Valley) came second in 46.27

Palm Gunstone, first woman, 1985

1983

Athletics

Though there was a record field of 437 for the Tom Scott Memorial 10-mile road race from Law to Motherwell on Saturday, Scotland’s top road runners were missing – preparing for next Sunday’s London Marathon.

Lindsay Robertson (Edinburgh AC) who will be representing Scotland in London won in 49 min. 12 sec, a time which would not have placed him in the first dozen last year.

Terry Mitchell (Fife AC) was runner-up in 49 min 31 sec, and his clubmate Donald MacGregor took third place in 49 min 40 sec, so winning the Scottish veteran’s championship by almost three minutes from Roddy McFarquhar (Aberdeen AAC).

Fife AC won the team prize from Edinburgh AC and Bellahouston Harriers.

Athletics

John Graham (Clyde Valley AC), who now lives in Birmingham, returned to his home town of Motherwell and won the twenty-third Tom Scott Memorial 10-mile road race from Law to Motherwell.

Graham led from the start and finished unpressed in 47min. 09sec., more than 300 yards ahead of his nearest rival in a field that exceeded 300.

Yvonne Murray (Edinburgh AC) won the women’s prize, finishing sixty-fifth overall in 54min. 49sec., the fastest time ever run by a woman in Scotland.

The top ten in 1985. Still a very high quality field

You can see from the results how popular the course and race was among the runners – due in no small way to the organisation and effort put in by Tom’s club mates at Motherwell YMCA and by his former employers. The times are also an indication of how fast a course it was – although it was said and believed to be downhill, it depends on what is meant by downhill! Read what the statisticians at www.arrs.net have to say about downhill and what it means. The coverage went from good to excellent to poor to downright disgraceful (note the last two!) and then it was excellent again when Scotland’s Runner covered it in the mid-eighties to early nineties. It carries on, and for up to date results plus those missing above, have a look at the race website at the address above.

Since the above was written, Mick McGeoch of Cardiff has put together a marvellous list of stats for the event: all the winners, men and women, all the men’s times inside 50 minutes, and all the women inside 60. See it here Colin Youngson followed this up by compiling a comprehensive list of men’s veteran trophy winners and you can get it here

The original programmes and most of the results are also now available:

The first Tom Scott race Races 2 – 4 Races 5 – 8