Author: The Author

All Highland Games had their own programme cover which seldom changed – other than date and price.   This the Dunblane one.

By 1961 the Gathering had become a staple on the summer season circuit.   The meetings all had their fixed dates – eg. last two weeks in August were Bute and then Cowal, the first two weeks in September were Shotts and Ben Nevis on the same weekend and then Dunblane.   The attraction apart from the athletics was to some extent the beautiful scenery; for Bute there was the trip down the Clyde, for Cowal the sail across the Clyde and the beautiful west coast scenery, for Dunblane the arena itself was an attraction, the town with its cathedral and the walks along the river.   The Dunblane track was shorter than the others, grass too where the others were cinder and the location of the venue was easy to access from anywhere in the central belt.   The top class athletes who came year after year also persuaded others to follow.   Dunblane was a favourite venue.   

In the Herald of 10th September, 1962, the plaudits all went to Bellahouston youngster Conrad LaPointe in the sprints.   The report read: “The Scottish junior sprint champion, won the open 100 yards handicap from the short mark of 2 1/2 yards on Saturday at the Dunblane Highland Games.   He also assisted his club to win the medley relay.   JH Linaker (Pitreavie), the Scottish steeplechase champion, won the 14 mile road race in 1:18:00 and JP McLatchie (Ayr Seaforth, conceding up to 58 yards, won the open half-mile handicap from the short mark of 6 yards.   Miss J Lowe (Pitreavie) repeated hervictory of last year in the open 100 yards handicap, winning from 3 1/2 yards.

Results: 100 yards: C LaPointe, Bellahouston, in 10.2 off 2 1/2 yards; 220 yards: G Peters, Victoria Park, in 23.8 from 10 yards;  880 yards: J McLatchie, Ayr Seaforth, in 1:59.2 off 6 yards;  Mile: IR Young, Springburn, in 4:19.8 off 125 yards; Road Race:  JH Linaker, Pitreavie, in 1:18:00; High Jump:  G Reid, Grangemouth YM, 6′  5 1/2″ with an allowance of 8 “;   Mile Medley Relay:  Bellahouston (J Currie, D Young, C La Pointe, D Greig) in 3:44.2; Youths 100 yards: HJ Carmichael, unatt., in 10.7 off 4 1/2 yards;  Junior 880 yards: W McGubbin, Paisley, in 2:03.6 off 22;   Boys relay:  Doune Primary School; Ladies 100 yards: J Lowe Pitreavie AC, in 11.3 from 3 1/2 yards;  Women’s 220 yards: A McManus, Babcock and Wilcox, in 27.3 off 16; Women’s 4 x 110 relay: Western AC (A Jamieson, G Buchanan, A McDonald, A Wilson) in 52.7 seconds.

John Linaker leading Lachie Stewart in the SAAA Championship

In 1963, the meeting had an unexpected rival – the first Glasgow Championships were held at Scotstoun and attracted many of the big names, some of whom had competed at Dunblane – like Hugh Barrow, Duncan Middleton, John Linaker, Andy Brown, Alan Houston, Conrad LaPointe and others.   But not all roads led to Glasgow and there were many top class athletes at Dunblane in 14th September.   First the exceptionally brief report: “R Marshall (St Mdan’s AC) and Mel Edwards (Aberdeen AAC) won the 100 yards and the Mile respectively from virtual scratch marks at Dunblane Highland Games at Laighhills Park on Saturday.   C McAlinden (Babcock and Wilcox) did well to beat N Ross (Edinburgh Southern Harriers)  in the 14 miles road race.   Winners:

100 yards: R Marshall, St Modan’s, in 10.1 sec off 1 1/2 yards; 220 yards: N Donachie , Edinburgh AC, in 23 sec off 15 yards;  880 yards: JL Stewart, Vale of Leven, 1:57..1 off 36 yards;  Mile: M Edwards, Aberdeen AAC, in 4:20.8 off 30 yards; Road Race: C McAlinden, Babcock & Wilcox, in 1:20:38, N Ross 2nd and D Simpson (Motherwell) 3rd.   Medley Relay: 1.  Edinburgh AC, 2. Larbert YC.  Winning time: 3:44.7;  High Jump:  D McGhee, Clydesdale, 6′ 3 1/2″ with an allowance of 6″.    Youths 100 yards: P Devitt, Blackburn AC, in 10.8 sec off 3 1/2 yards; Junior 880: H Robertson, Hamilton, in 2:00.5 off 50 yards; Women’s 100 yards: M Cameron, Hoover AC , in 11.6 sec off 6 yards; Women’s 220 yards: M Cameron in 27.1 off 13 yards; women’s 4 x 110 relay: 1.  Broxburn AC, 2. Clydesdale H.   Winning time 53.5 seconds.

If we look at the names there we see that Ronnie Marshall was third in the SAAA 100 yards in 1963, Neil Donnachie was a medallist in the 880 yards in the late 1950’s, Lachie Stewart is a legend, Mel Edwards was one of the best all round distance athletes the country ever had with a wonderful career over the country, on the track, on the roads and among the hills with many Scottish championships to his name, Charlie McAlinden was SAAA Marathon Champion in 1966 after being third in 1964 and 1965, Davie Simpson was a cross-country internationalist, and Norman Ross was second in the SAAA 6 miles in 1962 and ranked number 4 in the marathon in 1963.   And these are only the winners, there were many others who were ‘handicapped out of it’ in the Heats.

Mel Edwards

Donald Macgregor was the newest star to visit Dunblane when he won the road race there in 1964 and in the process breaking Linaker’s record for the course.   Others to shine were Ian McCafferty (Motherwell), Tom Brown (St Modan’s) and Maureen McLeish (Perth Strathtay).   The last named was a very good athlete indeed who has been almost forgotten about. 

*A semi-finalist in the 1970 Commonwealth Games,

*SWAAA champion over 100 yards, 200 yards – she won gold, silver and bronze in these championships –

* and topped the rankings for both 100 yards and 100 metres in 1966.   

*In September, 1964 she was in the top ten for both 100 and 220 yards and on the way up.   She really should be better known. 

 The Glasgow Herald report for the Dunblane Gathering reads: “DF Macgregor (Edinburgh Southern Harriers) was the winner of the road race at Dunblane Highland Games on Saturday in a record rime of 1:17 , one minute faster than the previous record held by JH Linaker (Pitreavie).   Macgregor, having finished twelfth in the British six miles championship and second in the Scottish championship over that distance, thus ended his most successful season on the track.   I McCafferty (Motherwell YMCA), off 20 yards in the one mile, overhauled the rest of the field and won in 4 min 17.3 sec, ahead of Tom Brown (St Modan’s).   Brown however won the 880 yards (handicap 16 yards) in 1;55, a good time on the 352 yards track at Laighhills Park.   Miss M McLeish (Perth Strathtay) won the women’s 220 yards off 1 yard in 26.7, and did well to take second place in the 100 running from scratch.”

Results:

100 yards:  1. G Rodger, Clydesdale, in 9.8 sec off 6 yards, 2. R Marshall, Jordanhill TC 1/2, 3. A Robb, Forth Valley

220 yards:  1.  HR Stewart, Forth Valley, in 22.7 off 12, 2. HJ Carmichael, Bellahouston, 11y, 3. JG Smith Pitreavie, 8y

880 yards:  1.  T Brown, St Modan’s, in 1:55 off 16y, 2. RR Campbell, Forth Valley, off 20y, 3.  JM Brown, Dumbarton off 20y

Mile:   1.  I McCafferty, Motherwell, 4:17.3 off 30y,  2.  T Brown off 35y,  3. T Callaghan, Monkland, off 90y

Mile Medley Relay:  1.  Glasgow University in 3:37.9,  2. Dumbarton AAC,  3.  Aberdeen AAC

Road Race:  1. D Macgregor, ESH, in 1:17,  2.  M Edwards, Aberdeen AAC,  Handicap: 1. AT Barrie,  2. D McLean (both Dundee Hawkhill)

High Jump:  1.  A Santini, Edinburgh University, 6′ 4 1/2 ” with a 9 1/2″ allowance, 2.  D McGhee, Clydesdale.

Youthe 100 yards:  1. J Docherty, Blackburn in 10.1 off 8y, 2. F McPartlin, Pitreavie, off 7 1/2y,  3.  P Devitt, Blackburn, off 1 1/2y

Junior 880 yards:  1. FJ Steele, Edinburgh AC, in 1:55.9  off 40, 1. MN Prentice, St Modan’s, off 10y,  3.  G Skinner, Shettleston, off 36y

Women’s 100 yards: 1.  JC Caldwell, Blackburn, in 11.1 off 6y;  2.  M McLeish, Perth Strathtay, off scratch,  3.  M Campbell, Forth Valley off 7y

Women’s 220 yards:  1.  M McLeish, in 26.7 seconds off 1 yard,  2.  M Campbell off 15,  3.  A Taylor, Forth Valley, off 12

Women’s  4 x 110  relay:  1.  Broxburn in 53.3 seconds,  2.  Bellahouston.

Fairly comprehensive results then and the ‘returners’ included the formidable Mel Edwards who was a genuine force to be reckoned with on the roads or over the country at this point in his career. There were two future Olympians (McCafferty and Macgregor), several Commonwealth Games athletes and Scottish internationalists.   The quality remained.

Donald Macgregor (K1) running in the Glasgow Marathon

From the Glasgow Herald of 13 September, 1965:-

J.L. STEWART EARNS NEW REPUTATION

14-mile success at Dunblane

J.L. Stewart (Vale of Leven) has in the last two weeks given himself a completely new reputation as an athlete in Scotland.   Well known for his three miling and steeplechasing, he has changed, at the age of 22, to the rigours of 14 mile races with absolute success.   Running in the 14 1/2 mile road race at Dunblane Highland Gathering on Saturday, he won in 1:14:50, an average speed of 11 1/2 miles per hour.   His time was 2 min 10 sec inside the previous record.   Second and unexpectedly so, was AH Brown of Motherwell, no longer the fiery runner of a few years ago – this is his seventeenth season – but still good enough to be within calling distance of Stewart at the finish, only 100 yards behind.   Those two had been leading until Brown was dropped with two miles to go.   DF Macgregor, last year’s winner, unfortunately had to drop out because of sickness after six miles.   Asked whether he would concentrate on the marathon next year, Stewart was reluctant to forecast.   A winter of cross-country, at which he is already an expert, may help him to decide.

The forfeit for being a good runner is to be handicapped severely at this kind of meeting, and I McCafferty, the national two mile record holder, found the task too great in the mile.   On a track with tight bends and a marshy surface, he threaded his way through all but five athletes, and expired in the last 100 yards, knowing he had no chance of overhauling R McKay, a clubmate   and the eventual winner.   

GD Grant (Dumbarton), the Scottish 880 yards champion, was also in the mire in his Heat over that distance, although he had admitted after the race he had been using it only as a warm-up for the mile medley which, sure enough, his club won well from a Middlesborough team.   The only back markers to win were DM Edmunds in the shot putt with 48′ 09″ from scratch, and R Marshall, timed at 10 sec off half a yard  from scratch in the 100 yards.”

 Winners:-

100 yards:  R Marshall, Jordanhill College, in 10 sec from half a yard; 220 yards: J Brodie, Edinburgh AC, in 23.3 off 16;  880 yards: W Evans, Airdrie, 1:58.2 off 34 yards;  Mile:  R McKay, Motherwell, in 4:19 off 25 yards; Road Race:  1.  JL Stewart in 1:14:50 from AH Brown; Mile Medley Relay:  Dumbarton AAC (GD Grant, RR Mills, JM Brown, C Martin) in 3:45.5;  High Jump:  J Jones Octavians AC; shot putt:  DM Edmunds, Strathclyde University, with 48’9″ from scratch; Scots hammer:  I McPherson, Atalanta Club, with 12′ 11″ with an allowance of 2″ 4″;  Caber: AR Valentine, HMS Condor; Youths 100 yards: R Drummond, Forth Valley, in 10.9  off 4 yards; Junior 880 yards: E Knox, Springburn, in 2:02 off 10 yards; Women’s 100 yards: J Clarkson, Maryhill Ladies, in 11.5 off 5 yards;  Women’s 220 yards: EC Stewart, Motherwell YMCA, in 26.9 off 15 yards; Women’s 4 x 110 yards:  Bellahouston) M Gauldie, M McGregor, P Prentice and H McCallum) in 55.1 seconds.   

Another good meeting to close the season with 10 internationalists among the winners and others such as McCafferty among the also-rans.

 G Grant (left) with other members of the GB world record breaking 4 x 880 yards team.

The 1966 version of the Gathering featured GB internationalists among the middle and long distance runners, the jumpers and the heavy events.   The already high reputation of the meeting was becoming even higher.   The number of ‘returning athletes’ also spoke volumes about the nature of the competition.   The report this time read:- 

GALLOWAY WINS SPRINTS AT DUNBLANE GAMES

“Despite inclement conditions, performances were good at Dunbland Highland Games at Laighhills Park on Saturday.   FJ Galloway (Babcock and Wilcox AC) returned excellent times in winning the 100 in 10.1 sec and 220 yards in 23.3 sec – remarkable performances considering the muddy conditions underfoot.   JL Stewart (Vale of Leven) was well outside the record time he set up last year in winning the 14 1.2 miles road race in 1:17:23, almost 2 min 30 sec slower than his previous best.   LM Bryce (Edinburgh University) was the most successful competitor in the heavy events with a win in the 16lb hammer, and runner-up in the shot and caber.   Bellahouston Harriers followed up their Scottish mile medley relay title victory at Shotts last week with a win in the event in 2:52.5  sec.

Winners:

100 yards:  1. FJ Galloway. Babcock & Wilcox, in 10.1 off  5;  2. J Williams, Bellahouston, off 2 yards’

 200 yards: 1.  FJ Galloway, in 23.3 off 11y; 2.  A McManus, Babcock & Wilcox, off 21

880  Yards: 1. WH Cameron, Perth Strathtay, in 1:59.5 off 52; 2. A Weatherhead, Octavians,off 10

Mile: 1. J Brennan, Maryhill, in 4:25.2 off 45,  2.  JR Johnston, Monkland, off 5

Road Race:  1.  JL Stewart, Vale of Leven, in 1:17:23,  2. PW Maclagan off 7:42

Medley Relay: 1. Bellahouston (J Carmichael, M McLean, W Robertson, J Williams) in 2:52.5,  2. Edinburgh AC, 3. Dumbarton AAC

High Jump:  1.  CW Fairbrother, Victoria Park, 6’1″ off scratch;  2. JA Black, Cowal AC, off 7″

Throwing the 16lb hammer: 1. LM Bryce, Edinburgh University, 48′ 6″ off 8′ 6″, 2. DM Edmunds, Strathclyde U, off 2′

Putting the 16lb ball: 1. J McPherson, Atalanta,with 118′ 6″ off 3′ 6″, 2. LM Bryce off 3′ 6″

Tossing the Caber: 1. TC Robb, Falkirk Victoria,  2.  LM Bryce,  3. DM Edmunds.

Tug of War: Denny AC  two pulls;  2.  Glasgow Police 0

Youths 100 yards: E Ross, Forth Valley, in 10.5 off 6 1/2″, 2. W Dickson, Airdrie, off 4 1/2 yards

Junior 880 yards: 1. W Devine, Cambuslang, in 2:4.4 off 26y,  2. JR Wood, Bellahouston, off 48 yards

Women’s 100 yards:  1. LA Barr, Motherwell YWCA, in 11.7 sec off 6, 2. EC Stewart, Motherwell, off 6 1/2Y

Women’s 220 yards:  1. R Elliott, Fauldhouse Victoria, in 26.8 off 7 yards,  2.  LA Barr off 14

Women’s 4 x 110 relay:  1. Motherwell YWCA in 54,8 sec,  2.  Western LAC

Primary Schools 4 x 110 relay:   1. Bridge of Allan in 68.7 sec   ,  2. Dunblane PS

The results above are indeed as printed but I suspect that the results of the 16 lb ball and the 16lb hammer have been switched!

*

In 1967 the tradition of top class sprinters was added to when Les Piggott of Garscube Harriers won the 100 yards from scratch.   There had been many top ranked sprinters such as St Modan’ George McLachlan, Ronnie Whitelock and Mike Hildrey of Victoria Park contesting the sprints and Piggott brought that right bang up to date.  That tradition, wedded to the series of quality VPAAC sprinters was was also kept alive by the running of AJ Wood, and the club’s win in the medley relay.   Shettleston’s Norman Morrison made his first appearance at the meeting too, winning the handicap mile.   The very brief report read:

PIGGOTT CONTINUES HIS RUN OF VICTORIES    

“L Piggott (Garscube Harriers) continued his run of victories from scratch on Saturday at Dunblane Highland Games when he won the 100 yards in 10 seconds.   AJ Wood (Victoria Park) also maintained his recent good form winning the 220 yards from an allowance of one and a half yards.   I McPherson (Shettleston Harriers) set a meeting record of 120′ with the hammer.”

Winners:  100 yards: L Piggott, Garscube, (scr)  10.0 sec;   220 yards:  AJ Wood, Victoria Park, (1 1/2) 23.1 sec;  880 yards:  DW Hursh, US Navy, 50y, 1:57.5   Mile:  NS Morrison, Shettleston, (30) 4:23.9;  Road Race:  1.  AP Brown, Motherwell) in 1:17:27,  2.  D Macgregor, Edinburgh Southern,  3.  AH Brown,  Hnndicap, JF Reilly, Victoria Park; Three quarter mile Medley Relay: Victoria Park AAC in 2:51.2 , Youths 100 yards: E Miller, Hamilton, in 10.6 sec off 8 yards;  Junior 880 yards: P Devlin, Greenock Glenpark, in 1:59.6 off off 42 yards; High Jump:  R Souter, Glasgow University, (3″)  6’3″; Shot Putt:  JE Lilley, Bellahouston, 50′ 7″ off 6″;  Hammer (Scots style):  I McPherson, Shettleston, 120′; Caber: LM Bryce, Strathclyde University;  Tug of War:  Denny AC.

Women’s 100 yards: R Elliott, Fauldhouse, in 11.5 off 1 1/2″;  Women’s 220 yards: FG McNab, Western LAC, in 26,6 off 11 yards.   Women’s  4 x 110 relay: Western LAC.

Not a long report, and the results were equally skimpy – eg only winners were listed and in the women’s relay, no time given.   Piggott, Morrison, the three in the road race, the Victoria Park relay team and the ‘heavies’ were all of a high standard.

Lachie Stewart, Dunblane Road Race victor in 1965, 1966 , 1968 and 1969

Glasgow Herald, 16th September, 1968

COMFORTABLE VICTORY FOR STEWART

You go to Dunblane Highland Gathering looking for a colourful spectacle, a big crowd and not much in the way of inspired athletics; that was precisely the picture on Saturday at Laighhills Park, writes Ron Marshall.   The winner who could claim to have had the most strenuous afternoon was Lachie Stewart, king of the roads this season, who went away with another £4 prize after what seemed like a comfortable win in the 14-mile race.   Grant, of Dundee, fell into the trap of trying to match strides with Stewart during the early stages and encountered the kind of acceleration that Stewart usually reserves for the finish.   Thereafter Grant dropped back behind Pat Maclagan and Donald Macgregor and those four finished in that order.   Maclagan was about 30 yards behind at the tape but said later he was sure Stewart was only loafing the latter part of the route.   Miss Moira Walls, with no high jump bar in sight, took to the sprints as the only outlet for her many talents and strode off with both prizes winning the 100 yards in 11.2 and the 220 in 26.4, both from middle-of-the-field handicaps.   The men’s sprints were undistinguished but Youths winner, D Strathdee was good enough to record 10 seconds off two and a half yards, or about four seconds faster than the senior winner.   Douglas Edmunds, currently reported to be tipping the scales at more than 19 stone, gave one of the best shot putt performances of the year, reaching 51′ 1 1/2″ , but in his other speciality, the caber, was marginally beaten by George McHugh.”

Winners: 

100 yards:  A Smart, Ballingry, in 10 sec off 10 1/2 yards;  220 yards: JM Christie, Ballingry, in 23.2 off 20 yards;  880 yards: RR Campbell, Forth Valley, in 1:56.3 off 14 yards;  Mile: I Young, Springburn, in 4:16.4 off 80 yards; Road Race: JL Stewart, in 1:15:48; Mile Medley Relay:  Bellahouston 2:55.0; High Jump: F McEvilly, Victoria Park, with 6′ 6″ with 9″ allowance; shot putt: DM Edmunds, Strathclyde University, 51′ 1 1/2″ off scratch;  Scots Hammer Throw: LM Bryce, Strathclyde University, with 121′ 9″ (I McPherson had a throw of 120′ 6″, a ground record, from scratch); Caber: G McHugh (Bellahouston); Youths 100 yards: D Strathdee, Stirling AAC, in 10 sec off 2 1/2 yards;  Junior 880 yards: D McEwan, Perth Strathtay, in 1:58 off 40 yards; Women’s 100 yards:  M Walls, Western LAC, in 11.2 off five and a half yards; Women’s 220 yards: M Walls, in 26.4 off 11 yards.   

There was no women’s relay result published in 1968.    

Victoria Park relay team – Andy Wood on the left, Hugh Barrow on the right.

In 1969 the sprinters were in good form in both men’s and women’s events.  Note that Georgena Craig of Western was running in the 4 x 110 team and it is a bit of a mystery why the Gathering had never had a middle distance race for the women – the men’s 880 had had several heats every year and there was also a Junior Men’s 880 so it would have been no problem to have a women’s 880 at the same time.   Note that the meeting continued to evolve with new events – the heavies were a comparatively recent addition and 1969 was the first year that there was a Three Miles event.

WOOD DOMINATES DUNBLANE SPRINTS

AJ Wood (Victoria Park) was again the star sprinter on Saturday at the Dunblane Highland Games.   After returning a winning time of 9.9 seconds off a one yard handicap in the 100 yards, he went on to take second place in the 220 yards event, despite starting three yards behind scratch.  First place went to 24 yard handicap runner AJ McManus (Babcock & Wilcox).   Lachie Stewart (Shettleston Harriers) had a 30 yard lead over Fergus Murray (Edinburgh SH) after 9 miles of the 14 mile road race and stretched the margin to 300 yards by the finish.   His time of 1:15:27 was one minute outside the record he set four years ago.   Laurie Bryce (Strathclyde University) with victories in the caber and 28lb weight collected the Brown Trophy for heavy events.   George McHugh (Bellahouston) won the shot putt with a ground record of 53′ 3″.

Results: 100 yards:  AJ Wood, Victoria Park, in 9.9 sec off 1 yard; 220 yards:   AJ McManus, Babcock & Wilcox, in 23 sec off 24 yards;  880 yards: A McLelland, Springburn Harriers, in 1:55.3 off 34 yards;  Mile: DF Gemmell, Clydesdale, in 4:23.4 off 105;  3 Miles: D Gunstone, Dundee Hawkhill, in 14:10.4 off 250 yards;  Road Race:  1. JL Stewart, Shettleston, in 1:15:27;  2. AF Murray in 1:16:20, 3. AA Johnstone, Victoria Park, in 1:17:20;  Medley Relay (1750 yards): Victoria Park (WH Barrow, G Cameron, L Harris, AJ Wood) in 3:09.1; Youths 100 yards:   J Tatton, Shettleston  in 10.3 off 2 1/2 yards; Junior 880 yards: AJ Reid, Perth Strathtay, in 1:58.1 off 38 yards; Shot Putt: GB McHugh, Bellahouston, with 53′ 3″; 28lb weight:  LM Bryce, Strathclyde University, 67′ 7″; Hammer (Scots); I McPherson, Shettleston, 118′ 3″; Caber:   LM Bryce;  Tug of War:   Denny AC beat Glasgow Police two pulls to nil; Schoolboys 1 lap relay: Bridge of Allan, 2:01.1; Women’s 100 yards: C Miller, Forth Valley, in 10.8 sec off 8 yards;  Women’s 220 yards: MW Barclay, Tayside AAC, in 25.9 sec off 8 yards; Women’s 4 x 110 yards relay:  1. Select Team  of C Miller (FVAC), N Frame (Law), E Stewart (Western LAC) and M Barclay (Tayside AC) in 54.1,  2. Western LAC with J Jamieson, C Wilkie, J Cooper and G Craig

Pat Maclagan, Victoria Park

In 1970 the wonderfully successful Commonwealth Games had just ended and the European Junior Championships were taking place and the sport was on a real high.   The Gathering had  another successful year although some of the very top runners were missing, resting after the excitement and strenuous efforts first of qualifying for the Games and second of competing there and trying to raise their own game for the higher level of competition.   The report on Dunblane was necessarily brief.

Glasgow Herald, 14th September, 1970

McLEAN MAKES IT EASY FOR THE REST

The performance of Mike McLean in the inter-club relay on Saturday at Dunblane Highland Games gave his Bellahouston Harriers colleagues such a tremendous advantage that they easily held on to their lead and finished comfortable winners from Garscube Harriers.   Pat Maclagan (Victoria Park) led all the way in the 14 1/2 mile road race and won by 1 min 11 sec from Andrew Faulds (Clydesdale Harriers) in 1 hour 17 minutes 58 seconds.”

Winners:- 100 yards: E Kerr, Forth Valley, in 9.8 sec off 7 1/2 yards; 220 yards: H Smart, unattached, 23.6 off 15 yards; 880 yards: DM Kennedy, Aberdeen AAC, in 2:03.7 off 35 yards; Mile: T Wiseman, Garscube, in 4:24 off 125 yards; Three Miles: J Brown, Monkland, in 14:32 off 100 yards; Road Race:  1. P Maclagan, 1:17:58,  2.  A Faulds 1:19:01,  3.  IC Donald, Clydesdale, 1:20:50; Medley Relay:  Bellahouston (M McLean, J Carmichael, C Pennycook, F Clement) in 2 min 59 sec;  Youths 100 yards: R Hislop, Law, in 11 sec off 6 1/2 yards; Junior 880 yards: F Evans, Stirling AC, in 2:03.1 off 46 yards;  Shot putt: G Davidson, Edinburgh University, with 50′ 2″ off 8′ 3″; Hammer:  AR Valentine, Elgin, with 113′ 6″; Caber:  J Ferguson, Monkland; Tug-of-war: Denny AC beat Glasgow Police by two tugs to nil; Women’s 100 yards: I Jeffrey, Grangemouth Olympiads, in 11.8 sec off 7 1/2 yards; Women’s 220 yards: G Craig, Western AC, in 27.3 sec off 10 yards; Women’s 4 x 110  relay: Grangemouth Olympiads (I Jeffrey, C Morrison, C Miller and J Allan) in 54.3 seconds.

 Mike McLean (12) chasing GD Grant (Dumbarton – a frequent visitor to Dunblane) in the SAAA Championship

The decade had come to an end with the successful Dunblane Gathering (where expectations were a good bit higher than suggested by Ron Marshall in 1968, having grown over the period.   There were previously no heavy events but these were an established part of the programme by 1970, the endurance events were added to with the three miles event having been introduced in 1969.   If there were still a high jump, then it was not mentioned in reports for 1969 or 1970.   The talents which spectators were treated included Ronnie Whitelock, Mike Hildrey, Andy Wood (all VPAAC), Les Piggott (Garscube) and George McLachlan from St Modan’s in the sprints; Ian McCafferty, Andy Brown, Bert McKay (Motherwell), Graeme Grant, Hugh Barrow, Adrian Weatherhead and Mike McLean in the middle distances; Lachie Stewart, Fergus Murray, Pat Maclagan, Don Macgregor, and Alistair Johnstone in the longer distances; Doug Edmunds,  Laurie Bryce, Ian McPherson, Dave Valentine in the throws and Crawford Fairbrother in the High Jump while Moira Walls, Ann Wilson, Georgena Buchanan , Alex Jamieson and Jinty Jamieson (all Western LAC), Maureen McLeish (Perth Strathtay) ans several very good relay teams in the women’s events.   Where would the Gathering go from here?

Dunblane Highland Gathering: 1951 – 1959    .  

The above photograph appeared in the Stirling Observer of  18 September 1984.   The Dunblane 14 was a popular race on the road running circuit and came one week after the Shotts 14 mile road race.   A lap of the track, over some rough country to the Ramoyle district of Dunblane, then out past the Queen Victoria School to Greenloaning and Braco before returning back along the back road through Kinbuck to join the out road at QV School and  in to the arena.   It would be a dangerous road now simply because of the huge volumes of traffic on the motorway from Dunblane to Braco but at the time it was well organised and stewarded by member of the Scottish Marathon Club working with the organising committee.   

The Games from the late 1950’s were held at Laighhills Park – a nice walk round by the river to the Park, up the hill to the arena which was in a kind of natural amphitheatre with grassy banking around a flat well-cared for grassy track.   Dancers, wrestlers, pipers shared the centre with the athletes and it was really good day out for whole families.   The local history tells us that the Dunblane Highland Games ran from 1951 to the 1980’s.   There had been a Gathering there in the very early 1900’s but information of them is scanty.   The Gathering – for such it was despite the Games tag above – from 1950 was held on the second Saturday in September.   There was a gap from the end of the 60’s to 1976 which did not detract from the appeal for athletes or spectators after it came back.   An amateur meeting, the prizes and marvellous silver trophies were displayed for the week before the games in a local shop window – possibly the Co-op ?    .

The first of the Gatherings was covered by the Glasgow Herald under the headline “ARBUCKLE’S ROAD RACE WIN” which referred to Andy Arbuckle of Monkland Harriers winning the 14 mile road race in 1:20:04 from WR Gardner of Falkirk Victoria Harriers.   The handicap winner was none other than JR Scott of Glasgow YMCA – Jimmy Scott, secretary of the Scottish Marathon Club.   The other winners were :

100 yards: C Morrison, FVH, in 10.4 off 9 yards; 220 yards: DT Galloway, Maryhill Harriers in 25.1 from 15 yards; 880 yards: A Orr, Shettleston, in 2:06 off 38 yards;   Mile:  AH Brown, Motherwell, in 4:31.5  off 25 yards; One Lap Junior: W Cameron, Victoria Park, in 24.8 off 13 yards;   High Jump:  A Galbraith, St Modan’s, 6′ 4″ off 10″;  Mile Medley Relay:  Garscube Harriers, in 4:06.4.   

Note that the event was held at Duckburn Park a popular venue for many sports events in Dunblane but the Gathering would soon move to the more suitable Laighhills Park.   In 1952 the meeting was on 13th September and the headline was “HIGH JUMPERS EXCEL” and referred to two Victoria Park High Jumpers RWB Weldon and J Payne who were first and second in the competition with W Piper, the Scottish champion from Glasgow Police, equalling the winner’s height of 5′ 11″ but was unplaced on handicap.   The road race was won by Harry Howard (Shettleston) from CD Robertson (Dundee Thistle) in 1:15:05.   It was a short, 4 laps to the half mile track and J Hamilton of Victoria Park ws unplaced with Tom O’Reilly of Springburn winning from the 32 yards mark.   Principal Results:

100 yards: WT Kinnis, Shettleston, in 10 seconds off 2 yards; 220 yards: EA Ramage, Larkhall, in 23.6 off 20 yards; 880 yards: T O’Reilly, Springburn, in 1:59.4 off 32; Mile:  J Eadie, Shettleston, in 4:27 off ; Road Race:  H Howard, Shettleston, 1:15:05; Mile Medley Relay:  Bellahouston, in 3:48.6; High Jump:  RB Weldon, Victoria Park, 6′ 3″  off 4″; 100 yards Youths: GA McLachlan, St Modan’s, in 10’6 sec of   3 1/2 yards ;  880 yards Junior: DK Ferguson, Tillicoultry, in 2:02.5 off 25 yards;  100 yards Women: E Sealey, Maryhill, in 11.8 sec off 1 yard; 220 yards women: M Cook, Airdrie, in 27.9 sec off 9 yards; Women’s Relay 4 x 220: Maryhill Harriers in 1:54.6.

There had been an increase in the number of events and the standard was a bit higher than in the previous year – with the Harry Howard v CD Robertson duel on the roads being one that was replayed over several races for several years with the ‘winner’ alternating between the two.

One year later, on 11th September 1953, Howard repeated his victory, this time over Joe McGhee of St Modan’s.  Two very high quality athletes again gracing the event.   This time the winner was clocked at 1:14:46 and the handicap prize went to W Jackson of the Royal Navy.   JV Paterson was the SAAA Steeplechase champion in 1953 and won the mile comfortably in 4:26.2 from the virtual scratch mark of 40 yards.   In the half mile, Bill Linton of Braidburn AC was back marker and was third to finish.   Principal Results:

100 yards:  GA McLachlan, St Modan’s, 10.1 off 6 1/2;  220 yards: GP Reilly, Victoria Park, 23.4 sec off 18 yards;   Youths 100 yards:  RA Sim, Tillicoultry & Hillfoots, 10.5 sec off 5 yards; Junior 880 yards:   E Mason, Tillicoultry & Hillfoots, 2:01.6 off 36;  880 yards: JF Reilly, Victoria Park, in 1:59.6 off 52;  Mile:  JV Paterson, Edinburgh Southern, 4 min 26.2  off  40 yards; Medley Relay:  Victoria Park, 3:49;  High Jump:  GA Mclachlan, St Modan’s,  6′ 3″  with 7″ allowance; Women’s 100 yards WF Brunston, Q Club, in 11.5 sec off 7 yards; Women’s relay, 4 x 110 yards: Maryhill in 54.6 sec.

JV Paterson, a frequent5 visitor and winner at Dunblane

The Glasgow Herald report for the meeting in 1955 came under the banner of “McGHEE’S RECORD ROAD RACE TIME” and read as follows.   “The outstanding performance of the Dunblane Highland Gathering was the win of J McGhee (Shettleston Harriers) in the 14 mile road race in a record time for the course of 1:12:17.   Also inside the record were G King, Wellpark Harriers, and H Fox, Shettleston Harriers who finished second and third.   AH Brown (Motherwell YMCA) gained his third mile win in a row from the reduced handicap of 45 yards in the fine time of 4:19.1.   He was quickly up on the limit runners and with a lap to go he was at the head of the field.   He narrowly missed qualifying for the final of the half-mile, decided some time before the Mile.   Miss D Tyndall (Tayside), the Scottish women’s intermediate sprint champion, gave a fine performance in the women’s 100 yard final, gaining third place from the lowest possible allowance of half a yard.”

100 yards: WS Greingan, Victoria Park, in 10.2 sec from 2 1/2 yards; 220 yards:  W Reville, Shettleston, in 24 second off 13 yards;    880 yards:  J Connolly, Bellahouston, in 1:58.4 off 44; Mile: AH Brown, Motherwell, in 4:19.1 off 45; 14 Miles: J McGhee, Shettleston, in 1:12:17; handicap winner R Donald (Glasgow YMCA); Medley Relay: Braidburn AAC in 3:59; High Jump: F Masterson, Braidburn, 6′ 2 1/2″ with an allowance of 9 1/2″.  

Junior 880 yards: H Muir Victoria Park, 2:03.9 off  20 yards;  Youths 100 yards:  J Young, Springburn, in 10.6 off 4 1/2 yards.   Women’s 100 yards: M Mitchell, Q Club, in 11.4 off  6 1/2 yards; Women’s 220 yards:  M Mitchell, Q Club, in 27.6 sec off 14 yards.

We can also note from the report that there were Heats for the half-mile as well as for the sprints.   There was a quality to the meeting too with three National Champions in McGhee, Brown, Connolly and Fox all taking part.

In 1956 the meeting was still being held at Duckburn Park and the quality was even higher than in the previous year with several winners from 1955 coming back and winning again.  The Herald reported:   “The fifth annual Dunblane Highland Gathering, which were held at Duckburn Park, were notable for the success of the backmarkers in the track and field events.   R Whitelock (Victoria Park) was in splendid form in the open 100 yards, winning his Heat from half a yard in 10.4 seconds, and the final one-tenth faster time from a competitive list of 50 starters.   

JV Paterson (Edinburgh University), the Scottish recorder for the half-mile, won his Heat in 2:03.6 from four yards behind scratch, and took first place in the final with ease in 1:59.2.   He won the Shotts half-mile from scratch last week, and as the programme was made up a week ago, it was easier for the handicappers to drop Paterson four yards than to raise the handicaps of the other runners of whom there were 55.   AH Brown (Motherwell YMCA) was another competitor to beat a large field.   He won the Mile, off 30 yards, in 4:21.3 on a grass track.   W Piper (Glasgow Police) showed his best form this season when he cleared 6′ 3″ in the High Jump.   J McGhee (Shettleston) , the Scottish and Empire Games marathon champion, made a new record for the 14 mile course of 1:12:07.   A McDougal, Vale of Leven, was also inside the previous best time, finishing only 13 seconds behind McGhee.   P Moy, a clubmate, was third in 1:14:28.   

M Mitchell from Q Club won the women’s 100 yards from 3 yards in 11.3 seconds, and it was a long mark competitor, LM Quinn, Tayside, who won the 220 yards.”

Quality and quantity – Dunblane had both.   The numbers quoted for 100 and 880 yards were big and both were won by Scottish record breakers and champions.   Brown, Piper, McGhee, McDougall and Moy were all international athletes.   Other winners included CC Morrison, FVH, in the 220,  Clydesdale Harriers won the medley relay in 3:50.7 and Ardeer Recreation won the women’s 4 x 110 yards relay in 53.3 seconds.

George King leading Joe McGhee with Hugo Fox in fourth

In 1957 on September 14th, the man of the moment was JV Paterson.  He was back year after year as were such top guns as Andy Brown and Joe McGhee to run on a short distance grass track with big fields that the distance men had to weave their way through.   The Gathering must have had something to be so well supported.   The 1957 report read: “JV Paterson (Edinburgh University) the SAAA 440 and 880 yards champion, had a strenuous day at Dunblane Highland Games on Saturday, running in five races.   He won his Heat in the open 100 yards running from 4 yards, but was beaten in a semi-final.   He then ran from scratch in the open half-mile and qualified readily for the Final in which he was beaten in a fast finish by GW Jackson, a former Falkirk Victoria Harrier but now attached to Woodford Green AC, London, and RA McFall (Athenian AC).   Paterson conceded 30 yards to Jackson and 26 to McFall.   Paterson’s final appearance was in the Medley Relay in which he helped his team to victory.   Miss NP Beattie (Tayside AC) appeared to be well treated in the women’s sprint handicaps both of which she won. “

Winners: 100 yards: G McLachlan, St Modan’s, in 10 sec from 6 1/2 yards;  220 yards: N Taylor, Airdrie Harriers  in 23.3 off 21; 880 yards:  GW Jackson, Woodford Green, in 1;56.4  off 30 yards; Mile: R Black, Bellahouston, in 4:21.5 off 115 yards; 14 Mile Road Race:  1. H Fenion, Bellahouston, 1:12:36; 2. J Jones, Bedlington Harriers, 1:14:42; 3. H Fox, Shettleston, 1:15:29;  High Jump: D Morrison, Edinburgh Northern, 6′ 3″ with an allowance of 9″.   Medley Relay: Edinburgh University in 3 min 50 sec.   

Youths: 100 yards: A Black, Pitreavie AC,  in 10.4 sec off 1 yards;  880 yards: JB McLean, Dundee Hawkhill, in 2:00.2 off 42;  Women’s 100 yards:  NP Beattie, Tayside, in 11.4 sec off 8 yards;  220 yards:  NP Beattie in 26.3 sec off 17 yards.   Women’s 4 x 110 relay: Ardeer Recreation, 53.9;  Schools Relay:  1. Doune;  2. Braco; 3. Dunblane.

The outstanding decathlete George McLachlan of St Modan’s AC, had been a regular at Dunblane – it was his local meeting – but was a bit unfortunate when he returned to what had been a happy hunting ground for him in 1958.   It was a very good meeting with Joe McGhee returning to racing, WJ More, an outstanding steeplechaser and miler, Alan Houston a very good high jumper, Doris Tyndall returning to Dunblane again.   The Press report: “GA McLachlan, St Modan’s, was the outstanding sprinter at the seventh  Dunblane Highland Gathering.   He was only placed third in the Final but he was very close and had he not been pulled for beating the pistol there is little doubt that he would have won the handicap for he ran from one yard behind scratch.   The winner’s time of 9.6 sec from 6 1/2 yards suggests that the course was a little short.   J McGhee (Shettleston Harriers) , a former Empire Games marathon champion who has not raced for almost two years, ran in the 14 miles road race and finished a creditable third behind K Boyle (Sunderland|) and JA Gibson (Maryhill Harriers) who won at Shotts.   

A Houston (Victoria Park), a former British Junior High Jump champion, equalled his best with a jump of  6′ 2″ and won the event with his handicap of  2 1/2″.   Miss D Tyndall, Tayside AC, the Scottish women’s sprint champion, finished third  in the 100 yards off scratch to Miss H Inglis (Broxburn High School, who was brought back to two yards for her double at the Shotts meeting.   Miss Inglis also qualified for the Final of the 220 yards and finished second from the short mark of five yards.”

McLachlan was most unfortunate – in a championship or open graded meeting on a 440 yard track, he would have been warned and, unless he was illegal a second time, that would have been it.  But at the Highland Games, a false start meant being pulled back a yard.   There are those even in the 21st century who think that championships could do away with cards of any colour by adopting this simple rule – no runner wants to set up his blocks behind the starting line.

Principal Results:   100 yards: AD Scott, Victoria Park, 9.6 seconds off 6 1/2 yards;  220 yards: W Beresford, Airdrie, 22.2 off 15 yards;  880 yards:  WA Mason, Monkland Harriers, 1:55.0 off 18 yards; Mile: WJ More, Kilmarnock, 4:11.4 off 40 yards; 14 Mile Road Race:  K Boyle, Sunderland in 1:15:54;  Medley Relay:  Clydesdale H in 2:58.9;  High Jump: A Houston, Victoria Park, 6′ 4 1/2 ”   with an allowance of 2 1/2″.   

Youths: 100 yards: JW Burns, unattached, in 10.0 off 5 yards;  Junior 880 yards GH Hare, Monkland, in 1:57.2 off 40 yards; Women’s 100 yards: H Inglis, Broxburn AC in 11 seconds off 2 yards; Women’s 220 yards: Y Phillips, Dundee, in 26 seconds off 10 yards; Women’s 4 x110 relay: Broxburn AC in 53.3 seconds.

Andy Brown, four times mile winner and road race winner too at Dunblane.

McLachlan showed his class at Dunblane again in 1959 when he won the 220 yards from the three yards mark in 22.5 just a week after winning at Shotts.  He was unlucky again in the 100 yards at Dunblane though when he was eliminated in a semi-final when running from scratch.   Andy Brown ‘Scotland’s outstanding road distance runner’ won the road race by more than half a mile from Joe Connolly (Bellahouston) with Joe McGhee in third.  It was Brown’s seventh consecutive road race victory of the summer.   In the Women’s events, Broxburn AC won the 4 x 110 yards relay breaking the record set by Ardeer at Cowal Highland Games two weeks earlier.   Their winning time of 49.9 seconds was a tenth quicker.   Principal Results: 

Men’s 100 yards:  W Talbot, Glasgow Police in 9.8 sec off 5 yards; 220 yards: GA McLachlan, St Modan’s, 22.5 sec; 880 yards: J McLean, Dundee Hawkhill, 1:53.3 off 38;  Mile: R Penman, Bellahouston, 4:11.4 off 16; Road Race: AH Brown, Motherwell, 1:19:24; Medley Relay: Shettleston Harriers, 3:42; Youth 100 yards: J O’Donnell, Falkirk Victoria, 10 sec off 6 1/2 yards;  Junior 880 yards: AM Baxter, Dundee Hawkhill, in 1:57.4 off 32;  Women’s 100 yards: D Benassi, Broxburn, in 11.1 off 2 1/2 yards; Women’s 220 yards: H Inglis, Broxburn, in 26.1 off 4 yards; Women’s 4 x 110 relay: Broxburn (Bennassi, M Porteous, M Tripney and H Inglis) 49.9.

M Hildrey, Victoria Park

If the standard of competitor had been high, in 1960 it was such that the Glasgow Herald headline shouted loudly

A MEETING OF CHAMPIONS

“The feature of the Highland Games at Dunblane on Saturday was the meeting of MG Hildrey (Victoria Park) and R Whitelock of the same club, the present and past Scottish and sprint champions, in the open 100 yards championship.   Whitelock, off 1 yard, won his Heat in 10.2 sec, and Hildrey won his in the same time.   The two met in the first semi-final in which Hildrey beat his club mate in 10.1 sec, but Whitelock won the final by one yard  in 10.0 seconds.   Hildrey later won the handicap furlong from scratch in 22.9 seconds beating T Wilkie (Tillicoultry) and WM Campbell (Glashow University) to whom he was conceding 13 and 4 yards respectively.   W Black (Maryhill Harriers) won the half-mile handicap from the virtual scratch mark of 4 yards in 1:58.1.   The Scottish three mile champion, E Sinclair of Springburn Harriers, was first to finish in the 14 miles road race but as he was an unofficial starter, the race was awarded to JA Gibson, Maryhill Harriers, whose time was 1:23:44.   M Ryan, M Varman, GA McLachlan and JH Murray was the successful team for St Modan’s in the Mile Medley Relay .”

Results:  100 yards:  R Whitelock, Victoria Park, in 10.0 off 1 yard;  220 yards: M Hildrey, Victoria Park, in 22.9 off scratch;  880 yards: W Black, Maryhill, in 1:58.1 off 4 yards;  Mile: R McFall, Edinburgh Southern, in 4:20.6 off 55 yards; Road Race, JA Gibson, Maryhill, in 1:23:44;  Medley Relay:  St Modan’s AC in 3:42.2.    High Jump:  G Gorman, Victoria Park, 6′ 0 1/2″ with a 9″ allowance; Youths 100 yards: J Brannan, Bowhill YC, in 10 sec off 5 1/2 Yards; Junior 880 yards: J Finn, Monkland Harriers, 2:01.9 off 4 yards; Women’s 100 yards: E Steedman, Broxburn AC, in 11.6 sec off 5 yards; 220 yards:  E Steedman in 27 sec off 1 yards; Women’s 4 x 110 Relay: Broxburn (Benassi, Steedman, Tripney and Inglis), 2. Maryhill;  3. Springburn.  Won in 51.9 seconds.

In Part Two of the Dunblane Gathering story we will cover the period from 1961 to 1984 – there was a gap of several years when there was no Gathering but we can come to that.   So far we have seen the progress from the first of the series in 1951 to 1960 when there had been Scottish and international champions running, Scottish and British record holders in competition and characters galore flocking to the small cathedral city in central Scotland.

Dunblane Highland Gathering: 1960 – 1970  .   Dunblane Highland Gathering: 1971 – 1984

RISE OF THE VETERAN MOVEMENT

Walter Ross

In 2020, the SVHC celebrates 50 years of lively existence. Long may Masters Athletics continue to flourish!

In the 1970s, the Club was almost completely organised by and for Men over the age of 40. Nevertheless, Dale Greig (a Scottish cross-country champion who, in 1967, had set the first Women’s world marathon record) did a tremendous amount of work helping the founder, Walter Ross, not only by typing up the first decade’s Newsletters, which were either a single sheet of paper, printed on both sides, or a couple of sheets stapled together. This Newsletter was posted out to members three or four times a year. DALE HAS SINCE BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE SCOTTISH ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME.

By the mid-1970s, Dale Greig and her friend [former Scottish track and cross-country champion Aileen Lusk (nee Drummond)] took part in at least two Scottish Veteran Women’s XC championships and raced as guests in Club events. However, these championships may not have been restarted until 1984, when the SWCCU accepted a W35 category in the Women’s Senior National XC.

Between 1980 and 1985, competing in W50 and W55 age groups, Aileen won four bronze medals for road running in World Veteran Championships. Alastair Wood, Bill Stoddart and Donald Macgregor had been World Veteran Champions, as well as Emmet Farrell, Gordon Porteous and David Morrison. A key moment had been in late 1982, when the SVHC accepted Veteran Women as full members; and shortly afterwards, Aileen Lusk and Molly Wilmoth joined the Club committee. From then on, the number of Female SVHC runners grew steadily. From 1993, the Scottish Veteran XC Championships included races on the same day at the same venue for both sexes. Nowadays, of course, there are almost as many Female runners as Men in most events. When it comes to International Masters Championships, it seems that Scottish Women usually gain more medals than the Men.

How has the fixture list changed? Well, less than might be imagined. From 1972 until 1984, the annual Scottish Veteran Harriers Open XC (for Men) was the Scottish Vets Championship; thereafter the SCCU took over. The list included: at least two other club cross-country races, a hill race; road races over 10 miles, half marathon and marathon; a road relay; the Christmas Handicap (over a distance of four and two-thirds of a mile), the Glasgow 800 road race; and Outdoor Track and Field championships. British Veteran events featured: XC (for Women too) and Track and Field (including 10,000m). Both European and World Veterans Championships had Track, Field, 10,000m, and Marathon.

In 1988, the first Home Countries Veteran/Masters XC International took place; and this has developed into perhaps the most important race of the year for the fastest Scottish distance athletes. Certainly by 1989, the Kelvin Hall Indoor Track and Field allowed Scottish Vets to race on the boards, throw or jump, while sheltered from the elements.

The 2019 fixture list contained: Christmas Handicap; Snowball Race; Cairnpapple Hill Race; SVHC 5k, 10 miles, half marathon, marathon, 10,000m; SAL Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Masters XC; BMAF road relays, 10k, ten miles, half marathon, marathon, XC; British and Irish Masters XC International; European Masters Outdoor Track and Field; World Masters etc etc. As I suggested above: FLOURISHING.

But let us not forget so many SVHC members, not only the champions but all the hard-working officials and everyone who trained and raced as well as they could, were as fit as possible in several age groups and who loved the ups and downs of a tough, rewarding sport. In another 50 years, I am optimistic that the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club, by this or a revised name, can reach its centenary!

N.B. Please note the following websites for a wealth of statistics and detailed reading:

* Scottish Distance Running History (especially The Veterans section);

* Anent Scottish Running;

*the Archive of the Scottish Road Running and Cross Country Commission; and

*the Scottish Athletics Archive (or Scottish Association of Track Statisticians).

                                                         THE BEGINNINGS

A veteran movement had been started in Germany to cater for long distance runners in the older age bracket, named IGAL for short.   Its idea was to foster the love of distance running for its own sake over path, road and field but even masters or veterans have not entirely lost their competitive urge and inevitably it was mandatory to promote annual road races at 10 kilometres (six and a quarter miles) and 25 kilometres (fifteen and five eighth miles) and in alternate years 10 kilometres and the full marathon distance.   A few years later a world veteran movement was formed, the WAVA, setting up a programme involving all athletic track and field events like a minor Olympic Games for older athletes to be held every two years.   The age categories  were over forty for men and thirty-five for women. Eventually it was agreed that groupings should be in five year periods.  Even five-year groupings are arbitrary but perhaps as practical as possible.

In 1970 Walter Ross was instrumental in starting and developing a Scottish veteran movement.   At first it was almost like a family gathering of older runners but later it spread in numbers and in competitive intensity. 

John Emmet Farrell

Perhaps the best account of the club’s origins comes from the late Jack MacLean, a real stalwart and a founder member of SVHC. There follows an excerpt of his profile from the website Anent Scottish Running. 

The club in which Jack has been most active is the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club, of which he (used to be) the only surviving founder member.   The other members of the group were Walter Ross of Garscube Harriers, Jimmy Geddes of Monkland Harriers, George Pickering, Roddy Devon of Motherwell and Johnny Girvan of Garscube.  How did that come about?

After the Midland District Cross-Country Championship at Stirling University in 1970, Walter Ross spoke to me.   He wanted to form a Veterans club with a minimum age of 40 years, and paid me the compliment of being one of the enthusiasts of the game.   The committee was formed of Walter and six others, and we held our meetings in Reid’s Tea Room in Gordon Street with a regular starting time of 7:00pm.   We all put forward our ideas and Walter drew up a constitution.   In the beginning the age groups went up in ten-year intervals.

 I organised the very first Veterans race: the SVHC (Club Members only) Cross Country Championships.   It was in Pollock Estate on Saturday 20th March, 1971 (i.e. in the 1970-71 season).   We had very few officials at that point: Davie Corbet of Bellahouston started the race and shouted the times to George Pickering of Renfrew YMCA.   I had laid the trail in the morning with markers of wee pegs with paper attached.   33 runners started and 32 finished.   As I worked in the “Daily Record”, I arranged for a reporter and a photographer to attend.   There was a wee piece in the Daily Record about it.     

The race was run over about 5 miles and the winner was Willie Russell of Shettleston.   He was followed by Hugh Mitchell, Willie Marshall, Tommy Stevenson, Willie Armour, Chic Forbes, Jack McLean and Andy Forbes in that order.  Andy Forbes won the Over 50 title from Tommy Harrison and Walter Ross. John Emmet Farrell was first Over 60, in front of Harry Haughie and Roddy Devon.    Shettleston Harriers won the Team Award.  

Within a year we had 1000 members from the whole of Scotland.   Internationally we had great success as a small country. 

•   In Cologne 1972 I ran the World Masters marathon, Bill Stoddart ran in the 10,000m.   The Australians were boasting that they had the certain winner in Dave Power, double gold medallist (six miles and marathon) in the Empire Games in Cardiff.   Bill Stoddart beat Power in just over 30 minutes.  
• Walter organised a large group to go to Paris for the World Masters Marathon in 1974.  There were between 600 and 700 runners.  On a day that was great for the spectators with a temperature of 88 degrees and not a cloud in the sky, Alastair Wood won the men’s marathon in 2:28:40 and Dale Greig won the Ladies marathon (Dale went on to compete in 10 IGAL Championships and three European Championships: and is now in the Scottish Athletics Hall of Fame.)
  Charlie Greenlees of Aberdeen was 23rd and I was 33^rd. We won the team race and I was 7th British runner to finish. 
• 
•  
• 
•                                                                                        Left to Right: Dale Greig and Aileen Lusk 
• In 1980 the Scottish Vets staged the World Championships for 10,000m and the marathon.   I, along with Willie Armour set out the course: Willie in his car with the clipboard, me walking with a surveyor’s wheel measuring the course.   On the day, the whole thing went off very well with the Glasgow Corporation giving a great meal to the competitors in the City Chambers. Donald Macgregor won the M40 Marathon title.
• 

                                                                                                                 Donald Macgregor

Having been one of the founding members of the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club, I served on the Committee for 10 years before giving it up.   One of the unsung pillars of the organisation was Dale Greig. She worked for Walter in his printing business and, as well as typing the newsletters, she did a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes.   (Walter and Dale certainly produced many Newsletters – although others contributed a lot –  and subsequent editors included: Owen Flaherty, Henry Muchamore, Jack Newbigging, Kay Dodson, David Fairweather, Colin Youngson and Paul Thompson.)

Jack (in an SVHC vest) with 200 yards to go in the 1980 New York Marathon where at the age of 51 he ran a time of 2:55 

SCOTTISH VETERANS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE FIRST OFFICIAL RACE

Bill Stoddart with the British Veterans Cross Country Trophy. He defeated England’s Arthur Walsham by thirty seconds. In 1972 he became the first Scot to win a World Veteran Championship: 10,000m in Cologne.

The second Championship (i.e. in the 1971-72 season), this time officially recognised by the Scottish Cross Country Union, was on 4^th March 1972, at Clydebank, Dunbartonshire. The course was five miles (or eight kilometres) long. The SVHC organised the event, assisted by Clydesdale Harriers.

Bill Stoddart (Greenock Wellpark H) won easily, from Hugh Mitchell (Shettleston H) and Moir Logie (East Kilbride AAC). M50 champion was Andy Forbes (Victoria Park AAC), in front of Tommy Harrison (Maryhill H) and Walter Ross (Garscube H). Emmet Farrell (Maryhill H) retained his M60 title from Ron Smith (SVHC) and George Taylor (Shettleston H). Greenock Wellpark Harriers won the Team Award.

In the programme, Walter Ross, the SVHC Secretary, and a very important figure in the development of Scottish Veteran Athletics, published a poem (written many years earlier by an anonymous Clydesdale Harrier). Walter suggested it could be retitled ‘To a Veteran’.

To a Harrier

Some fellow men seem lucky, yet

I yearn to change with few,

But from my heart this afternoon,

I needs must envy you,

Mud-splattered runners, light of foot,

Who on this dismal day

With rhythmic stride and heads upheld

Go swinging on your way.

A dismal day? A foolish word;

I would not, years ago,

Despite the drizzle and the chill,

Have ever thought it so;

For then I might have been with you

Your rich reward to gain:

That glow beneath the freshened skin,

O runners through the rain.

All weather is a friend to you:

Rain, sunshine, snow or sleet.

The changing course – road, grass or plough –

You pass on flying feet.

No crowds you need to urge you on;

No cheers your efforts wake.

Yours is the sportsman’s purest joy –

you run for running’s sake.

O games are good – manoeuvres shared

To make the team’s success,

The practised skill, the guiding brain,

The trained unselfishness.

But there’s no game men ever played

That gives the zest you find

In using limbs and heart and lungs

To leave long miles behind.

I’ll dream that I am with you now

To win my second wind,

To feel my fitness like a flame,

The pack already thinned.

The turf is soft beneath my feet,

The drizzle’s in my face,

And in my spirit there is pride,

for I can stand the pace.

(Brian McAusland adds: a romantic view of cross-country, no doubt, but perhaps how we all feel, briefly, on a very good day! The first SVHC Cross Country Championship took place in 1971. We owe those pioneers a great deal.)

The ‘anonymous Clydesdale Harrier was Thomas Millar who had been club secretary for many years and contributed to the local Press under the pen name ‘Excelsior’.   After being a member for decades he moved to the English Midlands which was where he sought work as an accountant.   His son Gavin is a film director, BBC programme producer, director, actor and has been responsible for many excellent programmes.

(In the July 1992 SVHC Newsletter, the founder Walter J. Ross wrote the following, which makes clear how several important club members had been honoured for their invaluable services to running.)

IN THE PASSING

History moves on – and in the name of progress or otherwise there are bound to be changes. Whatever one’s views are of the reorganisation into one single Scottish Athletics Federation and the demise of the long-established ‘Governing Bodies’, there has to be some tinge of sadness at the winding up of the latter.

The Scottish Amateur Athletic Association and the Scottish Cross-Country Union have completed their centenaries.

However, on a nice note relating to the SVHC, it was pleasing that Danny Wilmoth, in the last year of the SCCU, was honoured as President (in 1996, for many years of excellent work for the SVHC, Danny was – unanimously – made an Honorary Life Member); and that John Emmet Farrell and Gordon Porteous were elected SCCU Honorary Life Members and presented with Scrolls. It is understood that there were only thirteen such elected persons in the 100 years of the SCCU and that includes our two Past Presidents Roddy Devon and George Pickering and also W.J. Ross. Ian Clifton, who has been a member of the Scottish Vets for some years, also gave great service to the SCCU as Hon. General Secretary.

It should also be acknowledged that in the Women’s movement, Molly Wilmoth has been a President of the Scottish Women’s Cross-Country Association; and Aileen Lusk was a past Secretary. Dale Greig – a behind-the-scenes activist for the Scottish Vets, had been Secretary, Treasurer, President and Life Vice-President.

We have also officials and members – too numerous to mention – who have given, and continue to give, much time and service to the whole sport.

Walter Ross was a wonderful man – friendly, gentle and a real enthusiast for the sport of athletics, in particular distance running.   The articles and obituaries below will testify to that in better words than I can muster but I was fortunate enough to have met him many times and hear him speak in public at dinners and prize givings.  I remember him speaking at a Clydesdale Harriers Presentation when he was guest of honour in the early 1970’s and, commenting on the novel concept of ‘fun-running’ as proselytised by Brendan Foster, saying “… but when was running not fun?”   

I first saw Walter, as distinct from meeting him, when I turned up for my first ever county championships at the Brock Baths in Dumbarton.   As we lined up on the Common for the start of the race, I saw this chap trotting across to the starting line with a young woman running beside him.   Younger than he was, and taller than he was, it was Dale Greig whose marathon career he whole heartedly supported, indeed when she went to run in the Isle of Wight Marathon, she stayed with Walter’s brother.    An excellent athlete on the track, over the country and on the road, a distinguished official and capable administrator, she worked with Walter on the ‘Scots Athlete’ magazine which he founded.  

When the veteran harrier movement started up, he was the man who really provided the impetus to get the movement off the ground and keep the movement going until its impetus and sheer momentum kept it going.  

Brian McAusland

However, we should look at his life in athletics and I reproduce the articles from his obituary and accompanying articles in the

Here are some comments about Walter from his obituary edition of the SVHC Newsletter of August 1993.

Walter Ross – what a sad loss this man will be to Scottish Veteran Harriers.   His generosity in providing printing services, including this magazine, prizes at races and gifts to the Ladies at Christmas will be greatly missed.   Walter was very enthusiastic about Veteran Athletics and he spread his infectious enthusiasm and love of the sport throughout many countries worldwide, as he travelled to further the Veterans movement.   He was a member of IGAL and set up world and European Championships in many countries.   Walter’s other hobby was ballroom dancing and with his wife, Winnie, would give excellent demonstrations at many of the Veterans social functions.   Walter printed ‘The Scots Athlete’ magazine in 1946 – before any other magazine in Scottish athletics was thought about.   A man before his time, indeed.

Walter was never one to complain, although towards the end of his life, he was suffering.  He still managed to travel to Birmingham to see the SVHC vest represented amongst the world’s Veteran movement.   I personally will miss our chats in his office on a Friday morning.   Often we would be discussing a problem and with his usual smile, Walter would say, “Don’t worry, it will work out all right on the day, don’t worry.”  The Scottish Veteran Harriers will never forget Walter Ross.   We are all indebted to Walter, both as a founder member of our club and for his loyalty, support and friendship over many years.   Next year we plan to have a Memorial race and we are sure that club members will turn out to give something back to the man who started it all – Walter Ross.

Daniel Wilmoth, President SVHC

The Great Enthusiast

 For the first time in years I know my telephone will not ring late tonight, previously a frequent feature of my evenings, for although I saw Walter at work every day, there would often be a late night call, an encore, an epilogue to the day’s activities; some business to discuss or just some piece of news or ‘tittle-tattle’ to impart.   The silent bell, as the day ends, speaks volumes.   More than anything it brings home to me the realisation that Walter J Ross, my long-time friend and colleague is gone, and that his voice will be heard no more.

Yet whilst mourning his death, those of us who knew him well will not lose sight of the important thing – that he did live, a life of struggle in many ways, but a life full of meaning.   He has left all who know him and associated with him the memory of a true friend for whom service was more important than success and the joy and purpose of life.   He was just 27 years old when he first published ‘The Scots Athlete’, regarded now as a great historical reference for the sport.   Just as that publication was the articulation of the young man’s vision, so the founding of the SVHC in 1970 shows he still had the same vision and vigour when he had passed his 50th birthday.   He had stayed the distance.

Walter was one of those mortals who never grows old.   He retained that youthful enthusiasm, competitive spirit and robustness of purpose that was an inspiration to us all.   His running activities took him all over the world, and when he wasn’;t competing in races he was ‘running’ them (!), the most notable being the World IGAL championships (10K and Marathon) which he brought to Glasgow in 1980.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” (Emerson) was a bye-line that ‘The Scots Athlete’ carried for many years, Walter was enthusiasm personified in everything he tackled.   He was a great champion too of women’s struggle for advancement, particularly in sport.   When I helped found the Women’s Cross-Country Union in 1960, this too was Walter in the background with another of his ‘marvellous’ ideas!

I did not expect his life to end in the way it did.   Unfortunately, death is no respecter of persons or age.   As Omar says: ‘The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on’.   It is, knowing him, a happy thought that his courage, determination and mental vigour remained undiminished to the end.   I last saw him some 36 hours before he died, when, ever the optimist, he asked me to make travel arrangements so that he could have a holiday when released from hospital!   And so, at last, farewell, dear friend.   But not to forget .. only a kind of chastened au revoir.   In spirit you are with us always!

Dale Greig

(Dale, a fine Scottish International runner, worked as secretary for the editor and publisher, Walter Ross of ‘The Scots Athlete’ and then the typed up many SVHC Newsletters.)

FRIENDS FOR HALF A CENTURY

Having known Walter for over 50 years – even before I met my wife, Jean – it is no wonder that his passing has left me devastated.   Walter showed his pioneering qualities by launching in 1946 ‘The Scots Athlete’ to which I made a monthly contribution under Running Commentary. The magazine was well-received and travelled to many countries.   However, it was non-profit-making, and Walter’s principles wouldn’t allow him to take adverts for drink or tobacco.   Sadly, it finally closed.  

Gentle and endearing, Walter had the highest of ethical standards, especially if injustice was involved, or man’s inhumanity to man.   His optimism was remarkable despite the stress of business and later, domestic duties.   And starting up the Scots veteran athletic movement was an act of real citizenship.   Walter admired the talented elite, but wanted sport to be for all.   I’m sure many new adherents joining us for competitive or constitutional reasons do not know that this quiet, modest little chap was the cause of their new-found opportunity to enhance the quality of their lives.

From the approximate 12 apostles, the movement has now grown almost a hundred-fold.   Robert Louis Stevenson said: “To miss the joy is to miss all.”   Walter would have endorsed that.  

In almost all strata, today’s world is very professionally-oriented or, to put it bluntly, MONEY-MAD!”   But Walter, on the other hand was the supreme amateur.   The multitude of veterans who run on country roads or woodland paths and grassy verges, rejoicing in the colour and poetry and space of the great outdoors, provide a living and vital memorial to a person for whom there is only one epithet.   Unique.

John Emmet Farrell

Walter J. Ross, founder member of the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club, died on 22/4/93 at the age of 74 after a lifetime devoted to athletics. He ran with Garscube Harriers from boyhood until he was forced to retire at 64 with arthritis. 

He was a life vice-president of IGAL unitl 1988, when it merged with WAVA. He edited, printed and published “Scots Athlete” from 1946-1958. His enthusiasm and organisation laid the foundations of Veteran Athletics in Scotland, and the present members owe a lot to his vision and example. He brought the World IGAL 10k and Marathon to Glasgow in 1980; and his trips to Vancouver, Perpignan, Bolton etc, will be long remembered.

Walter was unique in that he was the supreme optimist and enthusiast – we will miss his kindness and his contributions to our lives.

David Morrison

The Scottish Road Running and Cross-Country Commission Archive is an invaluable source of Championship results.

For the 1970s and 1980s the following Cross-Country information is listed:

In 1972, the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club introduced an open championship – effectively a Scottish Championship since it was open to non-members.

                                                                      Cross-Country Championships for Veteran Women

Dundee Hawkhill Harriers Ladies Section 1932. In the 1930s, Hawks were very successful in the SWCCU Championships – but no Veterans seem to be involved above.

Henry Muchamore remembers that one important thing he did with Henry Morrison and Ian Steedman in 1982/3 was to change the SVHC constitution to enable Female Veterans over 35 to become full members. However, their membership was slow to grow. Molly Wilmoth (wife of Danny) and Aileen Lusk were key in developing recruits. In late 1989, Molly Wilmoth [(nee Ferguson) a former Scottish cross-country internationalist and twice winner of the Scottish 880 yards title] became the first Female President of the SVHC, with Kay Dodson the Vice-President.

Here are a few landmarks: 

In August 1980, Aileen Lusk finished third W50 in the IGAL (World Veterans) 10k Road Race in Glasgow.

                                                                          The Glasgow 1980 World Veterans Road Races medal

(Aileen said that she used to run with Dale Greig on Thursday nights in Bellahouston Park and it was Dale who encouraged her into vets racing and trying the marathon: the first was at Inverclyde where she suffered badly on a very hot day in August 1981 but she managed to finish first W50 in 3.45.36.)

               Dale Greig and Aileen Lusk

In late 1982, Aileen Lusk and Molly Wilmoth were the first two Women Vets to join the SVHC Committee. Four Female SVHC runners completed the Glasgow Marathon.

By early 1983, in the British Vets XC Championships, all Veteran Women ran with M50+ Men, over 5000m. Aileen Lusk (W50) and two younger ‘Lady Veterans’ completed the ‘Glasgow 800’ 6.6 Miles Road Race. Molly Wilmoth ran a 10k. Other Women completed Half Marathons.

A real pioneer, Aileen Lusk ‘a Scottish National mile and cross-country champion three decades ago, deservedly gained World Veteran medals for third place in both the 10k and 25k events in the W55-59 category.’ This was in the International Veterans (IGAL) road running championships (on the 15^th and 16^th October 1983) at Perpignan in the South of France. 

(The Scottish Athletics Archive notes the following:

Aileen LUSK (1928-)

Club: Western

Born Aileen Drummond, she was Scottish WAAA  880y champion in 1954 & 55, Mile Champion in 1953, 54 and 55, and Cross-Country champion 1954 to 1956. During 1954-1956 she ran for Scotland once on the Track and three times over Cross-Country.

1967 1 Mile  5.57.7 ranked 7th

1969 1500m  5.17.11 ranked 5th

1971 1500m  5.54.42 ranked 8th

1971 3000m  12.31.2 ranked 11th)

In 1984, Helen Fyfe, Mary Houston and Mary Marshall ran the Tom Scott Veteran 10 Mile Championship in April. Aileen Lusk completed the SVHC 10,000m track. She finished behind Helen Fyfe in the club Half Marathon but in front of three other Women; Margaret Robertson ran fast in a 1500m Time Trial.

The track season review included the following: “In the women’s events, the number of entrants is still small, but a start has been made, and next year we can expect a fair increase in numbers. In the 100 and 200, Katherine Laing gained a double; as did Molly Wilmoth in the 400 and 800; and Hazel Stewart in the discus and javelin. Aileen Lusk ran a tremendous 5000m in 22.48.6, which must be at least a British W55 best.”

                      In June 1984, Aileen recorded 45.21 to win her age-group in the inaugural ‘10K-OK’ women-only race in Glasgow

In June 1985, at Lytham St Anne’s, Aileen Lusk added another bronze medal in the W55-59 category of the 10k race which was part of the IGAL World Veterans Road Championships.

In the Christmas 1986 Newsletter, Molly Wilmoth wrote:

“As a lady veteran, a Committee Member and also the wife of your membership secretary (Danny), I decided it was about time to put the spotlight on our lady members.

From the membership roll, I see that a large percentage is female – 17 new members in the last three months alone.

So what we have to do now is get the pleasure of meeting each other.

New members can have a shyness, a feeling of wondering what kind of reception they’ll get turning up for a race, maybe a fear of being too slow to compete.

Honestly, there’s no need to worry. And from all accounts, lady vets in the north-east are discovering that fast.

One suggestion I’d like to make is that we have a meeting of females only. We could have a pack run, followed by a cup of tea and a chat.

This would let us meet one another, and discuss how we can strengthen the female numbers at veteran races.

So my message to all lady members of the SVHC is to forget your doubts and let’s meet.

If you’re interested in a Ladies Day, please give me a ring any time after six o’clock (in the evening!).”

In the 1987 Glenrothes Half Marathon, when 1500 took part, W35 Jacqui Ferrari of Pitreavie finished first overall, and thus emulated Don Macgregor, Bill Stoddart and the renowned female marathoner Leslie Watson, who previously had all managed to win a road race outright, as well as being first Veteran. 

It seems likely that from the early 1970s, taking part as guests, one or two Women Vets (mainly W35 or W40 for a start), might run in SVHC XC events. Kay Dodson remembers taking part in several, mainly in the Central Belt : for example, on 1/12/85, 30/11/86, 17/1/88, 15/1/89, 14/1/90, 20/1/91, 22/12/91.

On 19/11/79, at Lochinch, Aileen Lusk was first W50, recording 39.13 for 5 Miles.

In 1987 at Dumbarton, over a 4000 metres course, Kate Chapman of Giffnock North was first W35 in 15.06, from Susan Belford (Kilbarchan) 16.04 and Jane Murray (Kilbarchan) 16.10.

On 17/1/88 at East Kilbride, Sue Belford (Kilbarchan) was first W35; Kay Dodson (Law) first W40; and Margaret Moore (Kilbarchan) first W50.

In 1989, Kate Chapman was first W35, from Kate Todd and Jane Murray; Kay Dodson won W40; Margaret Robertson W45; and Margaret Moore W50. The distance was 5 Miles, and Men and Women raced together.

In 1991, Janette Stevenson (W40) was first home; followed by Rose McAleese (W35). Jackie Byng won the W45 category; Margaret Robertson W50; and Margaret Moore W55.

In 1992, Janette won W40 again; Janet McCall W35; and Margaret Moore W55.

At some time, probably in the mid-70s, an annual W35 contest commenced, which was part of the Scottish Women’s National Cross-Country Championships, organised by either the Scottish Women Veteran Runners Association or the Scottish Women’s Cross Country Union and Road Running Association. (Dale Greig had been Senior National Champion four times.) The Scottish Senior Women’s Cross Country Championships started in 1932, continued until 1938; then restarted in 1950.

Henry Muchamore (who was SVHC General Secretary until 1985 then Vice President for a year before becoming President in 1991; and ran for Scotland as an M50 in the 1991 Cross Country International at Ampthill), added:

“The WCCU did not recognise FV age group categories (until 1984?). Only after much debate did the SCCU agree to adding one Veteran (now Masters) W35 age group in their Women’s Senior XC Championships. Now (2020) we have ALL Male and Female Age Groups included in the SAL Vets XC championships. It was a tough road to negotiate this, and in parts a ‘quagmire’ but we got there in the end.“

Records are incomplete; and races often badly reported, with Veterans omitted.

 Here is what can be found in the Glasgow Herald or Athletics Weekly or the SVHC Newsletter between 1975 and 1992. (There are much better results from Season 1992-93 onwards, when proper Combined Male and Female Veteran XC Championships started.)

1974-5 on 2nd March at Dalkeith:  Norma Campbell (Blaydon H) 22.12, Noreen O’Boyle (Victoria Park AAC) 23.21, Dale Greig Paisley H 25.51, Aileen Lusk (West) 27.06, Nessie Steel (Paisley) 27.45, Rita Docherty (Greenock) 28.39.

(Norma Campbell was actually 46 years old.)

(This 1975 race was the inaugural Scottish Women Veteran Runners Association championships, organised by ”that well-known marathon and cross-country runner” Dale Greig. In 1976 and 1977, this event was held at the same venue and day as the Scottish Veterans XC Championships, but over a shorter course than the men ran.)

1975-6 No SWVRA result has been found, but first Veteran in the SWCCU championships was Dale Greig, closely followed by Noreen O’Boyle.

1976-7 on 5th March at Coatbridge: Pearl Meldrum (Grangemouth) 21.15, Norma Campbell Berwick AC, 22.38 Dale Greig Paisley H 23.53, Aileen Lusk (Bishop) 24.29, E Steedman (Edin) 24.36. (The second and last result found for the SWVRA championships.) In the previously held SWCCU event on 19th February at Dumbarton, Pearl Meldrum was first Vet (and part of the winning Glasgow AC Senior team); with Dale Greig second Vet.

Dale Greig’s Scottish Women Veteran Runners Association cross-country championships ceased after the 1977 event, almost certainly because this was an idea ahead of its time and there were too few entrants to continue. Not until 1984 did SWCCU Championships include an official W35 category.

1977-8. There is no AW result for the SWCCU event. However, at Glasgow, in the SWCCU 4000m Closed Cross Country championship (for Scots only), Pearl Meldrum (Glasgow AC) was first Vet

1978-9 No SWCCU results found; but on 3rd March at Strathclyde Park, in the in the East v West XC, Pearl Meldrum finished 5th ‘Senior’.

1979-80 On the second of February 1980 at Lanark Racecourse, the former Scottish XC International and Marathon racing star, Leslie Watson, finished a good 10th in the SWCCU championships – alas, two days before her 35th birthday!

1983-4 at Beach Park, Irvine:  inaugural first W35 was Palm Gunstone (Dundee) 25.48, followed by Pearl Meldrum (Grangemouth) 26.05 and Margaret Robertson (Troon) 28.10 (Logically, between 1977 and 1983, Pearl Meldrum may well have been the best home-based Scottish Woman over-35 cross-country runner.) 

It seems likely that this 1984 SWCCU National Championships was the first one to feature a W35 category. Further evidence which suggests that from this season onwards there was official recognition of leading Veteran finishers in Senior Championships is that, for the first time, Male Veteran winners were mentioned in the results of the: East District XC (Rod MacFarquhar of Aberdeen); West District XC (Lachie Stewart of Shettleston); and Home Countries XC International match at Cumbernauld (Brian Carty of Shettleston).

(However, the first Woman in the 1984 Scottish Veteran XC Championships, was Ina Robertson (Scottish Vets) in 44.08. She ran the whole 10k course with the Men. Not sure if this was ‘legal’ for cross-country at the time; although Women could certainly run with Men in road races like marathons.)

1984-5: Lorna Irving (ESH) was first W35 (in 4th place overall); and Palm Gunstone (DHH) second W35. (Lorna had recently won the Scottish Peoples’ Marathon in Glasgow and went on to represent Scotland and finish a very good sixth in the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games Marathon.) 

1985-6 at Irvine on 23^rd February: Kay Dodson (Law and District) 25.49, Jean Sharp (Central Region AC) 26.07, Pearl Meldrum (Grangemouth) 26.48

1986-7 at Cowdenbeath: Lorna Irving (Edinburgh Southern Harriers) finished first W35 in 9^th place overall 25.39; 2nd W35 was Jacqui Ferrari (Pitreavie) in 26.52; and 3rd W35 was Kate Chapman (Giffnock North) in 28.48.

1987-88: on 28th February at Irvine, Heather Wisley (Fraserburgh) was first W35 (19th overall). (Heather was a former Aberdeen University squash ‘blue’ who took up running six months earlier, on reaching her 35^th birthday.)

1988-9 at Irvine: Patricia (Tricia) Calder (EAC) 6^th overall in 23.50, Janette Stevenson (FVH) 16th in 25.12. 1^st Vet team: Giffnock North.

1989-90 at Bridge of Don, Aberdeen: Renee Murray (Giffnock N) 23.44, Ann Curtis (Livingston) 24.10, Margaret Stafford (Aberdeen AAC) 24.37. First Vet team: Aberdeen AAC.

1990-91: on 24th February at Irvine, Tricia Calder (EAC) was first W35 (7th overall); Janette Stevenson (FVH) second W35/first W40 (19th); and Jackie Byng (Irvine) third W35 (but first W45).

1991-2 Janette Stevenson (Falkirk Victoria H) 9^th overall. (Christine Price, competing for Bolton, finished first Veteran in the English Cross-Country Championships.)

 In addition, there was a W35 category, especially in the West District XC. On November 24^th 1985 at Lanark racecourse, Kay Dodson finished 18th overall and won her age group.

1987: Kate Chapman (Giffnock North)

1988: Jean Sharp (Central Region AC

1989: Janette Stevenson (FVH)

1990: Rose McAleese (Monkland Shettleston)

1991: Janette Stevenson (FVH)

The only East Districts XC W35 result I can find is from 1988, when Liz Buchanan (Haddington) finished first.

The very first Veterans International Cross-Country Championships took place in 1988. Find a detailed summary of this great annual fixture in the Veterans Section of Scottish Distance Running History.

The British Veterans Athletics Association (BVAF) also organised XC Championships, in which M50 men raced against all Women Veterans over 5000m courses.  For example, at Irvine on March 13th 1988, well-known Scottish International Christine Price won the W35 category, with Janette Stevenson second. Margaret Robertson won W45 bronze; and Margaret Moore W50 bronze.

Palm Gunstone  who, in the 1970s, ran three times for Scotland in the World Cross, and went on to be the 1984 National XC W35 winner, remembers that there were differences of opinion in the Scottish Women’s Cross-Country Union. Some people thought 35 was too young to be a Vet and that the qualifying age should be 40, same as the Men. They also thought the distances were too short – 3 miles was the longest cross-country for Women in the 70s and early 80s; with 4000m being the usual distance.

Palm ran what she thinks was the first SWCCU Women’s Road Race Scottish Championships (over 10K) in Glasgow in 1984. Liz McColgan won the race and Palm was 1st Vet.

Therefore, during 1975-1992, it seems that Women Vets could not race officially on the same day and at the same venue as the Men’s Scottish Veterans XC Championships over 10K. 

From Season 1992-93, under the newly-formed Scottish Athletics Federation, Women Vets had a separate race at the same venue and on the same day as the Scottish Veterans XC Champs, in five-year age groups up to W55 (nowadays, in 2020, W75).

The distance that Veteran Women raced had increased to 6k; which nowadays is also the 5 Nations Masters International XC distance, although in the Scottish Masters XC Champs the Women still have a separate race; in the International, the Women run (and ‘murder’) the over-65 Men.

Weirdly, in the Scottish Vets XC, there was a W35 category from 1993 to 2013; but from 2014 this changed to W40 and upwards. Briefly, between 2006 and 2013, there was also an M35 age group but since then, only M40 and upwards. Yet, in the 5 Nations International, there are both W35 and M35 contests! 

 In 1985, the Scottish Cross Country Union introduced a Scottish Veteran Championship (over 40, over 50 and over 60), for Men, for individuals with a single combined team race. Initially these races were held in conjunction with the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club races. (Between 1985 and 1987, the SVHC presented medals for the M45, M55, M65, M70 and M75 age-groups; then the SCCU presented these medals from the 1988 Championships onwards.) 

M40

1971-2 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 29.52 Hugh Mitchell Shettleston H 31.27 Moir Logie East Kilbride AAC 31.49

1972-3 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 28.41 Charles McAlinden Babcock & Wilcox AC 29.20 Tom O’Reilly Springburn H 30.22

1973-4 Charles McAlinden Paisley H 27.47 William Russell Monklands H 28.54 William Ramage Springburn H 29.03

1974-5 Charles McAlinden Paisley H 28.52 Gordon Eadie Cambuslang H 29.41 Jim Irvine Bellahouston H 29.42

1975-6 Charles McAlinden Paisley H

1976-7 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 29.07 Robert McKay Clyde Valley AC 29.27 Robert McFall Edinburgh Southern H 29.56

1977-8 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 24.21 William Drysdale Law & District AAC 24.52 Tom O’Reilly Springburn H 25.04

1978-9 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 33.41 J Barrowman Garscube H 34.10 Jim Irvine Bellahouston H 34.19

1979-80 Donald Macgregor Fife AC 32.27 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 33.29 Ron Prior Edinburgh AC 34.11

1980-1 Martin Craven Edinburgh Southern H 32.30 Andrew Brown Clyde Valley AC 33.19 Andrew Pender Falkirk Victoria H 33.39

1981-2 Andrew Brown Clyde Valley AC 32.29 Martin Craven Edinburgh Southern H 33.08 William Scally Shettleston H 33.22

1982-3 Donald Macgregor Fife AC 34.11 Martin Craven Edinburgh Southern H 34.14 Antony McCall Dumbarton AAC 34.23

1983-4 Richard Hodelet Greenock Glenpark H 30.47 J Lachan Stewart Spango Valley AC 30.59 William Scally Shettleston H 31.57

1984-5 Richard Hodelet Greenock Glenpark H 31.22 Allan Adams Dumbarton AAC 31.25 William Scally Shettleston H 31.30

1985-6 Brian Scobie Maryhill H 44.18 Allan Adams Dumbarton AAC 45.29 Kenneth Duncan Pitreavie AAC 46.31

1986-7 Brian Scobie Maryhill H 32.32 Brian Carty Shettleston H 33.00 David Fairweather Law & District AC 33.10

1987-8 Colin Youngson Aberdeen AAC 39.14 Archibald Duncan Pitreavie AAC 39.38 Graham Milne Aberdeen AAC 39.53

1988-9 Colin Youngson Aberdeen AAC 31.36 Charles McDougall Calderglen H 31.58 Peter Marshall Haddington ELP

32.29 1989-90 George Meredith Victoria Park AAC 35.48 Colin Youngson Aberdeen AAC 35.54 Brian Emmerson Teviotdale H 36.15

1990-1 Ian Elliot Teviotdale H 31.56 Colin Youngson Aberdeen AAC 32.36 John Kennedy Victoria Park AAC 32.45

1991-2 Ian Elliot Teviotdale H 35.23 Colin Youngson Aberdeen AAC 35.32 George Meredith Victoria Park AAC 36.30

M45

1984-5 Donald Macgregor Fife AC 31.50 John Linaker Pitreavie AAC 32.30 Ian Leggett Livingston AAC 34.03  

1985-6 John Linaker Pitreavie AAC 47.09 Ian Leggett SVHC 49.00 Martin Craven Edinburgh Southern H 49.05

1986-7 John Linaker Pitreavie AAC 34.19 Martin Craven Edinburgh Southern H 34.35 J Moses Bellahouston H 35.17

1987-8 Mel Edwards Aberdeen AAC 40.55 Roderick MacFarquhar Aberdeen AAC 41.10 Richard Hodelet Greenock Glenpark H 41.57

1988-9 Allan Adams Dumbarton AAC 32.36 Roderick MacFarquhar Aberdeen AAC 33.12 Robert Young Clydesdale H 33.18

1989-90 Allan Adams Dumbarton AAC 37.46 Ben Pearce Aberdeen AAC 38.29 Robert Young Clydesdale H 38.53

1990-1 Allan Adams Dumbarton AAC 33.37 Bernard McMonagle Shettleston H 33.56 Robert Young Clydesdale H 34.11

1991-2 Allan Adams Dumbarton AAC 37.23 Colin Martin Dunbarton AAC 37.42 Robert Young Clydesdale H 37.58

M50

1971-2 Andrew Forbes Victoria Park AAC 34.35 Tommy Harrison Maryhill H 35.09 Walter Ross Garscube H 35.40

1972-3 Walter J Ross Garscube H 34.03 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 34.10 Tommy Harrison Maryhill H 34.43

1973-4 George Martin Springburn H 31.12 R Clark Wallace Shettleston H 31.51 Jim Geddes Monklands H 33.14

1974-5 Tommy Harrison Maryhill H 33.41 R Clark Wallace Shettleston H 34.22 1975-6 Cyril O’Boyle Clydesdale H

1976-7 Ronnie Kane Victoria Park AAC 31.38 Cyril O’Boyle Clydesdale H 31.42 George Martin Springburn H 38.51

1977-8 William Marshall Clyde Valley AC 25.39 Ronnie Kane Victoria Park AAC 26.49 John Clark Clyde Valley AC 28.51

1978-9 Hugh Mitchell Shettleston H 35.04 William Marshall Clyde Valley AC 35.27 D Clelland SVHC 38.06

1979-80 William Marshall Clyde Valley AC 35.55 Tom Stevenson Greenock Wellpark H 36.37 Peter Milligan Clydesdale H 36.42

1980-1 William Marshall Clyde Valley AC 35.15 William McBrinn Clyde Valley AC 35.53 David Cleland SVHC 36.51

1981-2 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 33.30 William McBrinn Clyde Valley AC 34.35 William Marshall Clyde Valley AC 35.30

1982-3 Alastair Wood Aberdeen AAC 37.11 William McBrinn Clyde Valley AC 37.18 Tom O’Reilly East Kilbride AAC 37.42

1983-4 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 34.04 Tom O’Reilly Springburn H 34.56 William McBrinn Clyde Valley AC 35.08

1984-5 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 33.30 William McBrinn Clyde Valley AC 34.32 James Milne Edinburgh AC 34.40

1985-6 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 48.41 Pat Keenan Victoria Park AAC 50.38 Hugh Gibson Hamilton H 53.35

1986-7 Jim Irvine Bellahouston H 35.22 Hugh Gibson Hamilton H 37.39 D Fraser Bellahouston H 37.47

1987-8 Jack Maitland Lochaber AC 44.01 Jim Morrison Aberdeen AAC 44.24 Jim Irvine Bellahouston H 45.12

1988-9 Jack Maitland Lochaber AC 35.42 James Irvine Bellahouston H 35.53 Henry Muchamore Haddington ELP 37.01

1989-90 John Linaker Pitreavie AAC 39.17 Ian Leggett Livingston AC 39.34 George Armstrong Haddington ELP 41.57

1990-1 Donald Macgregor Fife AC 34.21 John Linaker Pitreavie AAC 34.55 Ian Leggett Livingston AC 36.40

1991-2 George Armstrong Haddington ELP 40.40 R Rotchford Springburn H 41.11 G Angus Dundee Hawkhill H 41.15

M55

1984-5 Tom Stevenson Greenock Wellpark H 36.22 Tom Kinsey Maryhill H 36.52 G Lawson Maryhill H 37.31

1985-6 William McBrinn Shettleston H 51.17 S McLean Bellahouston H 56.00 William Russell SVHC 57.47

1986-7 William Stoddart Greenock Glenpark H 35.53 William McBrinn Shettleston H 36.09 Hamish Scott Perth Strathtay H 38.00

1987-8 William Stoddart Greenock Glenpark H 43.36 Hugh Gibson Hamilton H 44.07 Sandy Robertson Troon Tortoises 47.08

1988-9 Hugh Gibson Hamilton H 36.25 William McBrinn Shettleston H 36.42 William Gauld Carnethy HRC 38.10

1989-90 Hugh Rankin JW Kilmarnock AC 39.18 Hugh Gibson Hamilton H 41.11 Owen Light Troon T 42.01

1990-1 William Gauld Carnethy HRC 37.53 Jim Irvine Bellahouston H 38.51 Steve McLean Bellahouston H 39.29

1991-2 Hugh Rankin JW Kilmarnock AC 38.36 Hugh Gibson Hamilton H 41.00 Bert McKay Ayr Seaforth AAC 42.42

M60

1971-2 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 42.18 Ron Smith SVHC 43.10 George Taylor Shettleston H 43.19

1972-3 Herbert Smith Maryhill H 36.57 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 37.21 George Taylor Shettleston H 39.02

1973-4 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 31.47 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 33.14 Herbert Smith Maryhill H

1974-5 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 35.14

1975-6 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H

1976-7 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 34.55 Gavin Bell Bellahouston H 38.51 Tony Else Edinburgh AC 39.58

1977-8 Andrew Forbes Victoria Park AAC 29.14 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 29.18 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 29.30

1978-9 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 41.32 James Youngson Aberdeen AAC 43.40 Walter Ross Garscube H 45.31

1979-80 Andrew Forbes Victoria Park AAC

1980-1 David Morrison Shettleston H 41.28 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 41.33 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 41.40

1981-2 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 41.26 David Morrison Shettleston H 41.39 Andrew Forbes Victoria Park AAC 42.37

1982-3 John Clark Clyde Valley AC 42.57 George Kynaston Aberdeen AAC 45.32 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 45.32

1983-4 Thomas Kelly Shettleston H 42.36 Tommy Harrison Maryhill H 42.38 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 42.45

1984-5 John Clark Clyde Valley AC 40.50 J Kelly Falkirk Victoria H 42.28 Bill Adams SVHC 43.24

1985-6 Murray Scott Haddington ELP 62.44 John Clark SVHC 63.23 David Anderson Greenock Wellpark H 69.43

1986-7 William Temple Unattached 40.37 Ben Bickerton Shettleston H 41.34 Andrew McInnes Victoria Park AAC 42.28

1987-8 William Marshall Motherwell YMCA 47.55 W Templeton SVHC 50.12

1988-9 William Marshall Motherwell YMCA 37.04 William Gillespie Falkirk Victoria H 40.43 Anthony Hannah Moray RR 45.39

1989-90 William Marshall Motherwell YMCA 42.43 Hugh McGinlay Falkirk Victoria H 55.45

1990-1 William Marshall Motherwell YMCA 38.07 S Lawson Maryhill H 41.43 William Gillespie Falkirk Victoria H 42.55

1991-2 William Stoddart Greenock Wellpark H 40.21 S Lawson Maryhill H 46.23 John Elphinstone SVHC 48.16

M65

From 1981-84 the SCCU did not present medals for this category, but the SVHC may have. Unfortunately, there are no records available.

1984-5

1985-6

1986-7 Tommy Harrison Maryhill H 47.47 David Anderson Greenock Wellpark H 49.56

1987-88

1988-9 Tommy Harrison Maryhill H 49.05

1989-90 William Marshall Motherwell YMCA 42.43 Hugh McGinlay Falkirk Victoria H 55.45

1990-1 Hugh McGinlay Falkirk Victoria H 45.42 1991-2 William Gillespie Falkirk Victoria H 49.27 Robert Dempster Maryhill H 58.44

M70

1978-9 Roddy Devon Clyde Valley AAC 59.54

1979-80 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H

1981-2 Herbert Smith Maryhill H 47.27

1982-3 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 46.07 1983-4

1984-5 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 42.28 David Morrison Shettleston H 42.46

1985-6

1986-7 David Morrison Shettleston H 45.02

1987-8

1988-9

1989-90

1990-1 Tommy Harrison Maryhill H 56.50

1991-2 Tommy Harrison Maryhill H 83.00

M75

1984-5 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 45.14

1985-6 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 68.09

1986-7 J Emmet Farrell Maryhill H 51.43

1987-8

1988-9 David Morrison Shettleston H 46.46

1989-90

1990-1

1991-2 Gordon Porteous Maryhill H 55.42

FOR RESULTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN BETWEEN 1993-2020, CONSULT THE ARCHIVE OF THE SCOTTISH ROAD RUNNING AND CROSS COUNTRY COMMISSION.

Tony Chapman had to himself quickly off the mark when he took over as Scotland’s National Coach in December 1948.   He was very busy – committed, flexible, enthusiastic and personable, he quickly became a recognisable figure at pretty well all athletics venues.   He could not however be everywhere and the requests for help were coming in from all over the country.   Fortunately the editor of ‘The Scots Athlete’ , Walter Ross, was very keen on broadening the scope of the new magazine and on reporting all aspects of the sport.   Chapman and Ross between set about informing and educating Scottish athletes, clubs and coaches via the magazine.   1948 had already seen the magazine publish a half page ad for a four day weekend course at Dunoon for athletes wishing to increase their technical and practical knowledge (Fee £2:15:6d), an article by Allan Watt on Coaching,  report on training weekend for Olympic ‘possibles’ , Emmet Farrell had a two page article on training for cross-country (he had won the SCCU Championships in 1938 and again in 1948) and shown great interest generally in coaching and advancing the development of the sport before Chapman was appointed in December.    

Appointed in December, 1948, his first article appeared in the December 1949 issue of the magazine under the heading: THE NATIONAL COACHING SCHEME and it deserves to be reproduced here in full.

Having set out his aims and challenges to clubs and athletes, he went on to do hid own bit in the process by having articles printed in the magazine fairly frequently and some were quite lengthy.   In January 1950,  Winter Training was the subject with the next one being ‘The Training Board’ which ran to four pages in September 1950 and can be seen at this link.   Before these articles the magazine published  articles on coaching by others including several in a short series called Peak Performance, and then after the Winter Training piece there was one in January 1951 by T Montgomery, Honorary Senior Coach, on Groundwork for Track and Field as part of a series entitled This Coaching, in May 1951 the Shot Putt came up for inspection with one article on great shot putters of the past and another on coaching and technique by T Montgomery.   The support for coaching from the ‘Scots Athlete’ was there for all to see.    In   1951 T Montgomery had ‘The Fundamentals of Sprinting’ published – it ran for two and a half pages – with a follow up on the same event in the Mid-Summer issue which came out in September.   Then there was one on Throwing the Discus by the same writer in July 1951.   By now, Montgomery was becoming the regular athletics coach writer for the magazine and in August there was a four pager on Middle Distance running.   

Chapman was back in January, 1952 with ‘A Training Guide for Coaches and Athletes‘   with a sub-heading reading ‘Suggestions for Formulating Schedules‘.    This one ran to no fewer than five pages and can be accessed via the link.          There was a follow-up article in February and one in March which have been added below the first part at the link above.   It continued in the April/May,  and June 1952 issues which are also at the link.   It is a very interesting look at what was the accepted best practice of the period – preparations, warming up, sessions, etc, etc – and well worth comparison with what athletes are doing in the 21st century.   Does it stand up to comparison?   Forget the terminology, terminology in all aspects of life changes all the time.   Look at what he is saying – how much, if any, of it still stacks up?   Whatever way you look at it, it is a significant addition to what was available to Scottish Coaches and athletes of the day.

Montgomery continued to write his coaching articles – Throwing the Javelin in August ’52 was followed by a study of javelin thrower M Denley (Great Britain) by Chapman a month later, the two articles being complementary.   The coaching articles seem to have been well received by readers as they continued to be printed – eg in August/September 1953 there was Basic Athletic Principles by JV Lyons which ran to two issues – 4 pages + 2 1/2 pages;  and there were others such as Distance Running Aspects by LH Weatherill, a former England Track and Cross-Country International, and the articles by Arthur Newton which had been running since 1947.   Percy Cerutty was another who had been and would continue to appear regularly until the very last issue of the magazine.   

One of the most thought provoking series in the magazine was Web Centre by Brian Mitchell which began in January 1947 and can be accessed via this link: 

http://www.salroadrunningandcrosscountrymedalists.co.uk/Archive/The%20Scots%20Athlete%20Volumes/Volume%2011/SA%20Vol%2011,9-10.pdf

‘The Scots Athlete’ ceased publication in  June 1958.   Tony Chapman’s last article was the one quoted above.   There is no doubt that it had been a good mutually beneficial relationship – he got his message across, the magazine got many interesting articles that broadened the scope of the magazine and possibly gained them readers.  It also worked well for the Scottish athletics public and that was maybe the point of the whole exercise.

The 1968 version of his book.

.

There was an Easter Weekend Training Course at Dunoon in March 1948 which was apparently a great success – reported on in ‘The Scots Athlete’ below.

.

After the 1945 War the Olympics were held in London in 1948.   Britain wanted to well and in 1945 FAM Webster was appointed by the AAA in England to develop and oversee coaching.   As one consequence of this, Webster appointed Geoff Dyson who brought other very good coaches such as John Le Masurier on board.   Webster had written the classic coaching book (see here) and then during this period produced smaller books dealing with the training and development of athletics.   Three of these are below.   They are reproduced with thanks to Chris Holloway.

#.

.

.

.

.

After the War (’39/’45) there was a great thirst for coaching and technical  information) that the athlete could use on their own or as part ot an athletic club’s training programme.   The official handbooks as well as booklets and articles in magazines such as Athletics Weekly, Athletics World, Scots Athlete and others were well perused and there were many books on the topic.   Older books were reprinted or resurrected from the attic.Just some of these books are here below.

Runners were always anxious to do the right thing books about running were about something they were familiar with but books on circuit training, yes and even ballet exercises were bought and used or attempted.   It was hard after 20 or so years of running to get into some of the positions suggested in the books.   One such book was the following, sent by Joe Small (as was the one above).

The BAAB Booklets with their bright covers and many illustrations were welcomed by clubs and coaches all over the United Kingdom – nowhere more so than in Scotland but they followed the pattern of the AAA’s publications which were produced in the period of post-war austerity and were plainer in appearance but no less attractive in content to the athletics public.   Note the following.  eg the Middle Distance Running AAA’s by J W Ll Alford (National Coach for Wales) is clearly a fore runner of the edition with Herb Elliott’s picture put out in the late 50s/early 60’s.   F.A.M. Webster was appointed by the AAA as coach from 1945 – ’48 and was succeeded by Geoff Dyson.   A few of Webster’s covers are shown here.

Some even bore the WAAA imprint –

Just as with the BAAB books there were booklets dealing with officiating, organizing sports meetings and so on which were frequently updated.

Graham McDonald tells us that this is the third edition of the book published in the 1970’s – the books all had information that you might find interesting inside the cover – eg when it dates from and pages two and three from this one are below.

Photo from Keddie’s Centenary History of the SAAA

For all that St Modan’s AC was a very well known cross-country and road running club, it covered track and field athletics too with teams competing in the Scottish track league and individuals turning out in open sports meetings and highland gatherings.   The most successful and  well-known was George McLachlan, a Scottish and British internationalist, who started as a sprinter and hurdler before taking to the Decathlon where he won titles and set records.     He was the first Scot to run under 15 seconds for the 120 yards hurdles without wind assistance.   He did this at Edinburgh Highland Games on 18th August 1962 on a grass track in a time of 14.6 seconds when finishing second to Nigerian Alfred Belleh.   He himself had a time of 15.2 waiting for ratification but this time took 0.7 seconds from the existing record and ranked him number five in GB for the event.   He had been competing well for several years before that and had won the SAAA.s high hurdles in 1961 (15.4), it was at this point that he turned to the Decathlon.

His career was summaries as follows by John W Keddie in the excellent centenary of the SAAA,   “Scottish Athletics” –

“In George A McLachlan (St Modan’s AC) Scotland had another decathlete who was to develop his potential in the ensuing years (ie: after 1960).   In 1961 McLachlan won the Scottish title with a record 5666 points , and just over a month later, at Loughborough on 10th/11th August, was runner-up in the AAA event with 5777.   His great adversary in Scotland, the enthusiastic and hard-working John Alexander Jones of Trinity Academicals AC was 3rd in these Championships after being runner-up in the Scottish event.   As the winner was a Rhodesian, D Burger (6343) it could be said with justification that McLachlan and Jones were the top Britons that year.   They maintained good form the following year, though McLachlan had to play second fiddle to Australian Z Sumich (Sale Harriers) both in the SAAA and in the AAA Championships.   In the former, held at Westerlands on 8th/9th June, the scores were fairly modest – 5744 for Sumich to McLachlan’s 5456 – but the AAA decathlon saw a closer and higher scoring confrontation.   It was McLachlan’s finest performance though his UK record score of 6184  (6579 based on 1962 tables) was finally 53 points adrift of Sumich’s total.   McLachlan did not compete after 1962.”

We asked Graham McDonald (Pitreavie AAC) who met George at meetings and he said that  

The ranking performances below are taken from the www.scotstats.net website and George’s competitive record is at the foot of the table.   The same website tells us that he competed twice for Scotland – on20th August 1960 against Wales where he won the 120y hurdles, and in the same event against Holland on 18th August 1962 where he was second behind Alfred Belleh, a Nigerian living and studying in Scotland at the time, with Scotland filling the first two places.   Both were home fixtures.

St Modan’s AC club champions, end of season 1959/60

The Cross-country teams in the younger age groups were going from strength to strength in season 1959/60.   In the District Championships held at Renton, Dumbarton on 23rd January, 1960, the youths team had the first two finishers in the formidable double act of Willie Fleming and Mike Ryan.   With three to count in the team race they were unfortunate to be beaten by the better packing of the Monkland Harriers squad.   Result below.   

The same duo led the Youths team into second place in the national at Hamilton on 5th March where teams had have four runners finish to complete the team.   It was the same three runners who led the field in as it had been in the Districts, but the order had changed.  Finn won this time round and although Fleming was placed second and Ryan third, they were both given the same time.   The scoring runners were Fleming 2nd, Ryan 3rd, Rutherford 25th and R Gourlay 54th.   R Howden was the back up runner in 61st place.   In summer at the West District Championships at Westerlands on 28th May, J Cameron was second in the Junior 880 yards behind Hugh Barrow (VPAAC) who won in 1:59.4 seconds.   A week later, 4th June, in the Lanarkshire Constabulary Sports at Shawfield, Mike Ryan won the Handicap Mile in 4:11.1 running from 90 metres.   Another week later and Ryan was third in the handicap mile at the Glasgow Police Sports at Ibrox Park behind Renton of Teviotdale and Bert McKay of Motherwell.   At that same meeting team mate Willie Fleming ran in the 3000m steeplechase where he too finished third, behind R Henderson  (Braidburn) and J McLatchie (Muirkirk).     At the SAAA championships at the end of June, Ryan won the junior mile in 4:20.8, defeating Jim McLatchie of Ayr Seaforth and Jim Finn was in third.   After the championship meeting George McLachlan was selected for the AAA’s Championships  at Welwyn Garden City on July 8th and 9th.   In that championship, McLachlan was third with 5583 points behind C Andrews of the Army who set a new GB record of 6176 points and J McKinney of the Irish club Albert Foundry who scored 5732. 

Having run at Shawfield Stadium and Ibrox Park, it was local Brockville Park in Falkirk that welcomed the athletes for the Falkirk FC & Falkirk Victoria Harriers meeting on 30th July and Mike Ryan (50 yards) won the handicap mile from Willie Fleming (100 ) in 4:16.8.   At the Strathallan Games on 6th August McLachlan won the 100 yards on a grass track off half a yard in 9.8 seconds.   

It was now into the new 1960/61 season and in the Midland Relays on 5th November at Stepps, the St Modan’s AC team caused a stir when they finished third ahead of Victoria Park, Bellahouston Harriers and Springburn Harriers.   The team was made up of Charlie Meldrum (14:34), M Ryan (14:28), JH Murray (14:54) and W Fleming (14:37).   There was also a second team that finished 21st of the 38 teams that started the race.   Their team was R Rutherford (16:13), A Muir (16:26), D Clelland (15:43), AT Roy (16:12).   The packing in the first team was excellent with Ryan only 7 seconds behind the sixth time of the afternoon.  The Midland Championships were held at Renton on 21st January 1961.   In the Senior/Junior race, the team was fifth with Meldrum 6th, Ryan 13th, Murray 26th, Fleming 49th, Clelland 65th and Roy 80th.   There were three more runners who completed the course – Muir 91st, Kielt 100th and Howden 108th.   The return of Clelland was interesting and he would prove to b very useful to the club again.   In the Youths race, there was a new find for the club when J McHattie finished second, 5 seconds down on Jim Finn and 7 seconds up on Lachie Stewart; he was accompanied by Christie in 45th.    Goldie (12th), Brown (17th) and Lochrie (16th) saw the team finish in third place with other runners being Stewart (26th), Lennon (42nd) and Duffy (44th).   It had been another good day for the club.  

It was a weakened squad of senior men that faced the starter for the national championships at Hamilton on 4th March 1961.   The Senior team was led home by JH Murray in 46th, new man from Vale of Leven AAC Jimmy Garvey in 47th, A Galbraith in 137th and new senior AT Roy in 155th.   The Junior team of Ryan in second behind McLatchie and one place ahead of Jim Alder from Morpeth, Rutherford in 58th, Curran 66th and Howden 95th finished ninth of the 20 teams entered.   There were three runners in the Youths race – J Cameron 27th, D Christie 86th and A Drummond 87th.   The boys team was eighth of the 17 who ran: Goldie 31st, Brown 33rd, Lochrie 43rd and Tasker 73rd.   It was a much better turnout than during the dark days of the mid 50’s but there were many expected names missing – No Meldrum, no Clelland, no Fleming, No McHattie.   

*

Picture and details from Graham McDonald

We have had a look at the career of George McLachlan above and it is appropriate to have a look at another club stalwart, and more than that, Charlie Meldrum.   He had been running for the club as a Youth (U17) and after a spell at Jordanhill where he ran for the college on the track and the club in winter.   After his time at College he became a PE teacher at Riverside Secondary School in Stirling.   He returned to the club and the standard and numbers competing rose notably.   He served on the club committee reaching the position of President.   Athletically, he was often in the first 10 finishers in good quality cross-country races and there were other open races (eg 6th in the SAAA steeplechase, he won the 8 lap steeplechase at Ibrox in the Rangers Sports,, and the New Year’s Dar Race at Beith where he was second in the scratch race).   He also became an official starter and officiated at many good races on track and over the country.   Involved in official training he helped many new starters including the well known and highly respected Barry Craighead.   Barry says that apart from the legendary Fred Evans, Charlie “was my mentor and inspiration.”   Dick Littlejohn was the starter’s marksman for both of them.   Unfortunately Charlie died in a car crash far too soon on his way to officiate in an international match.   A very good clubman, a runner, an official, and highly respected.   If he was not working at a meeting he would be out cheering on and encouraging the rest of the team.    All clubs need members like that.

In summer 1961, the West District Championships were held at Westerlands on 27th May, and it was a good day for the club.   To start with George McLachlan was third in the 100 yards, and second in the 220 yards, Mike Ryan was third in the Mile, Charlie Meldrum won the steeplechase from Tom O’Reilly, WA Christie was third in the javelin, and J Cameron was second in the Youths Mile.   A gold, two silver and three bronze medals on the same Saturday.    The Glasgow Police Sports were held on 10th June at Ibrox and Charlie Meldrum was second in the 3000m steeplechase behind T Thomson of Paisley to whom he was conceding 35 yards in the handicap.   In the Junior 880 yards, JR Cameron was second.  Meanwhile on the same day Jimmy Garvie was third in the Scottish Marathon Club’s 12 mile road race at Springburn in Glasgow.  

The SAAA Championships were held at New Meadowbank on 24th June.   Mike Ryan continued his successful career when he was third in the Mile behind Graham Everett and Kenny Ballantyne – two really top class milers.   WA Christie was third in the javelin, G McLachlan won the 120 yards hurdles, in the Junior Hammer JR Cameron was second and in the Youths Shot Putt competition, H Cameron won with 44′ 5 1/2″   It had been probably the best AAA’s championships for St Modan’s AAC ever.   Two firsts, one second and two third place medals was a more than respectable haul.   

 George McLachlan won the SAAA Decathlon on 1st July at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh from JA Jones and RL Hay.   His best performances were noted by the Glasgow Herald as 10.9 for the 100 metres, 15.5 for the 110 metres hurdles and 10′ 8 1/4″ in the pole vault.   The first three were selected to compete in the AAA’s event at Loughborough on August 11/12th; McLachlan and Christie were picked to compete for the SAAA against Atalanta the following Saturday.   In that match, McDonald was second to Belleh in the 120 yards hurdles, and he was part of the relay team with the members of Victoria Parl that broke the Pitreavie arena record.   Christie missed the javelin but McDonald filled the gap and finished third.   On 29th July at the Falkirk Sports at Brockville Park, George McDonald was the star of the show with a victory in the special invitation 100 yards in 10.0 on the grass track.   The Strathallan Gathering was always held on the first Saturday in July and Graham McDonald inspected his programme for the 1961 meeting and tells us that there were no fewer than nine men from the club competing that day: 

It had been a splendid season for the club with almost every event from 100 yards to the marathon and several field events being contested at championship standard – or every event if you count George McLachlan on his own.   What would the winter bring?

Winter 1961/62 saw the club with two teams in the Midlands District Relay Championship with the A Team finishing sixth and the B Team 23rd.   Mike Ryan had the third fastest of the day behind John Linaker and Andy Brown of Motherwell.   The runners and their times were:-

A Team:  J Garvie  13:51;   M Ryan 12:26; D Clelland  14:21;  C Meldrum  13:32.      B Team:   A Roy 14:56; A Cameron  15:42; G Pearson  15:14;  I Howden  16:04. 

The reason for the two teams was soon in evidence: the club was taking part in the eight man Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay.   It was a prestigious event, entry limited to 20 clubs and by invitation only.   The race was held on 18th November, 1961, and the names on the programme from whom the team would be chosen were

The chosen runners, in order and place in the race were as follows:   

H Taylor  1st stage  16th; M Ryan   2nd stage  15th;   R Rutherford  3rd stage  19th; W Fleming  4th stage  19th;   AT Roy  5th stage  19th; J Garvie  6th stage  19th;  GG Pearson  7th stage  20th;  D Clelland  8th stage 18th.

It should be noted that the second and sixth stages are generally regarded as the toughest because they are the longest but, more importantly most of the very best runners in the country tackled them.   Nor is the race itself for the faint hearted – there were always lots of supporters in cars, team buses  or even on motor bikes following the race roaring their runners on.  The course wound through villages, along open roads with fields on either side, across busy roads, there were stewards at all corners and junctions (often enough there was a policeman directing traffic) and it was a daunting experience.   Very few runners could turn on their best performance in their first appearance in the race.   It is notable that the man who picked up most places was the man who had experience of the event when running for Falkirk Victoria – Dave Clelland.   The absence of Charlie Meldrum must have been a blow to the club’s chances too.   It was however a good solid performance – not in the last two so not an automatic bar to competing the next year.

The Midland District Championships in January 1962, were held a Strathleven on 20th January 1962 and in the Senior/Junior race, Mike Ryan was the first St Modan’s runner when he crossed the line in seventh to be first Junior.    The other club members to finish were J Garvey 37th and H Taylor 60th.   In the Youths race,H Lochrie was 10th, T Goldie 13th and J McHattie 14th to see the team finish 4th.   There was alsos a Boys race where the trio of J Fleming 6th, T Brown 7th and W Samson 13th was third team with the club also represented by H Tasker 21st and I McRae 22nd.   The National was held at Hamilton Racecourse on 3rd March 1962.    The senior men on the day were  J Garvie 89th, A Galbraith 126th, G Pearson 148th.   In the Junior race, Mike Ryan was the only club man and he was third,   In the Youth Race, J McHattie was ninth and, again, the club only had the one runner forward.   

In the Boys race, St Modan’s won a first national championship.   Newcomer Walter Eadie was third behind D Middleton and R Wedlock followed by Tom Brown sixth, Jim Fleming twelfth annd W Samson twenty eighth.

The summer came around and the club was represented in meetings as usual with championship performances noted here. First, in the West District Championships at Westerlands on 28th May, Mike Ryan ran in the Three Miles and finished second to Calum Laing of Glasgow University and George McLachlan won the 120 yards hurdles. and G Thomson was also second – in the discus.  Another promising young middle distance runner made his first championship appearance when he was second in the Junior 880 yards – Tom Brown was behind Dabney of Ayr Seaforth and ahead of Middleton of Springburn.

In the SAAA Championships on 23rd June, McHattie won the Junior mile in 4:23.1 to duplicate Mike Ryan’s victory and be the only St Modan’s athlete to win a medal at the meeting.   On 28th July, at Falkirk, McLachlan was third in the invitation 100 yards sprint which was hotly contested – all the top sprinters in the country had come along and three heats were required to get the finalists.   McLachlan was only beaten by WM Campbell and RW Whitelock.  Mike Ryan was second in the mile behind W Morrison of Larkhall.  In August, 10/11th, George McLachlan set  Scottish and British records for the decathlon when finishing second to Z Sumach.  Sumach was not eligible for the record since he had only come to Britain from Austraalia 18 months previusly.    He actually led until the second last event – the javelin – when Sumach went well ahead in points.   McLachlan was in front ot Sumach in the 1500m but not far enough to catch him or the title.   One week later at Murrayfield in the match against Holland, McLachlan was second to Alfred Belleh in the 129 yards hurdles to ensure maximum points for Scotland who won the match by only one single point.  

The winter 1962/63 Relays were held again at King’s Park in Stirling and the St Modan’s team ran well enough to finish sixth of 37 teams with the result as below:

Mike Ryan had the third fastest time of the day and the team above had a good blend of youth and experience – Jimmy Garvie had a few years of running experience behind on the road and on the track, and McHattie was at the other end as a Junior man while Mike Ryan was an experienced medal winner for the club on the track, road and country with Taylor a solid club runner.   The District Championships were held at Strathleven again on 19th January 1963 and again Mike led the team home when he finished eighth.   Jimmy Garvie was 41st, J Gray was 81st, Charlie Meldrum (now a PE Teacher at Riverside HS in Stirling) 88th, G Pearson 93rd, I Howden 105th and AT Roy 114th.   The Boys race was won by J Fleming of the St Modan’s team with J Sloan close up in fourth with D Aitken eighth.   Their 13 points won the team competition from Springburn who had 20.  Withe 7 finishers in the senior race, the club had more than any year for some time and with first individual and first team in the boys race, they had good cause to celebrate.   

The National Championships were held at Hamilton on 3rd March, 1963 and the in the Junior Men’s race Ryan was second and McHattie 13th.   In the Youths event there were several ‘new boys’ who would prove to be excellent athletes.   Tom Brown finished fifth, less than 20 seconds behind the third placed runner in a race won by Ian McCafferty from Ian Young of Springburn, R Carroll of Edinburgh and Jim Brennan of Maryhill.   The next club finisher was Walter Eadie in 18th and he was another talented runner who led the Strathclyde University team for several years, Alastair Macfarlane was 40th in his first ever National at Hamilton and he would go on to win many  races on track, road and country including the Scottish Marathon Championship, and Marshall Prentice in 46th completed the team which finished fifth.   In the Boys race, Jim Fleming finished fifth, D Aitken was 13th, I Sloan 19th, A Roberts was 38th, T McAllister 59th  to have the team finish third and go home with medals from the Scottish National Championship.  

Mike Ryan was running well and Willie Fleming was still running, there was a very good Under 17 team led by Tom Brown and young Jim Fleming was coming through in the Boys Under 15 age group.   Something else was happening – Allan Faulds was running very well for Glasgow University and in March 1963 he joined his local club – St Modan’s.   It was a massive gain for the club.   

.Allan Faulds winning the Springburn Cup from Mike Bradley, Paisley Harriers

Allan led  them to second place in the Springburn Cup race almost immediately thereafter.  In 1963 there was a Central League for young athletes run by a group containing Alex Naylor (Shettleston), Bert Winter (Bellahouston) and others and St Modan’s had athletes taking part in it.  There was no limit on the numbers entered by any club but only the first two scored any points.   Entries across the board were not required.   There was also a winter league and on 2nd March St Modan’s had athletes entered for the meeting which took place in Pollokshaws.  In the Senior Boys race, J Fleming won from Eddie Knox of Springburn by 17 seconds, with D Aitken third and since they also had the fourth finisher, they won the team race.   In the Youths race, Tom Brown was second to Ian Young of Springburn being beaten by 13 seconds.   The team was second with 20 points.   Springburn (10) and Victoria Park (26) were first and third.  

For the club, the track season again had its moments of triumph .   The Western District Championships were held on 25th May at Westerlands and J McHattie was second to Lachie Stewart in the Three Miles with Billy Murray of Glenpark in third and Hamish Cameron third in the Hammer in the Senior events.   Tom Brown was second to Hugh Barrow in the Junior Mile.       On 1st June at the Lanarkshire Constabulary Sports at Shawfield, Tom Brown won the 880 yards and J McHattie won the Mile.   At Falkirk on 27th July, George McLachlan won the special invitation 100 yards.   In the Open 220 yards, DV Smith of St Modan’s won in 22.4 seconds from 14 yards handicap.   Later in the season, at Shotts on 7th September, Tom Brown was third in the Two Miles behind Ian McCafferty and Jim Johnston (Monkland).

The West District Relay was held on October 26th, 1963 at Stirling and were responsible for the programmes and the trail stewards – these might have weakened the teams but were an indicator of a club with fairly healthy numbers.   The club did fairly well.   Ryan was fourth fastest individual and the team finished sixth.   The other runners in the team were McHattie, Prentice and Pearson.   There was a second team of Murray, Meldrum, Rutherford and Howden.   Reserves were Garvie, Galbraith, Gray and Faulds.   There were over 60 teams in the event. 

Allan Faulds kept running well in the colours of Glasgow University but young Walter Eadie was also running well – but in the club’s colours.   On 2nd November in the Garscube Harriers Open Races for younger age groups, Walter was third fastest Youth and the team finished second behind Springburn.   Eadie was also second fastest behind Knox on 23rd November in the Clydesdale Harriers Youths race.   Duncan Middleton of Springburn was third and Tom Brown was fourth for St Modan’s.   The race incorporated a Ballot Team competition to give all runners the opportunity to win a team prize and Tom Brown was in the winning team with Eadie in the second placed team.   

Away from the competition arena, at the SAAA AGM on 21st December, 1963, Joe Walker was elected Vice-President to the Association.   He would go on to be President for 1965/66.

The Midlands Championships were held on 18th January at the Renton Dumbarton.   The St Modan’s Youth team of Brown 5th, Eadie 6th, and Fleming 8th were second to Springburn’s team of Middleton 1st, Knox 3rd and McLean 12th.   In the Boys race, R Clarke was 9th, I McShane 17th, and I Harvey 28th.   Nationals were again held at Hamilton at the start of March and there were only three Boys – I McShane 65th, R McLean 80th, I Harvey 87th – when four were required for a team.  There was a team of Youths, a GOOD team too – of  W Eadie 4th, T Brown 5th, J Fleming 19th and A Macfarlane 31st – which finished second 10 points behind Edinburgh AC and 38 in front of Kirkcaldy YMCA.   Marshall Prentice had by now gone to Glasgow University and was running for them and finished 69th.   Allan Faulds was also running for Glasgow University and was 14th in the Senior race.     Only G Pearson ran in the Senior Men’s race and finished 157th.   Charlie Meldrum was among four noted as ‘Failed to finish’.   

How was the club faring on the track in summer ’64?   They were competing in the Track League (three clubs, each scored against the other two making it three two-club competitions) and the Glasgow Herald of 11th May reported like this.

 A very good start to the summer with two victories out of two and a significant number of victories.   One week later in a similar format match, they beat RCST by 58 to 49, and Glasgow University 58 to 44.   On 23rd May, in another three-club league contest they defeated Maryhill Harriers by 83 to 56, and Forth Valley 77 to 60.   Despite all this league success which meant turning out many athletes week after week, there was a disappointing number of club members among the medals at the West District Championships at the very end of May.   Tom Brown,  second in the Junior Mile was the sole medallist.   Walter Eadie was performing well for the RCST and won the Universities Championship Three Miles in 15:07.4 from Jim Bogan of Glasgow University on 6th June.   Distance seemed no object to Tom Brown who travelled to Kinlochleven HG on 4th July where he won the mile handicap race from Knox  of Shettleston.   

The SAAA Championships were held on 27th June   Again Tom Brown was second in the Junior Mile and H Cameron won the Junior Hammer Throw.   Cameron was really in form when on 8th August at the AAA’s championships at Crystal Palace he won the British Hammer Championship by four feet with a best of 183′  6 1/2″  .   The track season ended at the local Highland Games with Tom Brown winning the 880 yards and finishing second to Ian McCafferty in the Mile.   It was then on to the Cross-Country for 1964/65.

In the McAndrew Relay at Scotstoun on 3rd October, 1964, the club achieved its highest position yet when it was eighth, 14 seconds behind promoting club Victoria Park.   Motherwell won the race.   The test of the squad came at the start of November when the took part in the Midland District Relay.   This was really the first time Allan Faulds had run in a championship for the club.  The team of Tom Brown (13:04), George Jackson (13:15), Allan Faulds (12:50) and H McHattie (13:47) finished third – the first time they had won medals in a major championship as a senior team.   George Jackson was another interesting  runner.   He was a member of two clubs – a member of another club affiliated to the SAAA, he had to join another to run cross-country under SCCU rules.   The National was held on 16th January at the Renton and unfortunately, the club could only turn out four runners in the Senior race.   These were Faulds (10th), Meldrum (33rd), M Coyne (91st) and G Pearson (105th).   There were no Youths and only one one Boy, W Adam who finished third.   Not a good championship.  

In the National at Hamilton on 27th February, 1965, there were no runners from St Modan’s in any of the races at all, although in the Junior race Walter Eadie finished fifth in the colours of Strathclyde University and won a place in the Scottish Junior team for the ICCU Championships in Belgium.   There were five entered on the programme for the senior race- Faulds, Coyne, Jackson, Meldrum and Pearson, two juniors – Brown and Macfarlane, one Youth Fleming and no Boys at all.   Where was the club going from here?  They had many good runners and a complete Track & Field team in the summer just gone.   What was happening?

Mike Ryan emigrated to New Zealand in 1965 and subsequently won bronze medals in the marathon in the 1966 Commonwealth Games and the 1968 Olympic Games.

There were no medals for the club at either the West District or the SAAA Championships on 25th June, 1966.   In fact it was difficult to find nems of club members at any meetings that year including the Dunblane Highland Gathering, and there was no reporting at all of the track leagues.   

The following winter started with the McAndrew  Relay at Scotstoun on 2nd October and the team finished ninth with Allan Faulds turning in the fifth fastest time of the day.   Next relay was the Midland District event on 30th October at Stirling.   The team did exceptionally well and finished third for the second successive year.   Runners this time were Jackson 13:44, Meldrum 13:57, Faulds 12:57 and Brown 13:41.   Only the formidable Motherwell and Shettleston teams were in front of them.   They had B and C Teams out which finished 17th with J Fleming, G Pearson, K Henderson and F Flynn) and 32nd (M Coyne, J Murray, J Talbot and J McHattie).   Results from the Midland Championships on 15th January 1965 are not available but we do know that Allan Faulds was third finisher – ne place ahead of I McCafferty of Motherwell YMCA.    

The National of 1966 was quite significant for followers of St Modan’s AC.   There was no St Modan’s AC team entered but there was a Stirling AC team in the programme.   Their senior runners were 

Yes, St Modan’s had changed their name. to Stirling AC which would be a short lived club.   Their athletes would go on have good careers with other clubs but Scottish athletics was diminished – as it always when a good local club disappears from the scene.   It had done well by the people of Stirling and had produced in its short life since 1947 two British track & field champions – George McLachlan and H Cameron, and several Scottish champions in the mile, the 120 yards hurdles and the hammer throw as well as cross country champions across all the age groups.   The question of why it changed is asked, and the reply is that the club stopped using St Modan’s HS as its headquarters and moved elsewhere.   The new name maybe had added advantages.  

1947 – 52   1952 – 60