Author: The Author

Laura Adam  (4), leading from Christine Price (3), Karen Macleod (2) and Sandra Branney (5) in the SWAAA Championships

Patricia Affleck was born on 13/2/1957 and ran for Gala Harriers. She became Scottish Marathon Champion in 1998. In the Scottish annual rankings, she was in the marathon top seven four times, with a personal best of 2.57.50. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Patricia won W40 silver medals, behind the great Trudi Thomson, in 1999 and 2000. In 2002, when Patricia Affleck became W45 Champion, Gala Harriers won the team award.

Barbara Anderson was a Scottish middle distance and XCross- ountryrunner in the 1930s. In the Scottish Women’s Cross-Country Championships, she was: third in 1932 (running for Shettleston H); 4^th in 1934, when Shettleston finished third team; 7^th in 1936, when her next club Clydesdale H finished first team; and in 1938 second, representing Bellahouston H, which finished second team. Barbara ran for Scotland in the 1935 International Cross-Country match versus England. In the 1930s, the longest track distance that women were permitted to race was 880 yards; Barbara won a Scottish Championship silver medal in 1935.

Rhona Anderson (born 25/01/1964). Dunbar Running Club.Her brother-in-law (Alan Robson, a former Scottish Half Marathon champion) encouraged improvement in road races. Rhona’s half marathon pb was 1.25.00; and, as a veteran, she came close to breaking three hours for the marathon. Although she started running in her 20s, she continued to achieve much later, winning Scottish W50 and W55 XC titles; and representing Scottish Veterans in the annual British and Irish Masters XC Championships (where she contributed to W50 team silver medals).  Rhona also secured a silver medal in the Masters division of the Scottish Half Marathon Championship; and won Masters gold in the Scottish Marathon Championship.

Sonia Armitage: see McLaren 

Julie Armstrong, Giffnock North, Glasgow, was a very good road and cross-country runner with several very good victories such as the Falkirk Half Marathon to her credit.   She was also an able track athlete with best times of 4:47.6 (1500m 1990), 10:01.6 (3000m 1990), 17:41.4 (5000m 1990, ranked 4th), 36:28.6 (10000m 1989, ranked 4th) and a marathon time of 3:00.04 in 1992 which ranked her 6th Scot.    The 1989 time was recorded when finishing second in the SWAAA 10,000m.

Margaret Baillie, Fife AC, was born in 1952. In the 1984 Dundee Marathon, Maggie won the race and set a fine personal best time of 2.51.12, which ranked 5^th in that year’s Scottish list. Later, in the 1984 Aberdeen Marathon, she won a silver medal in the Scottish Marathon Championship.

Kirsty Baird (29.08.71, Kirkintilloch Olympians, City of Glasgow, Victoria Park City of Glasgow)   was a good runner over 400m, 800m and 1500m from 1987 to 2007.   Popular with other runners, Kirsty had best times of 58.7 (400m); 2:10.97 (800m),  4:37.89 (1500m) and  10:53.75.   Competitively her highlight was when she was third in  the 800m in 2003 and third in the indoors 800m in 2001,

Georgina Ballantine (full profile on anentscottishrunning.com) was a cross-country and track runner in the 1930s. She finished fourth in the 1936 Scottish Women’s XC Championships, when her team – Clydesdale Harriers – won the title. In 1938, Clydesdale won again and Georgie secured an individual silver medal. On the track she raced 880 yards (winning many handicap events) and the Medley Relay. Clydesdale (including Georgie) won the Scottish One Mile Medley Relay Championship in 1936 and finished second in 1937.

Ann Barrass (married name Parker) was born on 13^th August 1951. Her club was Aldershot, Farnham and District AC. She ran very well at 3000m on the track. In 1971 she finished third in the AAA 3000m; and improved to a silver medal in 1972. She was Scottish 3000m champion in 1972 and 1973. In the Scottish National XC, Ann won four successive bronze medals (1971-74) plus silver in 1975. For Scotland, she was a frequent team counter in the ICCU International XC (in 1971; and 1972 when Scotland won bronze medals) and the IAAF World Cross (1973, 1975 and 1976). In 1976 she ran as Ann Parker, not only in the World event but also in a cross-country match against England, Ireland and Wales.

Carol Anne Bartley (married name Thomson) ran for Victoria Park AAC. As a Junior, in 1985 she ran cross-country for Scotland twice in the Billy Morton matches v England, Ireland, NI and Wales, being a team counter on both occasions. In 1986, she won bronze in the Scottish under-17 XC Championships, leading Victoria Park to team gold. As a Senior, Carol Anne raced for Scotland once on the road (10k) and five times cross-country. In two 1990 XC fixtures she was 6^th (and first Scot) v England, Wales and NI in 1990, when her team finished second; and second Scot when Kenya won but Scotland beat Australia. On the track, Carol Anne represented Scotland six times, racing 1500m or 3000m. Perhaps her best performance was finishing second in a 1991 International 1500m v England, Wales and USA Juniors. In 1991 Scottish Senior Track Championships, Carol Anne secured a silver medal in the outdoor 1500m; and bronze in the 3000m indoors. In 1998, she won bronze in the Scottish 10k road championship.

Ann Bates was born on 22/4/1958 and ran for Central Region AC. Her running peak was during the Scottish ‘Marathon Boom’ in the 1980s. Ann featured in the Scottish marathon ranking lists three times: 1984 (personal best 2.52.20, ranked 7^th); and 12^th in both 1985 (2.54.56) and 1986 (2.56.33). Such consistency at a good level made Ann Bates a symbol of that era, when so many were enthusiastic about attempting the challenging 26 miles 385 yards distance. In which races did she compete? In 1984: she finished first woman in the Edinburgh Marathon, in front of Tricia Calder and Jill Danskin; and then ran that 2.52 when third in the 1984 Glasgow Marathon (9449 finished!). In 1985, on a tougher course, Ann Bates won the Loch Rannoch Marathon in 3.3.15, just 15 seconds in front of Carolyn Morrat (Fife AC).

Valerie F. BOTHAMS (19.03.75, City of Glasgow) was a good international middle and long distance runner who ran distances between 600m and 3000m throughout the 1990’s.   Highlights of her competitive record include – GB Championships: 2nd  AAA 3000m i ’98. Scottish championships: 2nd 1500 ’97, 2nd 1500 ’99; 1st 3000i ’99.   Best times: 600m – 1:35.90; 800m – 2:09.7; 1000m – 2:57.98; 1500m – 4:22.7; 3000m – 9:36.50.   

Catherine Boyes ran for Maryhill Harriers On the 26^th of March 1955, she raced for Scotland v England in an International cross-country match at Ayr, which England won easily. 1^st Diane Leather (Eng); 7^th Catherine Boyes (Sco) 18 minutes 18 seconds; 8^th Aileen Drummond (Sco) 18:40; 9th Elizabeth McLeod (Sco) 18:47; 10th Molly Ferguson (Sco) 19:15; 11th Doreen Fulton (Sco) 19:20; 12^th Agnes Elder (Sco). This was a very good run for Catherine since, at the Scottish National XC two weeks earlier, she had won an unexpected silver medal behind the champion Aileen Drummond. The Scots Athlete magazine commented: “All credit must be given to Miss Boyes for her really fine show in finishing second in her first National.” Maryhill Harriers (including Catherine Boyes) won the Scottish team title in 1955 and 1957.

Sandra Branney (Victoria Park AAC, Glasgow AC) was born on 30/4/1954. As a Senior and a Masters athlete, she has been an outstanding racer on track, cross-country and road. Her Championships record includes: a silver medal in the 1989 UK 5000m; Scottish track titles for 3000m (1990); 10,000m (1987); and Indoor 3000m (1988). On the road, Sandra won the Scottish 10k (1996); and 10 Miles (1993). In 1988 and 1989, she not only won the Scottish National XC Championship, but also led Glasgow AC to team gold. Sandra Branney has won titles at every level of Masters Athletics: Scottish, British, European and World, at 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m. She reckons that her finest race was breaking the W55 3000m record with 10.13.8 (which had an age-graded score of 103.2%. In 1989, she raced for Scotland over 3000m three times (against Greece, Ireland, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and Belgium. Between 1986 and 1996, Sandra ran for Scotland five times on the road and twice on cross-country. In 1997, Sandra Branney represented GB at Seoul in the World Marathon Cup.

Tracey Brindley (Aberdeen AAC, Carnethy HRC, Ochil Hill Runners) was born on 25/8/1972. In the East District Track Championships, she 5000m gold in 1997 and 1998. In the Senior National XC Championships, Aberdeen AAC won team gold in 1999, with Tracey securing individual silver. In the East District XC Championships, she won individual bronze in 1997 and 1998. AAAC won team gold in 1998; and also won the East District XC Relays in 1997 and 1998. In 2004, Tracey Brindley (Carnethy HRC) won individual gold in the Scottish 10k road Championships. Racing for Scotland, she won Individual Gold in the Snowdon Mountain International in 2002; and was Scottish Hill Running Championship in 2005 and 2011. Between 1997 and 2004, Tracey Brindley ran for Scotland four times on cross country and once on the road. In the World Mountain Running Championships, racing for Scotland, Tracey won Individual Bronze in 2003 and Individual Silver in 2005. Along with Angela Mudge and Lyn Wilson, she contributed to Team Gold in 2003. In the European Mountain Running Championships, competing for GB, Lyn Wilson and Tracey Brindley secured Team Gold in 2005; they had already won Team Bronze in 2004.

Alison Brown was born on 11/4/57 and raced for Greenock Rankin Park, and Edinburgh Southern Harriers. She seems to have had a very short career. In 1974, Allison won the Scottish Schools 800m and 1500m titles. Then she won a bronze medal in the Senior Scottish 1500m. In 1975, Allison Brown was 8^th in the Scottish Senior National XC. She was selected to run for Scotland, first in the IAAF World Cross at Rabat, Morocco, where she finished fifth Scot. Then she was fourth Scot (and a team counter) in the Home Countries XC match at Coatbridge v England and Ireland. She seems to have retired after 1977.

Caroline Brown ran for Fife AC. In the 1991 Scottish 10k road championships, she won a silver medal. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Caroline led her team to victory in 1993 (when she was fourth – and second W35); and in 1994 (when she finished fifth). Fife AC added team silver in 1995.

Rhona Buchan ran for Aberdeen AAC. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Rhona won a silver medal in the W35 age-group; and Aberdeen won team silver. In 2008, she added W40 silver; and, in 2010, W40 bronze and AAAC won team bronze. Rhona also featured in Aberdeen teams that won the Masters division of the Scottish XC Relay in 2008, 2010  and 2012.

Georgena Buchanan running second behind Madeleine Ibbotson

Georgena Buchanan (Craig, from 1966) was born on 17/7/1942 and ran for Maryhill Ladies and Western. Georgena was a Scottish track champion four times (880 yards 1963-1965 and One Mile in 1964). She added silver and bronze medals in these events; plus a bronze in the 1966 Pentathlon. In the Commonwealth Games, Georgena Craig ran 880 yards in 1966; and 800m in 1970 (where she finished 7^th). She set new Scottish 880 records on five occasions; and raced nine times for Scotland (at distances between 440 yards and 1500m). Georgena Buchanan won the Scottish cross-country title in 1965 (as well as securing individual silver in 1962 and 1964). She contributed (for Maryhill Ladies AC) to team gold in 1964; and (for Western AAC) silver (1969) and bronze (1965 and 1970).

Anne Buckley was born on 20/6/1967. She is English and has run for Salford Harriers, Bingley Harriers and Pudsey & Bramley. [Anne says that she had her best runs for Pudsey & Bramley (winning the North of England XC championships and finishing fifth in the English National XC)]. However, she got to know several Hunter’s Bogtrotters, notorious and otherwise (for example at the Isle of Man Running Festival), started competing for the club in Scotland and has been a member of HBT since the 1990s. Anne has many amusing memories of  club races and ‘rehydration sessions’. During 1993-1994, Anne completed a PGCE at Jordanhill in Glasgow. In the Scottish Senior National Cross-Country Championships, she won individual bronze medals in 1997 and 2000. Personal bests: 3000m 9.41.71; 10,000m 35.10.55; Marathon 2.43.54.  Anne finished third in the 1993 Scottish Athletics 3000m. She raced six times in the World Mountain Running Trophy/Cup; and twice in the European Mountain Running Championships. Later, Anne Buckley became Team Leader for  the GB and NI Mountain Running Team and Chair of Selectors. 

Kathy Butler (born 22/10/1973) had previously competed for Canada in the 1996 Olympic 5000m. However, she had been born in Edinburgh (with English parents). Kathy changed allegiance to the UK in 2000 and she ran well in the 2001 World Cross Short Course event, for which she was selected again in 2003. Running for Windsor SEH, Scottish 1500m titles were won in 2000 and 2002. In 2001, She ran the World Championship 3000m Indoors and 5000m. In 2004 she won the AAA 10,000m (a title she retained a year later) and finished 12^th in that event at the 2004 Olympics. Kathy Butler specialised in 10.000m and was 12^th in the 2006 European Championships and (running for Scotland) 7^th in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Between 2000 and 2006, Kathy was usually first in the Scottish rankings: at 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m and marathon (2.28.39 in 2006).

Jackie Byng ran for Irvine AC. In 1991, she finished third W35 in the Scottish Senior Women’s National XC. In the 1992 Scottish 10k Road Championships, she won a bronze medal. Jackie Byng won the W50 Scottish Masters XC title in 1995 and 1997; and became W55 Champion in 2000.

Carol Cadger (born 14/9/50) ran for Perth Strathtay Harriers. She was a marathon and ultra-marathon runner. In both 2000 and 2001, Carol won silver medals in the Scottish Marathon Championships. She won four gold medals in the Scottish 50 km event (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2002). Carol Cadger ran for Scotland in the Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km three times, including fourth place in 1999 and third in 2000 – she won the Scottish title on both occasions.

Lindsay Cairns (married name McMahon) was born on 1/6/1971 and ran for Kilmarnock Harriers. She became Scottish 10,000m champion in 1997; won three silver medals at that distance (1993, 1994, 1996); and another silver in the 1997 5000m. Between 1994 and 1998, Lindsay ran for Scotland twice on the road (at 10k) and five times on cross-country, in the British XC Championships and other contests. In 1996, at Margate, she finished second Scot in a match v Ireland, England, France and Wales. In 2001, Lindsay McMahon won individual silver in the Scottish Senior National XC Championships. Her club, Johnny Walker Kilmarnock AC, in the Scottish XC Relays, won team silver in 2000 and bronze in 2001. They also won bronze in the 2001 Scottish Road Relays.

 Elaine Calder (born 26/4/1962) was a marathon and ultra-marathon runner who competed for Strathaven Striders. In both 2002 and 2004, she won silver medals in the Scottish Marathon Championship. She won the Scottish 50km Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2010. Elaine Calder ran for Scotland in the Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km three times, including fourth place in 2007 and third in 2008.

Patricia (Tricia) Calder (born 17/9/1952) was a durable athlete who raced for Duns and also Edinburgh AC. She ran well on cross-country, road and (especially) hills. Her marathon personal best was 2.48.36 (narrowly second to Ann Curtis) at Dundee in 1985. Racing for Scottish Veterans, Tricia was the leading Scot in the first two British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country events. In 1988, she won individual and team silver; and added another individual and team silver in 1989. In 1992, Tricia Calder ran as a Senior for Scotland in an International 10k road race in Cardiff, when the Scottish Women’s team won, defeating England, Wales and Ireland.) For Scotland, Tricia contributed to Scottish team bronze medals in the 1988 and 1990 World Mountain Running Championships; finished first Scot in this fixture four times; and was also Scottish W35 XC Champion in 1989. Racing for Scotland, she won the Snowdon Mountain International in 1990 and 1992. Tricia Calder was Scottish Hill Running Champion in  1989, 1990 and 1991.

Mary Campbell (Maryhill Harriers) was a consistently good cross-country runner. In the Senior National XC, she finished 7^th in 1955. She was 6^th in both 1956 and 1957, when Maryhill Harriers won the team titles. Mary ran for Scotland v England in two cross-country matches: in 1956 at Upminster; and in 1957 at Musselburgh.

Mary Campbell (Speedman) was born on 21/4/45 and ran for Bellahouston, Maryhill Ladies and London Olympiades. On the track, Mary Speedman competed for Scotland in the 1970 Commonwealth Games 800m.Mary won the Scottish 800m title in 1969 and 1974; finished second in 1971 and 1973; and also secured bronze medals at 220 yards and 800m. In 1965, Mary Campbell ran a world indoor best of 1:24.3 for 600 yards at Cosford and ran for GB v USA. She was a Scottish International on track (indoors and outdoors) and cross-country. In 1969, Mary Speedman became Scottish Senior National XC Champion and led Maryhill Ladies AC to the team title. She contributed to team silver in 1970 and 1971,

Alison Carr was born on 30/8/1966 and ran for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers. In 1996, she enjoyed a lot of success. In the Senior National XC, she was sixth and led DHH to team bronze. Then she raced three cross-country international matches for Scotland: at Mallusk v England and Ireland where she was second Scot; at Ashington for the BAF Championships; and at Margate, v Ireland and England, where she was first Scot. Then Alison won a silver medal in the Scottish 5000m Championship. In the 1996 Scottish 10k road race, Alison was fifth and raced for Scotland at the Glasgow 10k, where Scotland lost to England but beat Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 1998, Alison Carr set a personal best time for the marathon of 3.07.36.

Sheila Catford was born on 29.08.60 at Dundee but lived afterwards in Yorkshire and ran for Leeds City AC. She won the Glasgow Marathon in 1987; and the Glasgow Half Marathon in 1988, as well as several English road races. Sheila was first in the Scottish Marathon ranking lists in 1988 and 1990; and second in 1987, 1989 and 1991. She ran consistently fast – always under 2.40, with a very good personal best of 2.33.04, when 11^th in London 1989 (which beat Lynda Bain’s Scottish Best time). In 1991, Sheila Catford, representing Scotland, finished a good 9^th in the Commonwealth Games Marathon.

Helen Cherry (Donald) was born in 1940 and ran for Bellahouston Harriers. In the1957 Senior National Scottish Cross-Country Championships, Helen finished a good 3^rd. Consequently, she ran XC for Scotland in 1957 at Musselburgh v England. She finished fourth Scot. Scandalously, after 1957 there were no more XC international matches for Scottish women until 1975. There were also absolutely no international opportunities for top Scottish middle-distance track athletes like Helen Cherry. However, in the 1958 National, Helen was 3^rd again and Bellahouston Harriers won the team title. She secured silver medals in the 1959 Scottish One Mile Championship; and the 1962 Scottish 880 yards. Helen Cherry won Scottish Championships three times: 880 in 1961 and One Mile in 1962 and 1963. At British level, she won two bronze medals for One Mile in the WAAA Championships in London: in 1963; and also in 1962, when she set a new Scottish Record of 5 minutes 2.5 seconds.

Lesley Chisholm was born on 3/1/1975 and has raced for Springburn Harriers, City of Glasgow and Garscube Harriers. She first appeared in the Scottish Athletics lists in 1994, with a 3000m time of 10.25.25. Her next 3000m seems to have been in 2007, when she was 32 years old. As late as 2019, Lesley was running faster than in 1994. Personal best at the distance? 10.05.47 in 2016. In 2006, Lesley Chisholm won two silver medals: in the Scottish 5000m; and the Scottish 10k road race. Previously, she had secured bronze in the 2005 10k championship. In 2013, Lesley Chisholm added Scottish Masters 10k gold; and in 2015 Masters Half Marathon silver. She also won the Masters 5k road race three times. Internationally, Lesley ran cross-country twice for Scotland as a Senior. In 2006, (having been 7^th in the Scottish Senior National), she competed in Ireland, was third Scottish counter and the team lost to USA but beat Ireland. In 2014 at Nottingham, in the Home Countries International, she finished 12^th (second Scot) and Scotland lost to England but outscored Wales and Northern Ireland. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Lesley Chisholm (W40) was first finisher a record-equalling four times: 2015-2017 and 2019. In the British and Irish Masters International XC, she ran well for Scotland several times in the W35 and W40 categories.  In 2014, as a Senior Woman, she raced for  Scotland in the Home Countries Hill Running International, finishing sixth (and second Scot) – the team won silver medals.

Erica Christie was born on 10/3/1956 and ran for Bellahouston Harriers and the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club. Between 1986 and 2012, she featured in the Scottish Athletics Marathon rankings, with a highest position of 7^th and a personal best of 2.54.24. In 1996, Erica won a bronze medal in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships. She won a bronze medal in the 2006 Scottish Marathon Championships. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Erica Christie won the W50 title in 2008 and 2009. In the W55 age-group, she secured silver in 2012 and bronze in 2015.

Megan Clark (Wright) was born on 31/7/73 and ran for Hunters Bog Trotters. In the Scottish Annual rankings, for the marathon she was second (2003 and 2004) and fourth in 2001, with a personal best of 2.47.24. In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Megan Wright contributed to HBT team silver in 2012 and bronze in 2011. Megan was third W40 in the 2015 Scottish Half Marathon. In the Scottish Masters XC, she was third W40 in 2016; third W45 in 2018; and won the W45 title in 2019.

Anne Clarkson (Purvis from 1983) was born on 5/3/59 and was an 800m specialist who ran for  Edinburgh University and Edinburgh Southern Harriers. She raced for Scotland on the track 20 times; and for GB in the 1982 European Championships. Anne ran for Scotland in the 1982 and 1986 Commonwealth Games. In 1982 she was part of the 4x400m team that won bronze; and in 1984 she was fourth in the 800m and her 4x400m team finished fourth too. Anne Clarkson won the AAA 800m in 1980 and 1981; and the UK 800m in 1986. She was Scottish 800m champion in 1983 and 1985.

Joanna Cliffe was born on 16/5/1970 and ran for Glasgow University, Shettleston Harriers and Edinburgh Southern Harriers/Woolen Mill. She came from Northern Ireland but ran 1500m for Scotland in a 1992 International match v Greece and Cyprus (finishing fourth). In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Glasgow University H&H (including Joanna) won the team title in 1991, and added team silver medals in 1992 and 1993 (when Joanna finished sixth). In the 1991 Scottish Road Relay, the Hares & Hounds finished third.

Eileen Cochrane was born on 16/9/1966 and ran for City of Glasgow AC. On the track, between 1988 and 2001, she raced distances from 800m to 5000m and won a bronze medal in the 1999 Scottish 5000m Championship. In the Scottish Senior National XC, Eileen won several team medals with City of Glasgow, including gold in 1989 and 1990. Her best individual position was 7^th. In the Scottish XC Relays, Eileen contributed to gold in 1985, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Eileen also won gold in the Scottish Six Stage Road Relay (1987, 1989, 1992 and 2001). Such a durable runner was likely to do well as a Veteran. In 2003, Eileen became W35 champion in the Scottish Masters XC. Eileen Cochrane ran three International cross-country matches as a Senior for Scotland. She was third Scot in 1989 at Margate; ran the 1990 World Cross Country Trials at Glasgow; and at Cumbernauld in 1993, finished third (second Scot) and Scotland beat Northern Ireland and three other teams.

Jill Cox (Knowles) was born on 25/5/77 and ran for City of Glasgow AC and the Scottish Prison Service. She first appeared in the Scottish ranking lists in 1995; then raced as Jill Knowles from 1998 onwards. Jill won the Scottish 5000m track title in 2007. She secured silver medals in the 2004 Indoor 1500m; and the Indoor 3000m in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004, as well as bronze in 1999 and 2008. Jill Knowles raced for Scotland in 2004 at Brussels. The event was an Ekiden Relay and her team lost to Ireland but beat Belgium and France. In the Scottish Road Relay, Glasgow (including Jill), won team gold in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006; plus silver in 2003 and 2007. In the Senior National XC, Jill was in the team that won silver medals in 2004, when she finished 9^th. In the 2012 Scottish Marathon Championship at Inverness, Jill Knowles won Senior bronze and Masters bronze medals. In 2013, she added Masters bronze in the Scottish 10 miles road.

 Margaret Crawford ran for Maryhill Ladies. In the Senior National Cross-Country Championships, Maryhill Ladies won team gold medals in 1962 (with Margaret 4^th); 1963 (3^rd); 1964 (3^rd in front of Leslie Watson);1965 (5^th); and 1966 (3^rd). A consistently good cross-country runner like Margaret Crawford was very unlucky that there were no Scottish International XC matches for women between 1958 and 1975. In the One Mile track event, she appeared in the 1962 and 1964 Scottish Athletics rankings.

Susan Crawford (25.06.64, Teviotdale, Kilbarchan a, Glasgow, Edinburgh Southern, University of Alabama    Susan was a very good athlete who performed well whether on track or over the country and who profited from her time at the University of Alabama.   Best times: 800m  –  2:11.0; 1000m  –  2:52.4i;  1500  –  4:23.8;  Mile  –  4:47.6;  2000m  –  6:15.9i; 3000 –  9:22.88.   Competition record  Scottish: 1 i1500 ’91, 2 i3000 ’91.   Susan was also a good cross-country runner and winner of the West District championships.

Sheena Crockett, (Aberdeen) only appeared in the ranking lists twice – both were in 1960 at 440 yards in 66.4 seconds and the Mile in 5:38.0 which placed second fastest in Scotland for the year.   She also won the SWAAA Mile championship.   

Shona Crombie-Hicks was born on 1/6/1971 and ran for Winchester and Bourton Road Runners. In the 2005 Edinburgh Marathon, Shona Crombie-Hicks became Scottish Women’s Marathon Champion in the good time of 2.44.58 Shona was a former jockey who took up running to control her weight. She came originally from Aberdeen but moved to Portsmouth when young. Having become a marathon runner, she won her first three races: in Lanzarote, Manchester and Copenhagen. She was selected for the Scottish Marathon team in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games but had to withdraw due to injury. Undaunted, once recovered she entered the 2003 Flora 1000-mile challenge, walking one mile every hour for 1000 hours, and finishing by running the London Marathon. The event started on March 2nd 2003. At 8.45 a.m. on April 13th, the five remaining competitors completed the 1000 miles together. Then they ran the London Marathon – and Shona Crombie-Hicks was by far the fastest, recording 3 hours 8 minutes. Later on, Shona Crombie-Hicks set records for marathons in Lanzarote, Jersey and Guernsey. Her personal best time was an excellent 2.38.42 in the 2005 Berlin Marathon; and she competed for Scotland in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games marathon, finishing 6^th in 2.51.41. Shona was still running sub-3 hours marathons in 2018.

                                                Ann Curtis (89) and Maggie Baillie (16). First and second in the 1984 Edinburgh 10 miles road race.

Ann Curtis was born on 4/2/1954 and ran for Livingston AC. In the Scottish annual marathon rankings, Ann was 9^th in 1983, 8^th in 1985 and 11^th in 1986. 1985 was her best year. Ann set her personal best on 28^th April, when winning the 1985 Dundee Marathon in a course record 2.48.00 (by 36 seconds from a fast-closing Tricia Calder). Even in the year 2000, Ann’s time featured in the all-time top-twenty Scottish rankings. On the 16^th of September: “English-born Dr Ann Curtis raced away to win gold in the 1985 Scottish Marathon Championship, which was held as part of the Aberdeen event. Her time of 2.55.55 brought her home well in front of Ireland’s Teresa Kidd (3.1.57), with Aberdeen AAC’s Janine Robertson third.” Ann Curtis was also a fine hill racer and won the Scottish Hill Running Championships in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

Below: Ann Clarkson Purvis (4)

SWAAA 1500m 1985.   Evelyn Gisbey on the left, Elspeth Turner 85 and Susan Crawford 5

Hazel Dean was born on 5/2/1963 and ran for Central AC. In the Scottish Senior National Cross-Country Championships, she contributed to team bronze in 2005 and 2008; as well as Scottish Cross-Country Relay bronze in 2004 and silver in 2006; and Scottish Road Relay gold in 2008. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Hazel won the W40 title in 2004 and 2005, after bronze in 2003 (when Central AC won team gold – they regained that title in 2009). In 2009, she became W45 Champion. She added W50 silver in 2015; and W55 silver in 2019. Back in 2008 and 2009, Hazel Dean won Masters bronze in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships. In 2011, she added Masters bronze in the Scottish 10k Road.

Alison Docherty was born on 12/6/1979 and ran for Ayr Seaforth and Central AC. She raced cross-country for Scotland in 2010, finishing 3^rd Scot v England and Wales. In 2008, Alison’s 10,000m time of 37.23.09 ranked fourth (and won a Scottish Championship bronze medal); and in 2010, her marathon (2.55.11) ranked sixth. In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Alison featured in Central AC teams which won bronze medals in 2008 and 2010; and won the title in 2009 (when Alison was Central’s first finisher in 9^th position). Her team also won the 2007 Scottish XC Relay and the 2008 Scottish Road Relay. Alison won bronze medals in the 2008 and 2009 Scottish 10k Road Race.

Anne Docherty was born on 11/3/1945 and ran for Forres Harriers and the Scottish Veteran Harrier club. She had ‘always’ been a swimmer, but took up running with encouragement from Forres Harriers. Between the ages of 60 and 70 plus, she was a real asset to Scottish and British Masters Athletics, having won Scottish and British cross-country titles as well as the British Masters W65 marathon championship. In the British and Irish Masters International XC, Anne raced for Scotland several times, the highlight being a W70 team victory in 2016.

Kay Dodson was born on 23/12/46 and raced for Law & District AAC, Scottish Veteran Harriers Club, Road Runners Club and Carnethy Hill Runners. Kay ran well on road and cross-country. In XC, her best races took place during the winter of 1985/86, when she won the West District women’s vets cross-country championship at Lanark racecourse and the Scottish National women’s vets cross-country championship at Irvine. In 1988 she became SVHC hill race champion at Campsie Hill. Kay Dodson ran many marathons (personal best; 3.03.28), and won the Motherwell Marathon three times plus Lochaber, Dumfries and (first veteran) at Inverclyde. Even longer distances were successful ventures: Brechin 24-hours road (where she set a Scottish record distance); West Highland Way (first woman); 1992 South Downs Way Race (World Trail Championship 80 miles – first W45); Two Bridges 36; Bolton 40 (first woman); London to Brighton. Kay Dodson was SVHC President and edited the club’s newsletter for several years.

Aileen Drummond (Lusk) was born in 1928 and ran for Maryhill Harriers, Western and the SVHC. In the 1950s, she won the Scottish One Mile track title and broke the Scottish record three times. In 1954, she ran for Scotland v England on the track in a 3×880 yards relay. In addition, she ran three cross-country matches for Scotland (1954-1956), twice finishing first Scot. Aileen was Scottish WAAA 880y champion in 1954 and 55 (she also won bronze in the 1954 English WAAA event); Mile Champion in 1953, 54 and 55; and Cross-Country champion 1954 to 1956 (leading Maryhill H to three team titles). After ‘retirement’ (to have a family) she started racing on the track again in 1967. Encouraged by her friend Dale Greig, Aileen Lusk competed in cross-country again and also in road races. As a pioneer veteran, she had considerable success: silver or bronze medals in three IGAL (World Veterans) 10k Championships; plus (in 1975 and 1977) fourth places in the Scottish Women Veteran Runners Association cross-country championships – the Veterans category was for women over 35, but in 1975 Aileen was well over 45 – and would race for at least ten more years. Truly a long and impressive career for a talented, determined and well-respected lady.     Read her full profile here.

Sheila Duncan ran for Edinburgh Harriers. In 1957 she won the Scottish 880 yards track title in 2.26.8, from Joan King (Streatham) and Marion Macaulay of Edinburgh Harriers. In the 1958 Scottish National Cross-Country Championships, Sheila finished fourth and led Edinburgh Harriers to team silver medals. In 1960, she secured individual silver in the Scottish Championship 880 yards.

Marie Duthie was born on 30/3/1959 and ran for Fraserburgh AC. She was French; and very successful in North-East Scotland road and XC events. Marie was North District Cross-Country Champion in 1990, 1998 and 2001. In 1990, she won the Scottish Athletics 10,000m title. Her  winning time was 36.41.84, which was fourth in the annual rankings.

Agnes Elder ran for Maryhill Harriers. In the 1954 Scottish National XC, she finished fifth and Maryhill won the team title. Agnes, as one of the first six, was selected to run for Scotland v England at Birmingham – the first International since World War Two. In that event, Agnes was 9^th (third Scot). She was fifth once more in the 1955 National, Maryhill won, and Agnes ran again for Scotland v England, this time at Ayr, where she finished twelfth.

Alexandra Ercolani, (18.08.75, Glasgow University, City of Glasgow)   was a consistently good runner over the traditional grouping of 800m, 1500m and 3000m with best times of 2:10.9, 4:40.8 and 10:38.7i respectively.

Esther Evans [WAL] (22.12.73, Strathclyde University, City of Glasgow) ran in Scotland between 1996 and 1998 inclusive and had best times of 2:13.25i for 800m (2:15.3 outdoors), 4:40.8 (1500m) and 10:38.7i for 300m.   Esther was second in the Scottish indoor 1500m in 1996. 

Andrea Everett (Paolillo) as born on 22.06.64 and ran for Bannerman HS, Shettleston, Glasgow and Purdue University (USA). She was the daughter of Graham Everett, a famous Scottish athlete. In Scottish Athletics Championships, she won the Senior 3000m title in 1984, won a silver medal at that distance in 1985, plus bronze medals in the 1981 and 1982 1500m. In the 1986 Commonwealth Games, Andrea Everett finished ninth in the 10,000m. In the annual Scottish rankings lists, Andrea was second: in 1984, 1985 and 1986 (5000m); in 1986 and 1987 (10,000m); and in 1999 (marathon). Her personal bests were: 1500m ( 4.20.21); 3000m (9.17.70); 5000m (16.17.1 Indoors); 10,000m (33.40.6 in the 1986 CG).  For Scotland, between 1983 and 1986, she ran six track International matches, racing five over 3000m (including a win in the 1983 contest v Iceland, Israel and Northern Ireland – Scotland won that match) and one over 10,000m. Andrea Everett ran cross-country for Scotland in 1984, in the IAAF World Championships at East Rutherford, USA. Previously, representing Glasgow AC, she had finished second in the 1984 Scottish Senior National XC championships. Her team won silver medals too. (Shettleston Ladies had secured bronze in 1982, when Andrea was fifth.)   The picture below is from 1982.

Collette Fagan was born on 6/6/1982 and ran for City of Glasgow AC. In the 2001 Junior World Cross at Ostend, Collette Fagan, representing GB, finished 38^th (third Briton) and the UK team did well to be 6^th from 23. Collette won the Scottish under-20 National XC title in 2002; and the Senior National title in 2005. On the track, she won bronze at the European Junior 5000 in 2001 and was 5th two years later at the European U23s. In 2000, Collette was part of the winning GB junior team at the European Cross-Country, placing 9th in the individual event. As a Senior, Collette ran for Scotland four times on the track; and twice on cross-country, including in Liverpool, November 2003, when Kathy Butler, Susan Partridge, Collette Fagan and Freya Murray helped Scotland to defeat England. She won the Scottish 10km title on the road in 2003.She was first in the Scottish 5000m championship in 2004 (when she was third in the AAA as well) and retained the Scottish 5000m title in 2005. Collette Fagan ran for Scotland in the 2006 Commonwealth Games 10,000m, finishing twelfth. Career bests of 4:29.2 (1500), 9:15.18 (3000), 15:49.51 (5000), 33:00.31 (10,000) and 2:45:11 marathon.

Sheila Fairweather was born on 24/11/1977 and ran for City of Glasgow AC and Glasgow University Hares and Hounds. Sheila was a brilliant, very talented athlete who died tragically young. She won the Scottish National XC under-17 title in 1995 and the under-20 XC championship in 1998. Sheila ran for Scotland in three Junior XC Internationals; and one Senior XC International. She ran for GB in the 1996 World Cross at Stellenbosch, South Africa. In 1997 she became Scottish Athletics Senior 5000m title holder; and at British level won 3000m silver in 1999 and 10,000m bronze in 2001. In 2001, Sheila Fairweather won individual bronze in the Scottish Senior National XC championships; then she ran well for Scotland in a Senior International at Loughborough against England, Wales and two other sides, finishing third in the 3000m.

Cathie Farrell (Clydesdale Harriers) was a good hill runner in the 1980’s and early 90’s who finished 18th in the Women’s Hill Running Championships in 1989 and 9th in 1990.   

Molly Ferguson (Wilmoth) ran for Springburn H and became not only a successful athlete but also a really important and well-respected official and administrator. In the Scottish National XC Championships, she finished fourth in 1954 and 1955, leading Springburn Harriers to team silver medals on both occasions. Molly ran in three International XC matches against England (1954-1956), finishing fourth Scottish counter in all three. In the Scottish Athletics Track Championships, she won the 880 yards in 1956 and 1958; as well as securing bronze medals in 1954, 1955 and 1959. Molly Wilmoth and Aileen Drummond became the first women to serve on the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club committee; and Molly became the first woman to be President. She was also the first woman to be President of the SWCCU. Molly Wilmoth and her husband Danny were awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by Scottish Athletics in 2004.   Read more about Molly here.

Jacqui Ferrari ran for Pitreavie AAC. In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, she contributed to team bronze medals in 1985; 1986; and 1987 (when she was also 3^rd W35). In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, she secured W45 bronze in 1997, when Pitreavie AAC won team gold medals. In 1987, Jacqui Ferrari (W35) won the Glenrothes Half Marathon outright.

Susan Finch was born on 11/9/1962 and ran for City of Glasgow AC. In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Susan contributed to team silver in 2002 (when she finished 11^th). City of Glasgow AC won the Scottish XC Relays in 2003, 2004 and 2007; and the Scottish Road Relays in 2001 and 2002. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Susan Finch was W35 Champion in 2002; won the W40 title in 2007; and W45 in 2008.

Lisa Finlay (from Northern Ireland) was born on 13/7/1969 and ran for Dumfries Running Club. She became Scottish Marathon champion in 2011; and won silver medals in 2012 and 2013. Lisa won Scottish Masters gold for: 10k road in 2014; 10 miles road in 2014 and 2016; Half Marathon in 2015; and Marathon in 2011, 2013 and 2017.

Frances Florence was born on 6/7/1959 and ran for Shettleston Harriers/Ladies. In 1998, she won a silver medal in the Scottish Marathon Championships. Her personal best was 3.03.08 and she ranked in the Scottish top six on two occasions. In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Shettleston (including Frances) won team bronze in 1998 and gold in 2002, when she finished 8^th. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Frances won the W40 title in 2002 (and team silver). In the Scottish Senior Half Marathon, she secured a bronze medal in 2007.

Jean Folan,  (15.07.51)Edinburgh Southern Harriers, 1500m and 3000m in 1977 and 1978 with bests of 4:38.6 and 10:13.9.

Susan Foster was born on 30/5/1945 and ran for Aldershot, Farnham and District. Susan finished third in the 1969 Scottish National XC. Consequently, she ran for Scotland in the 1969 ICCU International match, over a hilly 3km course at Dalmuir, Scotland, and finished 22nd (second counter behind Margaret MacSherry). The Scottish team was fifth. On the track, Susan raced distances between 400m and 3000m. In 1969, she was second in the annual Scottish Athletics rankings for 3000m; and was fourth in 800m and 1500m.

Gillian E. Fowler, (21.01.7, Glasgow   was a runner who represented Scottish Schools and Scottish age group teams and raced 400m, 800m, 1500m.   She had best times of 59.0 (for 400), 1:39.1 for 600m and 2:15.6 for 800m.     

Doreen Fulton ran for Springburn Harriers. In the Scottish National XC Championships, she finished sixth and Springburn second team. In 1956, Doreen was second. In 1957, she finished fourth. Doreen Fulton ran for Scotland in three cross-country internationals against England. Her best performance was in 1957, when she was seventh and first Scot home. In the 1959 National XC, Doreen finished fourth and led Springburn Harriers to the team title. In 1960, this consistent athlete was third and her team finished second. 1961 (fourth and team second again). In 1961, Doreen Fulton won the Scottish Athletics One Mile title (after a very close battle with Anglo-Scot Anne Reilly); and at that distance was ranked second in Scotland.

Clare Gemmell was born on 6/8/1969 and ran for Springburn Harriers. In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, she won the W35 title in 2007, after bronze in 2006. In 2008, when Clare secured W35 silver, Springburn finished third team. In 2009, Clare added Scottish Masters bronze in the 10k Championships.

Marlene Gemmell (Hunter) was born on 21/6/1972 and ran for Strathkelvin Ladies and Springburn Harriers. On the track, from 1990 to 1996 she ran 1500m, 3000m and 5000m. Then from 2013 to 2016 she switched to marathons. In 1988, Marlene ran cross-country as a Junior for Scotland. This match was at Cardiff. She finished second Scot and her team lost to England and Ireland but beat Wales and Northern Ireland. In 1994 Marlene Gemmell won individual bronze in the Scottish Senior National XC Championships; she finished fifth in 1995. As a Senior, in 1994 and 1995, she ran for Scotland twice on cross-country: at the British Championships in Alnwick; at Mallusk (when she was first Scot). She ran for Scotland three times on the road – in the 1994 Glasgow 10k (third Scottish counter); the 1995 Glasgow 10k (fourth Scot); and the 1995 Cardiff 10k (8^th and first Scot).

Claire Gibson was born on 25/12/1982 and ran for Kilbarchan AC. In the Scottish National XC Championships, Kilbarchan won under-17 team gold in 2000, with Claire 10^th; in 2002, it was under-20 team silver, with Claire 5^th. However, Claire’s real strength was on the track. In the Scottish Athletics Championships, she won the Senior 800m in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 plus silver or bronze medals in other years. In the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Claire Gibson ran 800m and 4x400m for Scotland. In 2012, she won the British Indoor 1500m title. In total, she ran 13 track internationals for Scotland.

Betty Gilchrist was born on 20/9/44 and ran for Ferranti AAC and SVHC. She lived in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years and joined a running group there. Having retired to Scotland, she continued running and said that her five favourite races would be: “Bahrain Marathon Relay; Brampton to Carlisle; Midnight Sun; Porty New Year’s Day; and, of course, Parkrun (great for us older runners)”. (There is fascinating detail on the Bahrain Relay in her full profile.) In the Scottish Masters XC Championships, Betty won the W65 title in 2011 and 2012; and the W70 gold medal in 2015. On the road she won the W70 Scottish 10k in 2019. Betty Gilchrist achieved an impressive clear W70 victory in the 2014 British and Irish Masters Cross Country International. She was second in the age group at the 2015 event; and fourth in 2016, when she led the Scottish Masters W70 team (Betty, Liz Corbett, Anne Docherty) to gold medals.

Evelyn Gisbey  (22.01.64, Glasgow Univ, Ayrshire, Victoria Park, Glasgow, City of Glasgow)  Grant from 88-93 was a member of the British Milers Club and ran well in their races in the 1980’s.   Evelyn had best times of 2:11.4 (800m), 4:26.2 (1500), 5:54.00 (Mile indoors), 9:51.21 (3000m), 17:39.79 (5000m).   Highlights of her competition record in the Scottish championships include: 2nd, 1500m ’84;   2nd i1500 ’87, ’91, ’92;   3rd i3000 ’90.   Evelyn also ran well on the country.

 Sally Goldsmith was born on 18/11/1961 and ran for Edinburgh University and Edinburgh Southern/Woolen Mill. Personal bests: 3000m 9.32.2; Marathon 2.44.20. She was born in England but, in the 1984 Scottish Senior National Cross-Country Championships, was part of the ESH team that won the title, having secured team silver medals in 1983 (and in 1989, when Sally finished fifth). She also contributed to team silver in the 1984 Scottish Road Relay.

Sheila Gollan was born on 18/7/1964 and ran for Inverness Harriers, Edinburgh Southern/EWM and East Sutherland AC. In the Scottish Athletics Championships, she won two individual bronze medals, for the 1991 800m and the 1994 1500m. Sheila raced two Senior track internationals: in 1993, both 3000m indoors 3000m – she finished second v Wales but won v Northern Ireland. Sheila ran cross-country for Scotland twice: 1990 in Glasgow (4^th Scottish counter); and 1994 in Glasgow (3^rd Scottish counter. Scotland lost to England and Ireland but beat Wales and Northern Ireland). Sheila featured in EWM teams that won Scottish XC Relay gold medals in 1993 and 1995. She became North District Senior XC Champion in 1993, when she led Inverness Harriers to the team title. In the Scottish Masters XC Championship, Sheila won W45 silver in 2010; and became W50 champion in 2018.

Dale Greig

Carol-Ann Gray was born on 7/4/1964 and ran for Edinburgh AC and City of Glasgow. In the Scottish Athletics Championships, she won the 1500m in 1993 and added silver medals in 1992 and 1994. She added 800m bronze in 1988 and 1992. Indoors, Carol-Ann Gray won the Scottish 1500m title in 1995 and 2003 and added silver or bronze in other years. She was East District Champion 8 times: 3 for 800m and five for 1500m. A special day took place in 1993, when Carol-Ann became British Indoor 1500m champion. Her personal best times were: 800m 2.09.87;1500m 4.24.92. Before her track career flourished, Carol-Ann Gray, with a strong finish, became 1987 Scottish Marathon Champion. Between 1988 and 1994, she ran for Scotland on the track ten times, against Ireland, Iceland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Turkey. Her best finishing positions were second places in an 800m and two 1500s v NI; and a 1500m victory v Wales. The Scottish team won five of those matches.  

Dale Greig was born on 15/5/1937 and ran for Bellahouston Harriers and Tannahill Harriers. The Scottish Athletics website says: “A pioneering woman distance runner who ventured into the area of marathons and ultra-distance running that even seasoned and hardened male runners regarded with trepidation, Dale Greig became one of the first women to run a marathon, setting the  inaugural recognised  IAAF women’s world best for the distance. In addition to her competitive achievements, she acted as a national administrator, official, race organiser and athletics writer over a long period of time, editing “Dale’s Diary” in the Scots Athlete magazine.” Dale Greig ran cross-country twice for Scotland. The first time was in 1957 v England. There were no more opportunities until 1967. Then, in the 1968 ICCU Championships, Dale finished 14^th (third Scottish counter) and the team won bronze medals. She was Scottish XC Champion in 1962 and 1964; won three bronze medals in the Scottish One Mile track; was the first woman to run the London to Brighton 53 miles in 1972; and was World Veteran Marathon champion in 1974.    Dale’s full profile is here.

Mary Gunn (Chambers from 1966) was born on 2/12/1941 and ran for Blaydon Harriers and Edinburgh AC. On the track, in Scottish Athletics Championships she won: silver medals in the 1974 and 1975 1500m; bronze in the 1976 1500m; bronze in the 1963 One Mile; and bronze in 3000m (1971 and 1977). She was East District One Mile champion 1963-1965. In the Scottish Senior National XC, Mary Chambers finished 4^th in 1973; 6^th in 1974; and 5^th in 1975 and 1976. Mary raced for Scotland over cross-country in: 1973 IAAF World Cross; 1976 IAAF;1975 Home Countries International; 1976 v England, Ireland and Wales (when Mary finished 17^th and second Scot); and 1977 v England and Ireland.

Palm Gunstone (nee Lindsay) was born in 1946 and ran for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers. (She married Scottish International athlete Doug Gunstone.) On the track, Palm won a silver medal in the 1974 3000m; and, in 1973, bronze medals in the Indoor 1500m and outdoor 3000m. She won the East District 880 yards in 1965. In the Scottish Senior National XC, Dundee (including Palm) won team gold medals in 1970, 1971 and 1972. (Palm also secured team silver with Victoria Park in 1976.) She won the East District XC title in 1975. Palm Gunstone ran for Scotland (1973-1975) in three IAAF World Cross Championships: in Belgium, Italy and Morocco; and also in the 1975 Home Countries match at Coatbridge, where she was third Scottish counter; and in the same 1976 fixture at Rawtenstall in England. In the 1984 Scottish Senior National Cross-Country, the SWCCU included a W35 category for the first time – and Palm Gunstone became the first official champion. Before that, she had served on the SWCCU committee, first as Secretary and then as President (between 1979-80 and 1981-82).

Penny Gunstone (Rother from 1980) was born on 15/2/1958 and ran for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, Edinburgh AC and Livingston. (Her elder brother was Scottish International athlete Doug Gunstone.) Penny was a versatile, durable athlete who ran well on track, country, road and hill before turning to triathlon. In the Scottish Athletics Championships, Penny won the 1975 Indoor 1500m and added bronze in 1976; and gained another bronze in the outdoor 3000m (1978). She won East District track titles: 1974 1500m; 1978 3000m. As a Senior, in 1976, Penny ran 3000m for Scotland v Wales and Belgium. In 1974, Penny Gunstone (4^th) led DHH to team gold in the Scottish under-17 XC Championships; in 1976, Penny was 7^th in the Senior National when Edinburgh AC secured team bronze medals. EAC (with Penny 8^th) won 1987 team silver; and added bronze in 1989. As a Junior, Penny ran cross-country for Scotland in 1975. As a Senior, she ran for Scotland twice on the road (in the Glasgow 10k); and seven times on cross-country. One good result was when Penny Rother was second Scottish counter in 1985 – Scotland lost to England and Ireland but beat Wales and Northern Ireland. Penny Rother represented Scotland in 4 Hill running World Cups (1988 Keswick, 1991 Zermatt, 1993 Gap and Telfes in 1996). In 1988, her Scottish Team won team bronze medals in the World Mountain Running Championships.    Read Penny’s complete profile here.

Aileen Drummond and Diane Leather: Scottish and English Mile Champions and Cross-Country Champions

The Thistle (in Scotland) and 5 Star Certificates (in England, mainly) were very popular with young athletes, their coaches and parents alike.   I was responsible for a lot of the club organisation and in addition I did special sessions for our own two children, my sister’s children and the children of friends.   I’m pleased to say that they almost all came into the club via these sessions.   Here are just some of the certificates issued at the time.

The certificates are examples of the many that were issued through the clubs and youth organisations in Scotlsna but certificates were and, I would suggest, could continue to be valuable motivators – see those below.   The first is not only for completing a Fun Run but was an advertising medium too!

Others were for events held in conjunction with events for seniors and veterans.

Whatever happened to Fun Runs?

.Did you call them track suit badges or patches?   Did you collect them and wear them with pride or not ever wear them?   For many years they were awarded for talent, for effort,, for having been a member of a particular team, for a specialist club or for many other things. 

Isn’t that 1934 Empire Games badge a treasure?   Both those above are Mildred Strorrar’s and we have them courtesy of Janet Hardy. 

Before going on, the help of Alex Jackson, Colin Youngson and Hugh Barrow in the making of this page should be acknowledged.  The badge at the top of the page was a blazer badge for Scottish track & field teams, the two below were for cross-country.   But we start with a badge that was not for any tracksuit – a metal badge to commemorate the SCCU centenary that belonged to Raymond Hutcheson and sent by Graham McDonald of Pitreavie.

There was also a wire version of the above centenary badge for officials blazers – they also did wire coaches badges for blazers,  

Alex Jackson tells us that at the 1986 Commonwealth Games there was an officials cloth badge: BHS supplied the clothing so they were allowed to put their name on the badge.   Then the store went bust.   The two were not connected, I don’t think.

While we are looking at ‘official badges’ look at the three below.  Alex Jackson tells us that they were ” Inter District badges.”   He says, “At around 1986 Alex Naylor set out a endurance “Plan for the Future”   One aspect was  badges for young  athletes selected for the Inter District cross country teams which I think petered out when SAF came along.   

There were badges for specialist clubs – there were several of those such as the Whip and Carrot Club for high jumpers and  Splash for steeplechasers but the only one which survived (and thrived!) was the British Milers Club which had its own pullover, tie and badges – Hugh Barrow’s original badge is below, and the BMC coach’s badge is below that – worn by such as Derek Parker of Kilbarchan.

Coaches liked them – maybe because they were often overlooked, possibly because most of them were undervalued or just because they liked to be known for what they were.   The one below is for the National Association oif Sports Coaches, and below that is the BAAB Senior Coach badge – there were three of them denoting the level at which the coach could work – Assistant Club Coach, Club Coach and Senior Coach.

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Going back to specialist clubs for a moment, during the marathon running boom in the 79’s and 80’s Ron Hill set up the British Marathon Runners Club,  and new members were issued with free shorts (the ones with the sides open but overlapping slightly) and a patch to wear somewhere about one’s person.   The patch is below.

Then there were the vets…   There was a metal badge for members but also a cloth badge for vest or track suit –

There were badges for special events such as the commemorative Round Scotland Run in April 1983 to mark the centenary of the SAAA awarded to all participants..   The one below was the one awarded to Eddie Devlin of Monkland and Clyde Valley AAC.

Others had to be hard earned, they were not ‘for members only’.   These ones were all won by Colin Youngson and Hugh Barrow:

Timsbury Manor was a legendary venue for early BMC Conferences and courses

The badges above were Steve Taylor’s and passed on by Colin Youngson, some of whose collection is below

Above is one of  Hugh Barrow’s Glasgow Schools badges   Which brings us to schools 

And schools brings us to the well known Thistle and Five Star Awards.   The Five Star came first as far as I am aware and were to encourage young athletes to try new events and in return they would receive an award.   Everyone who entered won an award – all of varying colours.   To win one, the young athlete had to do three events which had to be a comnination of track and field.   There were points awarded for every likely performance and the higher the points total for the events chosen there were awards graded from 5 star to one star.   The tables were also graded for different age groups.   A fair bit of clerical work for the organiser for the athlete could do as many events as he/she wanted.  Some walked away with half a dozen golds or any mix of the colours.  You will note from the patches below that the ages went down to Under 10: in Scotland that was never the case.  The Five Star patches looked like this:

In Scotland, to gain a Thistle Award the athlete had to do three events of which one was a field event and one was a track event and the third could be either.   The most common combinations often included one or more of 100m, long jump and shot putt.   The awards were gold, silver and bronze and for those who failed to get any of these, there was a blue award.   Getting a blue was always possible.    There were of course certificates to accompany the badges and patches – to see some of them, go   here  .

Hugh Barrow’s collection included the following, not to be confused with the Thistle Awards in any way.   These were standard awards for performances achieved at National Championship events.   Not nearly as well made as the Thistle awards, they were harder to get and the top awards were greatly prized and for us lesser mortals, any standard award was an achievement.   You will have seen among Colin’s collection that there were also District standards but here we have Hugh’s standards (or a selection thereof) and then some others.

Different colours for different years, awards for different age groups too.   One of the few times that I ever heard David Bowman of Clydesdale Harriers ever get angry was when he spoke of Tommy Rewcastle oif Plebeian Harriers finishing the marathon and having the standard gun fired almost in his face as he was yards from the finishing line after running the marathon.   He missed his standard badge because somebody decided he would, was the common feeling among the other competitors that day.   The standard mattered.   

The track suit badge awarded by Lanarkshire AAA to athletes competing in the inter-counties competition.

However, it was not only in Britain or Scotland where badges and patches were awarded or used as club markers – note this one from Canada – be we won’t go furth of Britain …..

Joasia Zakrzewski was born on 19/1/1976 and ran for Dumfries RC. Jo ran well at cross-country and on the road from 10k to (her speciality) ultra-marathons. Her fascinating ‘Power of 10’ profile shows that she has raced all over the world. In the Scottish Marathon ranking lists, she showed great consistency, with a personal best of 2.39.15 (Frankfurt 2013) but many times in the low 2.40s. Other personal bests are: 50km 3.26.37 (2011); 100km 7.31.33 (2015 in Holland – European bronze).

She was twice second in the marathon rankings (2011 and 2020) and fourth in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017. A proud day was in 2014, when she ran for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games Marathon at Glasgow, finishing a very respectable 14^th.

For Scottish Masters, Jo ran well several times in the British and Irish Masters International XC, securing W35 bronze in 2015; and contributing to W40 team silver in 2016. Jo’s other Scottish medals include: Masters gold in the 2012 Scottish 10k; Masters silver in the 2013 Scottish 10 miles; Senior bronze in the 2012 Scottish Half Marathon; and Senior gold in the April 2014 Scottish Ultra Trail Running Championship (Milngavie to Tyndrum).

Eleanor Robinson, Joasia Zakrzewski (3rd), Ellie Greenwood (1st) and Jo Meek at the 2014 World Championships in Doha

Jo has run the legendary Comrades Marathon (89 km) four times, securing three gold medals and one silver. Racing for Great Britain in the IAU World 100km Championships, Joasia Zakrzewski won individual silver in 2011 and bronze in 2014 and 2015.

                                       GB team photo at the 2011 World 100km Championships at Winschoten  (Joasi, number 224, finished second)

In 2014, the GB team of Ellie Greenwood, Joasia and Jo Meek won team gold medals. In 2020, aged 44, she won a 24 hours event in Australia with a distance of 236.561 km – unsurprisingly, top of the Scottish rankings for that gruelling event. Jo set four records: the Scottish 24-Hour record; the British 200k (18.53.22) record; the Scottish 100 miles record (14.47.45); and the Scottish 12-Hour record (133.4 km). Joasia Zakrzewski was a team manager at the 2018 World 100k Championships. She has also started coaching.

                                Jo (on the right) with her bronze medal in the 2016 World 100km Championships

EXCERPTS FROM ARTICLES:

“Joasia Zakrzewski started out as a GP, a race doctor and an expedition medic, but was soon tempted to ‘try it from the other side.” Since taking part in a multi-stage race across the Atacama Desert in Chile, she has gone on to compete for GB numerous times in ultra-distance events.”

“In March 2020, Dumfries GP Joasia Zakrzewski headed to Australia for a short holiday. But life had other plans for the runner, originally from the north of England. Her flight home was grounded because of coronavirus.

With no other way back, she returned to Sydney and became what she calls a ‘Corona kid’: ‘sofa surfing and living off her credit card’. For six months, Zakrzewski said, her life was ‘quite hard’. Not sure what to do, after not being able to go home, she put the time in limbo to good use, doing ‘a bit of running’ on the track in July.

By ‘a bit of running’, what the habitually modest Zakrzewski meant was setting four new records: the Scottish 24-hour; British 200k; Scottish 100 miles; and Scottish 12-hour – at her first-ever 24-hour track race: the Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational in Canberra.

By the end of 2020, the Scottish Athletics Masters Athlete of the Year has settled semi-permanently into working – and running life – in Australia. Zakrzewski, who was a GP in Dumfries when she left in the Spring said “I think it’s really important that we (as medics) set a good example for everybody else, stay healthy and keep active. But it’s also important that we have interests outside of work. We’ve got to have a way to switch off, de-stress and think about other things.”

As a doctor, she also advises everyone to keep active outside. “Another thing in this time of coronavirus is vitamin D. It’s been found to be quite important in preventing the virus, reducing risk of infection and reducing severity of the illness. So, getting out in the sun and getting your vitamin D levels up has a double benefit.”

Jo Zakrzewski’s next challenge will be a race to the highest point on mainland Australia, Mount Kosciuszko, which was named after a Polish-Lithuanian general who served in the US War of Independence.

Given her father’s Polish background, the iconic event means much more than just 240km to Zakrzewski. Her goal is ‘to get to the top’, but she’d ‘actually like to finish the race too.” She added “I’d like to get there for my heritage, but I also want to tell people who this amazing guy was. It’s not just a mountain with a weird name, because I know all about weird names.”

In August 2021, Joasia Zakrzewski was back  in Scotland! She raced ‘Ultra Great Britain’ along the 215 miles of the Southern Upland Way and finished second overall and first lady in a time of 62 hours 20 minutes 12 seconds, taking an amazing 17 hours 26 minutes off the previous race record by a woman. In addition, she set the fastest known time (supported) for the Southern Upland Way by 13 minutes 48 seconds. (The Way crosses Scotland, from Portpatrick on the west coast to Cockburnspath on the east, via the hills of the Southern Uplands.)

                                                                                                Nearing the finish in Cockburnspath

Barbara Tait leads Helen Cherry (Donald) 

Morag A. Taggart  (Aberdeen, Penicuik, Central Region, Pitreavie AAC, Dundee Road Runners, (14.06.59) Morag was a marathon runner who started her career with 3:03:49 in 1982 to have the sixth fastest time in Scotland and her most recent was a 3:14:52 in 2008 as a veteran and a career best, so far, of 3:01:54 in 1988.   Competitively she was second in the Scottish marathon championships in 2003, and third in 1983, ’84 and ’86. She won the 1985 Moray Marathon and the 1986 Dundee Marathon.

Jean Tait  was a good cross-country and track runner between the wars who won the cross country championship in 1937 and was third in 1933, third in 1934 and second in 1936.   She was a counting member of the Scottish team in the international against England.   On the track she wan many handicap prizes and was second in the SWAAA 880 in 1936 with several SWAAA medley relay championship medals.   Read her full profile .

Barbara Tait (Edinburgh 16.02.1939) Starting at the age of 17 Barbara won the SWAAA Mile title five times in succession.   She dominated the sport for that spell winning East v West matches and invitation  events at Sports and Highland Games over the Mile and 880 yards events setting several Scottish records.   A good cross-country runner too although she never won the National title, Barbara emigrated to Australia in 1962.      Read Barbara’s full profile.

Shona Tait  (Queensferry HS, Edinburgh Southern)   ran distances between 800m and 5000m between 1977 and 1981 with best times of 2:16.8 (800), 4:46.5 (1500), and 10:31.2 (3000m).    

Marjorie Thoms (Edinburgh, London Olympiades, 17.05.53) was a good marathon runner between 1981 and 1988 starting with 3:06:32 in 1981 which placed her seventh in Scotland and a best time of 3:02:08.   

Celia Thompson  (Shettleston, Glasgow, 6.12.57) was a good and highly respected middle distance runner between 1977 and 1989.   With best times of 2:12.5 (800m), 4:35.08 (1500m) and 10:20.9 (3000m) she was ranked at Scottish national level 12 times.   Celia also ran cross-country but track was her forte.   

Carol-Ann Thomson  –  see Carol-Ann Bartley

Fiona Thompson (Central AC,  Thames Valley Harriers, 15.7.1986). Personal Bests: 1500m 4.28.74; 3000m 10.09.1; 5000m 17.27.91. Fiona was a valuable team member who contributed to many Central AC successes: three Senior National XC titles (her best placing was 6^th); five wins in the Scottish XC Relay; and three victories in the Scottish Road Relay. Fiona was third in the 2014 East District cross-country. Fiona Thompson raced for Scotland twice in the Leeds 10k including 2013, when she finished 5^th (second Scot). In the 2015 Home Countries International XC, she was second Scot.

Jan Thomson (Carnegie, Pitreavie) was a road and marathon runner who was twice ranked for the marathon with times of 3:10:53 in 1993, and 3:07:32 in 1994.

Jan Thomson (Lochgelly and District, Dunfermline and West Fife, 9 July, 1979) ran principally 1500m and 3000m on the track where she was ranked nationally between 1996 and 1999.   4:44.05 (1500) and 10:36.2 (3000m) were her best times.   

Trudi Thomson (Pitreavie, 18.01.59)   Trudi was a marathon runner first and foremost although she ran in other events at times – eg she has times for 3000m and 5,000.   She had a best time of 2:38:23 which she ran in 1995.   Competitive she ran in the World marathon Championship in 1995 when she finished 22nd, and in the. Scottish championships she was first in 1992 and again in 2001.   Not content with that she took to ultra marathon running and enjoyed great success there too, winning the Two Bridges race three times, and competing in 50,000m, 100,000m and 24 hour races.   She was selected to run for GB over the 100K distance.   She has also run shorter distances such as the 10K and half marathon and is the only woman ever to have run in the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay.   You really must   read her full profile

Katherine Todd (Loudon Runners, Kilmarnock, 21.07.50) first appeared on the national scene at the age of 36 when she ran a marathon in 3:07:44 ranking her 17th in Scotland.   Kate just went higher and higher in the rankings every year when she was ranked 13th, 12th, 10th and 10th in successive years with a personal best time of 3:10:05 in 1998 .   Competitively she was second in the Scottish marathon championship in 1993. In the International ultra-distance classic Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km, Kate was second woman to finish in 1996 and 1997 – and first Scot both times.

Lynn Todd  (Grangemouth Olympiads, Pitreavie, 13.11.58) was a 1500m specialist with a personal best of 4:50.9 in 1972 which placed her eleventh fastest in Scotland for the year.   She also had a 3000m best of 11:00.01.

Elizabeth Trotter (Smithycroft School, Victoria Park, Glasgow AC, 20.01.60) was a well known and popular runner who specialised on the track in the 3000m with 1500 as a subsidiary event.   Bests for these events were 10:08.57 and 4:57.22 respectively.   It was surprising that she never won any medal at SWAAA championships.   A very good cross-country runner she was a top 5 finisher in the senior age group and second in the Intermediate Championships in 1976/77 after a good career in the younger age groups. In the 1979 Scottish Championships, when she was 5^th, Glasgow AC won the team title. Elizabeth Trotter ran in three International cross-country matches for Scotland, including the 1979 World Cross; and the 1980 Home Countries fixture at Runcorn, when she finished third Scot and her team lost to England and Ireland but beat Wales and Northern Ireland.

Elspeth Turner ( (Strathclyde U, Glasgow, Alabama University (USA), Horsham Blue Star, 18.03.65) was an excellent athlete, a good club member and a popular member of the athletics community.   As a member of Glasgow AC she ran well on the track, on the road and over the country before travelling on a scholarship to Alabama University.   Returning to the UK she married Tony Linford and continued her running south of the border.   Best times of 2:13.6 (800m), 4:28.32 (1500m), 9:10.6 (3000m), 16:11.09 (5000m), 33:05.43 (10,000m), and 2:58:06 (Marathon) indicate the quality she brought to the sport. 

Vicki E. Vaughan (Dundee HS, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, Pitreavie, Oxford University, 25.01.68) was a stylish and talented runner, a member of the British Milers Club and a good track and country athlete.   On the track she had best times of 2:16.93 (800m), 2:57.1 (1000m) , 4:26.28 (1500m) and 10:07.12 (3000m).    Also a good cross-country runner since she was in the Under 13 age group and won the Scottish championships she had come up through the age groups all the way to senior athlete where she ran for the Scotland team.  For the record, Vicki won the national U13 cross-country title in 1980 and 1981 running for Dundee Hawkhill, was third in the U15’s in 1983 in a Pitreavie AC team,  and in 1984 was 11th Intermediate, and 16th senior in 1986 (missing years results not available.)   She continued as a cross-country runner (in 1987 she was 5th senior) and latterly turned to road running where she was third in the Scottish half marathon championship at Dunfermline in 1992. Vicki Vaughan ran two cross-country Internationals: first Scot v England, Wales and Belgium in 1981; 3^rd Scot in 1991 when Scotland lost to Kenya but beat Australia. On the track she ran for Scotland in an Indoor 3000m v Norway and Denmark in 1992 and finished third.  

Carol Vettraino (Dundee Hawkhill, Harriers,  16.10.77) was a good middle distance runner from the Dundee club who specialised in the 1500m on the track.   With a best of 4;44.3 for the distance she was ranked sixth, fourth and sixth again in consecutive years (1991, ’92 and ’94) for the event. and 20th in the 3000m in 1994 in 10:20.38.   Carol also ran over the country where she was a valuable team member.

Elspeth Turner

Steve Taylor (centre) taking over from Dennis Whiting in 1961 with Graham Everett (Shettleston) walking in from the right.

In his Aberdeen AAC reminiscences book “We have to catch the ferry”, Steve Taylor (former Scottish 3 Miles Champion and an International athlete on track and cross-country) wrote:

“A popular event at this time, which marked the end of the cross-country season, was the Perth Strathtay Road Relays, in the format of a 4 x 1.5 miles event. Traditionally, most of Scotland’s leading clubs participated and members of the International Cross-Country team used it as a warm-up for the forthcoming international fixture. The 1962 edition was no exception, as the results of the race illustrated. Alastair Wood and Calum Laing tied for the fastest lap time with a new course record of 6 minutes 47 seconds; with Steve Taylor and Graham Everett of Shettleston Harriers tying for 2^nd fastest. The team race was a further triumph for the Aberdeen club, beating most of Scotland’s top clubs in a time no less than 53 seconds inside the old record. Such events, which provided the backbone of the sport, are sadly rare nowadays.”

“1965. The ever-popular Perth North Inch Relays (now 4 x 3 Miles) attracted all of the top teams eager to win this prestigious event. Aberdeen AAC, holders of the course record, on this occasion were beaten into 2^nd place by a young Victoria Park AAC team from Glasgow, led by Hugh Barrow, at the time hailed as one of Britain’s top middle-distance prospects. Aberdeen, however, had the consolation of returning the fastest and third-fastest lap times, through Alastair Wood (14.20) and Steve Taylor (14.30). Peter Duffy (15.05) and Graham Reid (15.30) completed the Aberdeen quartet.”

“1967: 18^th March. The Perth Strathtay North Inch Relay continued to attract top clubs to the 4 x 3 miles event and, predictably, Edinburgh University continued their dominance by winning the event in the fast time of 57 minutes 12 seconds. Yet again, it was Aberdeen AAC who were their closest challengers, and a lap record by Mel Edwards, backed up by solid runs from Bill Ewing, Don Ritchie and Ian Mackenzie, saw the Aberdeen club come within 3 seconds of victory.”

“1968: 16^th March. After that pulsating contest with Edinburgh University in the Scottish National XC Championships (EU beat AAAC to the team title by one point), the two rivals met again in the annual Perth Strathtay 4 x 3 miles road relay. Seeking revenge for their narrow defeat, the Aberdeen quartet of Don Ritchie, Bill Ewing, Steve Taylor and Joe Clare dominated the race from the outset, winning by 400 yards from Victoria Park AAC.”

“1969. The Perth Strathtay 4×3 miles road relay trophy came to Aberdeen AAC again, with the club winning in a time of 58 minutes 37 seconds, ahead of Edinburgh Southern Harriers, with Springburn Harriers in 3^rd place. The Aberdeen club completed a ‘double’, with the Youth team being victors in their race.”

Colin Youngson added: “I believe that, probably for Aberdeen University Hare & Hounds in the late 1960s, I did race the North Inch Relays at least once but can find no trace of the result – just vague memories of an excellent setting for a competitive, fairly small event. The River Tay rolls past a wide expanse of parkland with tall trees; and the route follows narrow tarmac paths. Many years later, I ran a 10k race which started and finished on the Inches, with a circuit of Perth roads in between.”

Below: Start of the North Inch Relays in 1967 with Hugh Barrow and Craig Douglas on the right in the picture and Shettleston’s Les Meneely and Henry Summerhill on the infield.

The following comments were added to the profile of Alastair as an athlete written by Colin YOungson and containing Alastair’s own comments on his running career in reply to the questionnaire.   Alastair Hay was a very good athlete indeed as was evident right from his time as a pupil at Balfron High School.    The school has a reputation for producing top class athletes – note Mike Hildrey, Victoria Park AAC, Scottish international sprinter in the 1960’s known as The Balfrom Bullet, Graeme Reid, Clydesdale Harriers, who won the Scottish Senior Men’s Cross-Country Championship in 2003 just six years before Alastair won the first of his tow titles.   Alastair was ranked in Scottish Athletics every year from 2002 as a 17 year old to 2022 covering 800m. 1500, Mile, 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m finishing in the top 10 Scots no fewer than 33 times.   At Scottish Championship level he won the 1500m in 2010 and the 3000m in 2018 with second places for the 1500m in 2012, the 5000m in 20in 2015 and 2021 and had thirds in 1500m in 2007 and 5000 in 2017.    His top achievement was qualifying for and running in the 1500m for Scotland in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.   Cross-Country he won the senior championship in 2008/09 and 2009/10, and was third in 2010/11, and  as an Under 20 he won it in 2005/06.

A quite remarkable athlete who was not slow to praise those who helped him along the way – see his replies to the questionaire below.   Now read Colin’s profile.

Scottish Athletics statistician Arnold Black posted:

 “ATHLETE OF THE DAY – ALASTAIR HAY

 Central AC’s Alastair Hay won the 1500m title in 2010, the 5000m in 2018 but won his first senior titles over the country with 5 Scottish championship wins. He is seen 2nd from right in the 2007 1500m championship, flanked (l to r) by Derek and Scott Hawkins, Ross Toole and winner Collis Birmingham. He represented Scotland over 1500m at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and has career bests of 1:50.37 (800m), 3:38.9 (1500m), 4:01.67 (1M), 8:07.84 (3000), 14:07.81 (5000) and 30:20.74 (10,000), 30:06 (10k) and 68:15 (HM).”

 Alastair HAY (7.09.85) Central AC, Thames Valley

2002-2020 in Scottish lists

Championship Record:

Commonwealth Games 2010 1500 (12th).

Scottish: 1st 1500 2010, 1st 5000 2018

2nd 1500 2012, 2nd 5000 2015,

3rd 1500 2007, 2008, 3rd 5000 2017

East District: 1500 gold in 2013

10 Senior Track Internationals

2008 at Oordegem, Belgium. Memorial Leon Buyle (Flanders Cup Meeting) 3000m 17th 8.30.77,

(shortly after 1500m individual 3.46.57 running for Central AC at the same meet).

2009 at Oordegem, Belgium. Memorial Leon Buyle 1500m 4th 3.41.91.

2009 at St Mary’s Classic, London. 1500m 2nd 3.45.63.

2009 at Loughborough v 5 other teams. 3000m 4^th 8:21.25

2009 at Grangemouth v England, Ireland, Ethiopia 3000m 2^nd 8:23.83

2010 at Loughborough v England, Wales and two other teams 1500m 1^st 3:45.90

2010 at Oordegem, Belgium. International Flanders Meeting (June). 1500m 1st 3.42.66.

2010 at Oordegem, Belgium. Flanders Cup International (July). 1500m 7th 3.41.21.

2010 at New Delhi, India. Commonwealth Games 1500m 12th 3:44.61

2019 at Loughborough v England, Wales and three other teams 3000m 5^th 8:16.53

Five Cross-Country Internationals

2006 at Termonfeckin (Ireland) v Russia, USA, Ireland, Wales, South Africa

9^th (first Scot). Scotland third team behind Russia and USA.

2007 at San Vittore Olona, Italy. Cinque Mulini cross-country.

2009 at Bangor, Wales v England and Wales. Second (first Scot). Team second to England.

2013 at Llandeilo, Wales v England and Wales. Fifth (first Scot). Team second to England.

2019 at Dundonald, Northern Ireland. IAAF International 12th.

One Road Running International

2018 at Armagh (Northern Ireland) 5km Road v Wales, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, USA and Belgium. Third Scot; team fourth.

Two Junior Cross-Country Internationals 2006-2007

Celtic Nations

2006 at Dublin: under-23 v Ireland and Wales. 6^th (third counter) Scotland second to Ireland.

2007 at Belfast: under-23 v Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Third (and second Scot. Scotland won team race.

One Junior Hill International

2001 at Black Forest, Germany. Internationale Schwartzwald-Jugendspiele (uphill-only race).

11th (Scottish team third – Scott Fraser and Iain Donnan).

Alastair Hay has been a truly excellent team man for Central AC.

Scottish National Cross-Country Championships

Junior National individual Bronze in 2004; 2006 individual Gold, team silver.

Senior National: 2007 individual Bronze; 2008 team Silver (8^th); 2009 individual Gold, team silver; 2010 individual Gold, team Bronze; 2011 Bronze, team Gold; 2013 team Gold (7^th); 2014 team Gold (6^th); 2015 team Gold (6^th); 2017 team Gold (6^th); 2018 team Gold (5^th); 2019 team Gold (8^th); 2020 team Gold (6^th).

Scottish Short Course Cross Country

Individual Gold in 2007, 2008 and 2014; Silver in 2016; Bronze in 2009.

Team: Gold in 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018; Silver in 2008, 2009.

 East District XC:

Alastair was Junior Champion in 2005-6, when Central won team gold; Senior Champion in 2008, 2010 and 2011 (Central won the team title in each of these years).

 Inter-District XC Championships

Under-17: Individual Silver 2003.

Senior: Individual Gold 2006 (for Scottish Students) and 2009 (for East); Individual Silver in 2007 (Scottish Students) and 2008 (East).

Scottish Cross-Country Relays

2003 Team Gold in Young Athletes event.

Senior Relays: team medals as follows: Silver in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010; Gold in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020.

Scottish Road Relays

Team Gold in 2008, 2013; Silver in 2005, 2009, 2010.

Scottish 10k Road Championships

Individual Bronze in 2015 and 2019.Team Gold in 2015, 2016 (4^th), 2019. Team Silver in 2018 (4^th).

                                    Alastair Hay (217) and Darren Gauson (2000) in the 2018 Scottish 1500m, which Alastair won.

QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME: Alastair Hay

CLUBs: Central Athletics Club and formerly Thames Valley Harriers and Queen Margaret University

DATE OF BIRTH: 07/09/1985

OCCUPATION: Physiotherapist

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?

My Dad started running as a means of getting fit initially and then got into running 10ks, half marathons & marathons. I always remember being incredibly proud of him running in all these different events and I can see now that’s where my initial interest came from. I remember doing the odd fun run at some of these events and I suppose it grew from there.

Through his work my Dad then met Tony Waterhouse (Ross Houston’s now father-in-law) who was involved with our local club (Central Athletics Club) and he suggested that we go along and try the club nights out. I fondly remember going along for the first few times to the cinder track at Stirling University and being coached by the likes of Shona Malcolm and John MacDonald. From various junior groups at Central I then joined the middle/long distance group which was coached by Keith Whitelam at the time. Keith was really the first person who got me interested in middle/long distance events as prior to that I had been trying a bit of everything (e.g. high jump, shot put 200m, 800m). When Keith then moved away Derek (Easton) volunteered to take on the coaching of the group. Derek has then coached me for my entire senior career. Derek really stoked my interest in competitive middle distance running and fostered a great team spirit which is probably why I’ve stuck at it for so long.

HAS ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HAD A MARKED INFLUENCE ON YOUR ATTITUDE OR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE?

I’ve been very lucky over the years to train at Central with such a great group of individuals and to have someone like Derek Easton to lead the group. With the close proximity to the University of Stirling I’ve trained with a lot of different people over the years and this helps to keep things interesting. I’d say it’s been a culmination of people including Andrew Butchart, Robert Russell, Lewis/Morag Millar, Ross Houston, Dale Colley, Scott MacDonald, Michael Wright, Kris MacKay, Mark Pollard, Alex Hendry and Sean Reilly to name but a few.

The team ethos, particularly towards cross-country and road relays, has always kept me motivated.

WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET OUT OF THE SPORT?

I do just enjoy the physical feeling of running and the fact that it can take you to amazing places. I love the element of escapism running offers – that you can run in beautiful places that you may never come across if you weren’t running.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BEST EVER PERFORMANCE OR PERFORMANCES?

Probably qualifying for the 2010 Commonwealth games. My Dad had passed away suddenly at the beginning of 2010 and that obviously made it an extremely difficult year. I look back and like to think those performances were for him.

YOUR WORST?

The 1500m final of Commonwealth Games 2010. I’d been unwell in the days leading up to the final. However, I made some tactical mistakes during the race which left me in the wrong position with 400m to go.

WHAT UNFULFILLED AMBITIONS DO YOU HAVE?

I’d have loved to run for Great Britain, compete at another major track championships and run sub-4 minutes for the mile – there’s still something special about that time that most people even outwith running can relate to.

OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES?

Fair weather cyclist.

WHAT DOES RUNNING BRING YOU THAT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE WANTED TO MISS?

Running has allowed me to meet some fantastic people and allowed me to travel to some amazing places and for that I’m truly grateful.

CAN YOU GIVE SOME DETAILS OF YOUR TRAINING?

Current training is a bit different from at my peak due to family and work commitments but I still run 60-80 miles per week including one interval session, hills and long run. At my peak I was probably running 70-100 miles per week in the winter with 2-3 interval sessions per week plus a long run.

Colin Youngson has had a look at Violet Blair’s career as an endurance runner of quality with superb running over the country, on the road and particularly on the track.   First we have the basic facts which are impressive, and then we have her replies to the questionnaire.

Violet B. Hope (born 4.11.56), Clubs:  Central Region, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Southern Harriers/Edinburgh Woollen Mill, became Violet Blair in 1979 when she married Bill Blair who went on to be Scottish Staff Coach for 5000/10000m.

She appeared in the Scottish Athletics ranking lists no fewer than 40 times between 1976-1992.

Personal Bests:

800: 2.07.72, 1984

1500: 4.14.47, 1983

One Mile: 4.40.69, 

3000m: 9.19.4, 1983

10 miles 56.59, 1988

Half Marathon 79.54

Championship Record:

Scottish: 1st 1500m 1980 and 1983, 3rd 1500m 1979, 3rd 3000m 1984.

East District: 1^st 1500m 1979, 1982 and 1987

                                                                                    Violet in full stride, third from the left

Seven Scottish Track International Appearances:

1979 at Cwmbran v Wales and Israel 3000m 2nd 9:45.06. Scotland won.

1980 at Copenhagen v Denmark and Ireland 1500m 6th 4:28.9.

1983 at Birmingham v England 1500m 5th 4:27.46.

1983 at Edinburgh v Iceland, Israel and Northern Ireland 1500m 2nd 4:22.92. Scotland won.

1984 at Budapest v Hungary 1500m 2nd 4:25.91. Scotland won.

1984 at Birmingham v England, Yugoslavia and Wales 1500m 4^th ex 8 4:23.41.

1987 at Edinburgh v Ireland and Wales 1500m 5th 4:35.23. Scotland won.

Four Scottish Cross-Country Internationals 1978-81

1978 IAAF World Cross at Glasgow

1978 at Barry v England, Ireland and Wales. 11^th (Second Scot).

1979 IAAF World Cross 1979 at Limerick

1979 at Glasgow, Home Countries International 17th

1981 at Mallusk, NI v England, Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 22^nd (Third Scot).

Scottish National Cross-Country Championships:

1979: 4^th; Edinburgh Southern Harriers team silver.

1980 16^th Lanark Race Course (dreadful snow/icy conditions) ESH team silver

1981: 9^TH ESH won

1983: 6^th; ESH team silver.

1985 6^th ESH won

1987: 10^th; Edinburgh Woollen Mill team gold

1991: 6^th; team silver.

1992 16^th EWM won

Scottish Cross-Country Relay:

1984: ESH silver. 5^th fastest leg

1988 ESH 3^rd (2^nd fastest leg despite being pregnant)

1992: EWM team gold.

Scottish Road Relay:

1976: ESH finished third, with Violet Hope second-fastest overall.

1981: ESH were fourth but Violet set the fastest time of the day.

1986: EWM were second, with Violet third-fastest overall.

 East District Cross-Country

1979: Individual silver for Violet Hope. ESH team gold.

1980: Cupar – Individual gold for Violet Blair. ESH team gold.

1981: Dundee – Individual silver behind Elizabeth Lynch (later Liz McColgan).

1987: Individual silver.

Inter-District Cross-Country Championships:

1981-2 Individual bronze behind Liz Lynch (McColgan) and Kathryn Mearns. East (Violet’s team) beat West.

 Veteran Athletics:

1992 European Masters Championships – Kristiansand Norway: 1^st 1500m

2002 British Veterans: 4^th 800M

2003 British Veterans: 3^rd 800M

2004 Scottish Veterans: 1^st 800M

2007 Scottish Veterans: 1^st 800M

         British Veterans: 2^nd 800M

2008 Scottish Veterans: 2^nd 800M

          British Veterans: 2^nd 800M

                                                                                               Violet third from the left

QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME: Violet Blair

CLUBs:  Grangemouth Olympiads, Central Region, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Southern

DATE OF BIRTH: 4.11.56

OCCUPATION:  Maths teacher then system designer with Scottish Widows

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?

When I was in 5^th year at school, I went along to Grangemouth Stadium with a friend who wanted to get fit. She was a Scottish International Table tennis player. She only went for a few weeks but I joined Bob Crawford’s group and started doing sprints and long jump. I then joined Grangemouth Olympiads and started competing for them in SNWL and Motorway league. Bob Crawford entered me and took me to my first cross-country and that was the start. I then joined John Erskine ‘s middle distance group which included Terry Young and Alex Bryce. When I went to University, I joined the Hare and Hounds and I would train with John’s group in holidays

 HAS ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HAD A MARKED INFLUENCE ON YOUR ATTITUDE OR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE?

When I joined Edinburgh Southern Harriers I trained with Bill Walker and saw how hard his track athletes trained – people like Paul Forbes and Peter Hoffman. I started keeping a training diary and planning what races I wanted to run and when. When I went to Uni, I rolled up at Freshers Sports Fair and asked to join the Hare and Hounds. They were stunned, because they didn’t have a Women’s team. I became the first Ladies’ Captain – and now Edinburgh Uni Ladies Hare and Hounds team are among the best in the country.

 WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET OUT OF THE SPORT? 

Fun and friendship. Keeping fit. Fresh air, being outside and, during the pandemic, a means of keeping sane.

 WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BEST EVER PERFORMANCE OR PERFORMANCES?

My best performance was breaking the Scottish Native Record for 1500m at the Scottish Championships. My 56.59 for 10 miles pleased me as well because I wasn’t a fan of long distances.

 YOUR WORST?

My run at the Olympic Trials in 1984. I had been training well but unfortunately went down with a stomach bug a couple of days before Gateshead. I finished 12^th in 4.18.12.  I was really disappointed because I had been looking for a PB.

 WHAT UNFULFILLED AMBITIONS DO YOU HAVE?

None really in athletics. I really loved my time in athletics. Yes, I would have loved to have made a Commonwealth Games team but it wasn’t to be.

 OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES?

I retired from working and took up golf. I am gradually whittling down my handicap. I play for my club in the Midlothian ladies league. An outlet for my competitiveness.

 WHAT DOES RUNNING BRING YOU THAT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE WANTED TO MISS?

Travelling. Running in all countries of the UK and abroad. I still miss the excitement of laying out my kit and packing my bag ready to travel to a race. Even spending hours on a bus going up and back to UK Women’s Leagues was fun. Meeting lots of interesting people and making new friends. European Clubs Cross Country champs were always really good fun. The camaraderie of a hard training session. Chatting on a long Sunday run along the canal.

 CAN YOU GIVE SOME DETAILS OF YOUR TRAINING?

I used to average about 60 miles a week in the winter. A 10 miler on a Sunday morning, track sessions on Tues/Thurs/Sat. One fast 4 mile run usually on a Friday. 2 circuits and a bounding session. My favourite track session was 10x400m with a minute recovery.

Rhona Auckland had a short but successful running career which peaked marvellously in 2014 and 2015.

Her Power of 10 profile states that she started racing (for the Banchory Stonehaven club, near Aberdeen) as an under-15 in 2007. By 2009 (under-17) she was taking part in the Scottish, East District and Great Edinburgh International XC events, as well as winning the South Grampian Schools XC and finishing fourth in the Scottish Schools 3000m.

Coached by Joyce and Ken Hogg (in Aberdeen), in her first year as an under-20 in 2010, Rhona won the Scottish Inter-District XC Championships and ran well in British Cross-Country Trials. On the track, she ran for Scotland in the Celtic Games 3000m, which she won; and also finished first in the Scottish Schools 3000m.

In 2011, Rhona Auckland won for Scotland in the Celtic Nations Cross-Country; and was second under-20 in the Celtic Cup 3000m.

2012 showed further improvement: now an Edinburgh University student, Rhona won: Scottish Students Cross-Country; Home Countries International XC; Scottish Senior National 4k XC; and ran for Britain at Budapest in the European Cross-Country Championships. She also won the Scottish under-20 3000m.

As an under-23 in 2013, Rhona’s impressive success continued with victories in: Scottish XC Championships; the Home Countries International; Scottish Universities 3000m; British Universities 10,000m. For Britain, she finished 7^th in the European XC at Belgrade; and 9^th in the European 10,000m in Tampere, Finland.

In 2014, although new personal bests for 5000m and 10,000m were set, Rhona Auckland’s finest achievements were in cross-country. In February, she won the Scottish Senior National Cross-Country Championships. In November, the Scottish Senior National Short Course Cross-Country. Then, in December, came the crowning moment: a tremendous televised victory, at Samokov, Bulgaria, in the under-23 European Cross-Country Championships.

Rhona’s coaches, Joyce and Ken Hogg, wrote later “Rhona Auckland’s progress was excellent, from competing for GB, at European Junior Cross Country to European U23 Cross Country and Track and Field Championships, to Senior European Cup 10,000m and World Cross Country Championships. The excitement of being present, when she won the European U23 Cross Country Championships, and the Silver Medal at the European U23 10,000m Championships, was incredible.”

Sadly, due to injury problems, 2015, so far, has been Rhona Auckland’s last big year in Athletics. She set new personal bests for: 3000m (9.18.3); 5000m (15.27.6); 10,000m (32.22.79); and 10 miles on the road (56.12). 

Rhona set one pb with 7th in the 5000m at the IAAF Diamond League Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at Olympic Park, London; and another pb when second in the 10,000m at the European Athletics under-23 Championship in Tallinn, Estonia. She was 19th in the World Cross-Country Championships at Guiyang, China. 

 When she went to America to further her studies, she raced cross-country (in Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin and Nevada) for New Mexico University, earning “All-American honors” when her NMU team ‘The Lobos’ won the NCAA Cross-Country Championships. 

On her return from America, she decided to take a break from competitive running to concentrate on her career and she now enjoys running socially. 

Fraser Clyne (former GB marathon international) says: “Rhona is a wonderful athlete with a great personality.” In May 2016, he wrote the following article for the Aberdeen Evening Express:

“North east distance runner Rhona Auckland has admitted defeat in her efforts to recover fitness in time to launch a bid for a place on Team GB at this summer’s Rio Olympic Games.
The 22 year-old Banchory Stonehaven AC competitor is currently based at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and enjoyed success last autumn when helping her side win the prestigious US collegiate cross country team title.
This came after an excellent summer track season when Auckland was silver medallist in the 10,000 metres at the European under-23 championships in Estonia where she set her best time of 32min 22.79secs.
That performance ranked her third in Britain and was also just seven secs outside the Rio qualifying standard.
Auckland also had selection aspirations over 5,000m after setting her best time of 15:27.60 in a Diamond League meeting at London’s Olympic stadium last July. That was the fourth quickest by a Briton in 2015 and was a fraction over three secs outside the Rio standard.
Auckland hoped to kick on with her training in the spring before returning to Britain for the UK Olympic trial at Highgate, London this month, but injury has scuppered her plans and put her Olympic dream on hold for the time being.
She was sidelined for more than three months and has only recently returned to running training, although she was able to do a large amount of gym work and aqua jogging in a bid to maintain some core fitness.
Auckland put herself to the test by competing in the 5,000m in the Brian Clay invitational meeting at Azusa, California last month where she clocked what was, for her, a modest time of 17:00.65.
She said: “The race, as I’m sure you can appreciate, was very disappointing. I knew I was far from being in peak shape but with the amount of effort I’ve put into the last three months, I’d really hoped I’d be at least in the low 16 mins range.
“It basically highlighted that chasing the qualifying standard in an unrealistic time frame was silly, but I’m glad I gave it a shot.  
“I’ve made the hard decision to step back, stop worrying about racing and rediscover my love of running naturally.  
“Forcing it isn’t working and now that the time pressure is off, I’m going to go back to basics and build up for the next cross-country season.
So, I have plenty of time to do this smartly, and would like to travel a little, doing some fun road races.  But for now, I’m scaling back.”

(Rhona Auckland emailed Fraser Clyne in 2017 and 2019:

Sept 2017

“Life with me has been good. I graduated from New Mexico in May and moved to Boulder in July to pursue a job in Health Education.  I joined a club level running group out here and have been enjoying getting back into running in a low-key and social manner. Beginning to feel fitter but lots of work to do and am just enjoying not taking it too seriously! My plan is to move back to the UK next summer.”

August 2019

“I’m based in London, working in research for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Really enjoying city life (which has surprised me!)  Running lots – but as my commute to work or for fun with old running pals; nothing too serious, but really enjoying it!”)

After the Covid pandemic ends, Rhona Auckland surely has several years to find again, if she wishes, the world-class racing form that she reached in her early 20s.