IAAF WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS: BELLAHOUSTON PARK 1978

 

Colin Shields wrote: “Scotland’s team was depleted when Ian Stewart, who had finished second in the English National, caught ‘flu and had to drop out, joining Rees Ward, who had earlier withdrawn due to injury. On race day, the weather deteriorated badly and appalling conditions of rain, hail and sleet were blown by strong winds horizontally into the faces of runners and spectators. Nat Muir (in seventh place) received the Walter Lawn Memorial Trophy as the first Scot to finish.

In ‘The Scotsman’, Sandy Sutherland wrote an article with the headline TREACY ‘SHELTERS’ FOR TITLE. Perhaps competitors in the World Cross-Country championships could be thankful that the snow held off until three hours after the finish, for the elements hurled just about everything else at them in Glasgow, on Saturday 25th of March 1978.

The mud in Bellahouston Park was knee-deep in places and, as there were no hippotomi around, few, if any of the field, enjoyed it.  But the winners were worthy of the name and never deserved their accolades more.

In these conditions it was all the more surprising to see France taking the senior men’s team title, with the United States second and England only third. (The distance raced was 12.3 km.)

Scotland, with little back-up for their first three, were ninth (out of 20 nations), although reserve Frank Clement did well to be fourth finisher.

John Treacy, from Waterford, added lustre to the Irish distance running tradition by giving them their first success since Tim Smythe at Baldoyle in 1931. Treacy, the man the Americans tipped on Friday, is only 20 and is a student at Providence College, Rhode Island.

The young Irishman had hardly raced over the country at all after finishing second to the Kenyan, Henry Rono, in the American National Collegiate championship in November.

Since then, Treacy has been running indoors on the boards – he recorded 13 minutes 10 seconds for three miles only a fortnight ago – and how well he made the transition. He made shrewd use of his rivals, Alexander Antipov (USSR) and Karel Lismont (Belgium), for shelter after the trio had dropped the field at the end of two laps.

“I didn’t mind the rain,” said Treacy, “but I hated the wind.”

Behind him, reputations were being made and broken. Guy Arbogast (aged 21), an ‘unknown’ American, was fifth just behind England’s Tony Simmons and Scotland’s Nat Muir (aged 20), after a mid-race sag, came back strongly for seventh.

Andy McKean had his best world championship, finishing 19th and ahead of Scottish champion Allister Hutton, who is never happy in mud. Hutton could still be satisfied with 24th, for English champion Bernie Ford was 62nd and Carlos Lopez (Portugal) and Jos Hermens (Netherlands) failed to finish. (Other Scottish counters were: Frank Clement 67th, Ian Gilmour 84th and John Graham 90th.159 finished.)

Grete Waitz gave Norway her first success (over 4.728 km) when she won the women’s race by a record margin of nearly 200 metres. (By 1983, she had won the event five times.) The slight blonde flitted up the two steep inclines as if they hardly mattered, to finish exactly half a minute ahead of world indoor 1500m record holder Natalia Marasescu, who led home Romania to the team prize.

They were just ahead of America, for whom Julie Shea (aged 17) had a remarkable race to finish fourth. Joyce Smith (aged 40) was first British runner in ninth place and Judith Shepherd, the first Scot in 22nd, was only three places behind the Russian double Olympic champion, Tatyana Kazankina.

Fiona McQueen, the Scottish Intermediate champion, justified her selection as third Scottish finisher in 79th place (97 finished). [Second Scot (69th) was Margaret Coomber (nee MacSherry) who had been first Scot back in 1969 at Clydebank.]

Mick Morton, from Blackburn, upheld the English cross-country tradition by winning the Junior event (over 7.036 km), and led his team to the closest of wins, on the count-back from Canada. Ian Brown, from Falkirk, was first Scot in 17th place (4th Briton). 90 finished.”

In ‘The Glasgow Herald’, Ron Marshall was even more complimentary about the first Scot in the senior race: “Nat Muir, in his first world championship as a senior, was the day’s outstanding Scot in any of the three races. For a spell, he steered himself into fourth place after working his way from about 20th place in the early stages. But the 20-year-old from Salsburgh, Lanarkshire, was unable to sustain the challenge and slipped to seventh place by the finish, a tremendous performance in such company and one likely to be improved in the next couple of years.”

 

Colin Youngson recalls: “On the 4th of March 1978, the course for the World Cross was tried out during the Scottish National Cross-Country Championships. The weather was good and the route included just a few muddy patches and a couple of hills on each lap. My Edinburgh Southern Harriers clubmate, Allister Hutton, won; and I was second ESH counter, moving through from 20th to 13th, the highest placing I ever got in this classic. On the 25th of March, I was a fascinated spectator when the World Cross was held on the same course, which by now was horribly muddy. John Treacy of Eire, a well-respected ‘mudlark’, won (by three seconds) in a sprint finish through slippery mire against a Russian. (He retained his title in 1979 at Limerick, Ireland.)

Even onlookers were drenched and I felt really sorry for the competitors, battling against top-class opponents and ghastly weather. We were all pleased that Treacy won and that Nat ran so well. What I remember clearly is just how immensely hard Andy McKean was obviously trying; his was a truly heroic effort. Grete Waitz just eased away from her rivals and, in retrospect, I am very pleased that I had the opportunity to watch this superb, well-loved athlete at her cross-country best.”

(The World Cross Country Championships have a very detailed Wikipedia section, with complete results from 1978)

 

 

ICCU CHAMPIONSHIPS: CLYDEBANK 1969.

In his Centenary History of the SCCU, Colin Shields wrote:

“The International Cross Country Union Championships, for the first time since 1960, were staged in Scotland, and the Scottish Cross Country Union, in conjunction with Clydebank Town Council, staged them at Clydebank. A hilly, picturesque trail was laid out around Dalmuir Park and the adjacent golf course, that was acclaimed as the most testing course over which the championship had been held for a good number of years. Without any of the bad luck that had affected his performance in previous Senior international appearances, Ian McCafferty finished third for the best individual performance by a Scot since Jim Flockhart’s 1937 victory in Brussels. Always up with the leaders, he surprised everyone with his lion-hearted approach to the event, refusing to give way to anyone throughout the race, resisting every challenge to his forward position and finishing strongly to take the bronze medal ahead of England’s Mike Tagg, a future International champion. England won the team championship from France and Belgium, with New Zealand fourth ahead of Scotland in the field of 13 countries. Lachie Stewart (20th) was closely followed home by Fergus Murray (23rd) who made a remarkable comeback as third Scottish counter in a race where he had previously disappointed.”

 

In ‘The Scotsman’, Sandy Sutherland wrote an article with the headline “Roelants’ Wonderful Record”: “About 20 minutes before the start of the senior race at the International cross-country championships at Clydebank, I asked Tim Johnston of England who he thought was going to win. ‘Oh,’ he said, as though it was a foregone conclusion, ‘Roelants’ – and so it proved.

Only for one brief spell midway through the gruelling but amazingly dry 7 and a half miles was his supremacy threatened. Then Dick Taylor (England) took the lead. But Roelants, a superb judge of pace, soon overhauled him and strode confidently to his third win in this event – a wonderful record. (He won a fourth title in 1972.)

Saturday, if never before, served to prove what Ian McCafferty could achieve with the right guidance. With barely a major race behind him this season except on the boards, McCafferty handed out a lesson to some of the world’s finest runners, including Mike Tagg, the English National champion, whom he pipped in a thrilling finish.

His third place was the best by a Scot for a long time and I feel sure that had he challenged early, he could have pushed Taylor for second. Yet it is a pity that the main talking point among the spectators beforehand was whether he would turn up to run.

On the fine going, basic speed mattered more than usual and in the circumstances the home team did exceptionally well. Fergus Murray, only recently out of retirement, was well pleased with his 23rd, three behind Lachie Stewart, who is still not quite at his best by his own high standards.

Gareth Bryan-Jones, who came into the team as a reserve, was the fifth counter in 43rd position, seven behind Dick Wedlock, the Scottish champion, who was almost ‘out’ at the finish. Bill Mullet (54th) was sixth counter.

Surprisingly, flu victim Jim Alder, the Scots captain, started – only to have the bitter disappointment of being forced to retire. “Ah kidded masel’ that I was fit,” he said disgustedly afterwards. But even without him, the Scottish packing was sound enough to secure fifth place in the team ratings. Here, England were magnificent winners, with their sixth-counting runner as high as 17th.”

 (The finishing order was: England, France, Belgium, New Zealand and Scotland – thirteen countries took part, so Scotland were in front of Spain, Morocco, United States, Wales, Ireland, Tunisia, Northern Ireland and Canada.)

 Colin Youngson remembers spectating:

“Along with Aberdeen University Hare & Hounds team-mates, I travelled by mini-bus to Clydebank, relishing my first opportunity to watch this famous event. The programme was detailed and well-designed (featuring a photo of the SCCU President, Willie Diverty) and the pre-race atmosphere tense.

What do I remember from more than 50 years ago? How impressive the first two Senior Men were, racing (over 12 km) tactically, with powerful surges. After one lap, former Olympic Steeplechase gold medallist Gaston Roelants of Belgium, was fifty yards clear of Dick Taylor (England); after the second lap, Taylor was fifty yards clear of the Belgian! Third lap, Roelants had retaken the lead and was on the way to victory, eventually winning by 19 seconds, with Ian McCafferty third, a further 13 seconds back. The Scot was very impressive too, zooming up steep hills without apparent effort, and ‘easily’ outkicking Mike Tagg (by two seconds).

The Junior Men’s Championships (over 7 km)? Although 1968 winner John Bednarski (England – the silver medallist this time) fought hard, a tall slim dour figure ground him down impressively – future great, Dave Bedford, who went on to break the world record for 10,000m; and to become ICCU Senior Cross-Country Champion in 1971. David Gillanders of Scotland did well to finish ninth.

The Women’s race (over 4km) was a battle between USA and New Zealand, with the Americans having the edge. Doris Brown (USA) won the third of her five titles.”

 (The International Cross Country Championships have a fully detailed Wikipedia section, including complete results for every race from 1903 to 1972.)

 

 

Fiona McQueen

G

Fiona (8) leading Violet Blair.

Fiona McQueen was born on 10th February, 1961  and was a pupil at Hyndland Secondary School in Glasgow when she started running.   She joined Victoria Park AAC where she was coached by Ronnie Kane as part of a very good group which included Judith Shepherd and Lynne MacDougall.   Which one was Fiona?   She was the one asking all the questions – “Why are doing this session?”  ” What is this supposed to do?”   How will it help us?”   But Ronnie was a good coach and he always knew what he was doing.

At school her first Scottish Schools Championship medal was in 1976 when she won the Group A 1500m in 4:43.5 and this was followed a year later with a victory in the same event in Group B.   An out-and -out distance runner, she specialised in 1500m and 3000m on the track with some very good performances.   Her competitive record highlights on the track  include the following SWAAA Championship performances –

* 1st 3000m,  1981;   

*2nd 1500 ‘79;   2nd 3000m ‘78;   

* 3rd 1500m  ‘83;  3rd 3000 ’80.   

She was nationally ranked on the track 25 times between 1975 and 1984 at distances between 800m and 3000m, and was in the top three six times.   Competitively she was good enough to represent Scotland every year from 1977 to 1984 inclusive.   Usually in the 3000m, very often with clubmate Judith Shepherd as her companion, Fiona lined up for Scotland duty on the start line with Yvonne Murray, Andrea Everett and Barbara Harvie against Norway, Sweden, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands and Belgium.     

Her personal best times: 800m – 2:11.9,  1500m – 4:18.74,  Mile – 4:51.99, 3000m – 9:23.95. 

*

Good as she was on the track, Fiona was possibly better on the country where she also won titles and ran internationally for Scotland.   Starting early, she won the national Under 15 title in 1976 after being second in 1975 , and followed this by winning the Under 17 title twice (1977 and 1978).   ’77 was a good victory but ’78 was a superb run described by Colin Shields in the Athletics Weekly as follows:

This was her first run for the Scottish Senior team – and she was only 17 at the time.   Her more experienced Glasgow team mate Judith Shepherd led the team home in 22nd place with Margaret Coomber second Scot in 69th and Fiona was 79th, Janet Higgins 87th, Kerry Robinson 89th and Violet Hope 91st.   A promising debut, even if the match was held in Bellahouston Park.   

In 1979 she was up an age group and was a good third behind Judith and Kerry to be selected for the international on Greenpark Racecourse in Limerick, Ireland.   This time she was second Scot to finish with Judith 44th, Fiona was 57th.   The rivalry with Judith was probably a help to both of them – they ran together for Glasgow AC, they teamed up for the Scottish team over 3000m on the track and they both competed for Scotland over the country.   Judith usually won – but not always and Scotland was lucky to have that double act.   In 1980 she went up from third to second in the National – Christine McMeekin won that year, and Fiona was followed by Barbara Harvie. (Fiona and Barbara would run together for Scotland at 3000m on the track).   The international that year was at Longchamps in Paris.   Christine was first Scot this time in 19th, one stride ahead of England’s Ruth Smeeth, with Fiona second of our team in 73rd.   

There was a very strong field in the National Championships in 1972 with Christine Haskett, Liz Lynch, Jean Lorden, Barbara Harvie, Andrea Everett and more women running and Fiona finished in 10th and there was no international for her that year.   She made up for it the following year winning by 16 seconds.  Have a look at the quality of the top ten:

1st:   F McQueen;  2nd  K Mearns (Aberdeen);  3rd  J Lorden (ESH);  4th.  L McDougall (Glasgow);  5th A Ridley (Glasgow);  6.   V Blair (ESH);  7th.  S Crawford (Kilbarchan);  8th.  C Clark (Coventry);  9.  B Murray (B&H);  10.  J McColl.   Every one a high class runner.   There was no doubt about selection for the 1983 international selection.   It involved only a short trip down to Gateshead this year and this time she led the team home – albeit in 51st place, two places and one second up on Kathy Mearns.   Anglo-Scot Elise Lyon was third Scot in 67th and Jean Lorden the last team scorer in 77th.   Despite missing the National having won the District title quite comfortably,, Fiona was picked for the team and rewarded the faith of the selectors by finishing first Scot in 41st place, well clear of National champion Elise Lyon who was 77th.    There was a time difference there of 35 seconds.   

She competed in the summer of 1984, indeed she ran for Scotland against Hungary in Budapest in May that year, but her racing career was effectively over in that did not run in the National or in the SWAAA track championships again but it had been a wonderful career with success at all levels from Schools, through the age groups to senior with titles on all surfaces and Scottish selection all the way through.   And she was only 23 when she retired.     One of her friends from those days tells us that Fiona was a very clever girl and, although she did not take up a scholarship like Judith Shepherd did to the USA, she was heading for academic success at University.   

Fiona in second behind team mate Judith Shepherd

 

 

 

 

Stuart Hogg: and Football

Stuart during his time with Dundee United

We did Stuart’s athletics profile and pedigree two years ago but there was a gap in his profile.   That was his really serious involvement in football.   It was something that we always thought we’d return to – after all we covered John Freebairn’s time with Partick Thistle – but there was an excellent feature in the Aberdeen Evening Express in June 2021 which did just that.   The article can be found at 

//www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/donsnews/yvonne-murrays-medal-haul-to-impressing-jim-mclean-peterhead-fitness-coach-stuart-hogg-81-and-his-remarkable-career.     Written by Callum Law, we recommend you to read it.   

Athletics coaches have worked with other sports, we know that Allan Wells helped rugby clubs in England, Derek Ibbotson did some conditioning with football clubs and so on but Stuart was one of the first.   He did something different  with top clubs at the peak of their success and who was subsequently wooed by some of the best Scottish club managers to assist their teams to success.   The involvement has so far spanned 43 years with only a slight hiatus:  

1978-83  Rangers FC; 1983- 93  Dundee United FC;  1993- 2002  Aberdeen FC;  2016 to now Peterhead FC

What follows is based on the article mentioned above where there are also several very good photographs too.   

We quote from Law’s article: “Although he had worked with individual footballers earlier – such as Dunfermline’s Bert Paton – it was through his day job as an architect that Hogg first started working for a football club.   He was part of John Greig’s coaching staff at Rangers between 1978 and 1983.   Hogg explained: “I was friendly with Willie Mathieson and Willie Johnston (who were both from Fife), who played for Rangers.   “Willie Mathieson introduced me to John Greig, because I was working as an architect at that time.   John Greig was wanting an extension put on his kitchen and I became friendly with John through that and he was the one that started me at a club when he was Rangers manager.   He got the job and about two days after he phoned me and asked me to go to Rangers.    I went there part-time and was there for just over five years.”

Coming from an athletics background, Hogg says he had to pick up what was best for footballers as he went along.   In those days, he was the first specialist fitness coach within Scottish football who hadn’t come from a football background.   He added: “It was slightly out of my comfort zone, although I had worked with a few of the players already.   “I went there because of my sprint background, but going to Rangers I learned a lot about football.  “I had to learn about the fitness levels required to play for 90 minutes, but I learned in that time.  

“Back then there was nobody to turn to, I had to learn it myself, because I was the first coach in Scottish football to do what I did.”

Stuart, second right, middle row

What Stuart says above about not knowing the football scene strikes several chords with me.   For instance I remember driving home from an athletics meeting and listening to a football programme on Radio Clyde when Tommy Murray phoned in, clearly exasperated by the discussion about the strain of footballers having a long season and sometimes having to play twice a week.   Asked by one of the pundits what his experience was Tommy spoke about his training, and how often he competed.   He was cut short, told he knew nothing about football and the discussion moved on.   Football always lived in its own bubble and never seemed to look outside its boundaries for inspiration or education.   Jock Stein and Willie Waddell were looked at with amazement when they went abroad to learn from Hellenio Herrera at Inter Milan.   Stuart really had to work hard in an alien environment.     He says as much when the article quoted turns to his involvement with Dundee United and he talks about ‘proving himself’ to Jim McLean, which he did with a sprint session with Mixu Pattalainen watched by Jim McLean.  The article quoted  says:  

One of Hogg’s innovations during his time with Dundee United, which has stuck, was a properly organised warm-up before games and a warm-down after matches.   He added: “I started getting players to do a warm down after the game and we got laughed at.   “We also started doing a proper organised warm-up before the game as well and again we were laughed at.   “I remember being at Parkhead or Ibrox and the people that were in the stadium would be shouting ‘what the f*** is that?’ But we did it and now everyone does warm-ups like that.   We were at Tynecastle one day doing the warm-down after the game and there was a bit of animosity between Hearts and Dundee United at the time and we got thrown off the pitch during our warm-down.   It caused a kerfuffle and then Jim McLean got me in front of press the next week to explain why we were doing it.   Nobody did it at that time and nowadays kids playing in public parks for boys clubs do a proper warm-up and warm-down.”

We were the first to do it. The first time we did there were four Dundee United players who came out to volunteer to do it.   Jim McLean saw in the training it was beneficial and then made it compulsory and all the players came out after the game for a warm down.”

The learning was not all in one direction though    Stuart comments    “There was a lot of stuff he did that I’ve not forgotten and I learned from, both good and bad.   I find it difficult to be confrontational – but sometimes you have to be confrontational to get the best out of somebody.   I never forgot that. I don’t like being confrontational and I had to work at it, but I learned that sometimes you had to confront people.”

Stuart left when McLean lef6, But he wasn’t out of football for long when Aberdeen manager Willie Miller came calling following a recommendation from Craig Robertson.    It was at Pittodrie that he got the chance to work at a club full-time as opposed to balancing his coaching alongside architecture.   Miller’s successor as manager Roy Aitken offered him a full-time position and he served under Aitken, Alex Miller, Paul Hegarty and Ebbe Skovdahl.

At Aberdeen, he organised talks on nutrition and got the players’ blood and body fats taken to try to ensure that they were in the best possible condition to perform.   Hogg said: “I’ve got to be open-minded, but I’ve also got to prove that the results are there to back up the thinking.   

(a)  I had a lot of contacts. I got a professor called Ron Maughan to come in to do talks about nutrition.   One time at Aberdeen I got all the landladies, wives, girlfriends and anybody else that wanted to come and Ron organised a demonstration with people from Sainsbury’s he knew.   We’d 85 people there in the Richard Donald stand.

“(b) At Aberdeen, I got blood taken by Mike Greaves, who was professor in Haematology at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and became dean of the medical school in Aberdeen.

“He’s a brilliant guy and I got him to take blood and we discovered there were two players whose iron levels were low and we got them to take extra iron.

It’s those sort of wee things which are all part of the learning process for me and make a difference to the athletes.”

Hogg has particularly fond memories of working under the late Skovdahl at Pittodrie.     When the Dane arrived in the Granite City, Hogg thought his time with the Dons was up.   That wasn’t the case and he added: “Once we proved that we were honest and honest with him it was great working with Ebbe.

When Skovdahl left Aberdeen in December 2002, Hogg was also moved on as the Dons tried to cut costs.

He continued in athletics, but was out of football until midway through the 2016-17 when an old friend from his time with Dundee United called.   Peterhead manager Jim McInally was looking for a fitness coach and Hogg was tempted back into football.   He said: “Jim phoned me up and said he was looking for somebody who could do what I’d done at Dundee United.   He asked if I could recommend someone and I said: ‘are you angling for me to come back?   “And he said: ‘I’d bite your hand off if you came.’    The reason I went was because it was Jim.   “But I like the club, it’s a great wee club to work for.”

Even after a lifetime in sport, Hogg is still passionate about his work and still determined to try to help people.

I can’t jog round with the boys in the warm-up any more, but as long as I’ve got a whistle and a tongue I’m OK,” he said.   “I tell them I don’t get lactic in my legs any more – I get it in my tongue.   “I’m still able to shout, my brain is still active and I still know what sessions to put on and Jim doesn’t interfere with it at all.

 

 

 

 

Rosie Smith

Rosie Smith was born on 28/6/1985 and ran for Durham City, Edinburgh University and Hunters Bog Trotters. She started racing (very young, in the Durham area) before 2000. Rosie features in the top 6 Scottish ranking lists for 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m. Personal Bests: 5000m 17.22; 10,000m 37.22; 5k 16.57; 10k 33.28 (Leeds Abbey Dash 2014).

In 2006, Rosie won the Scottish Universities 1500m and 3000m titles.

Rosie Smith raced for GB in the 2004 IAAF World Junior Cross-Country Championships, and finished second Briton. In 2012, she represented GB in the European Cross-Country at Budapest, Hungary; and finished 16th (third Briton).

As a Senior, Rosie Smith ran International Cross-Country for Scotland five times and had a marvellously consistent record: 2006 in Ireland, first Scot, team lost to USA but beat Ireland; 2011, Antrim, Home Countries, first Scot, lost to England, beat Ulster, Ireland, Wales; 2012 at Giffnock, Home Countries, first Scot, team lost to England, beat Wales and Norway; 2013 in Wales, Home Countries, first Scot, lost to England, beat two other teams; 2017, Wales, first Scot, lost to England, beat Wales, Northern Ireland.

In the Scottish Senior National Cross-Country Championships, between 2010 and 2016, Rosie Smith won three individual bronze and three silver medals; Hunters Bog Trotters won the team title in 2010 and 2016, and Rosie contributed to two silver and two bronze team medals as well.

Rosie was third in the 2010 Scottish Short Course Cross-Country; and second in 2011 and 2017.

In 2011, she became East District Cross-Country Champion.

Between 2005 and 2011, Rosie contributed to 3 team bronze medals for Edinburgh University Hare & Hounds or HBT in the Scottish Cross-Country Relay.

In 2006, racing for Scottish Students, Rosie was second in the Inter-District Cross-Country Championships.

In 2008, she was second in the Scottish 10k Road Championships.

After a distinguished career, especially as a cross-country specialist, Rosie Smith seems to have stopped racing after 2017.

 

 

 

Lennie Waite

Eleanor ‘Lennie’ Waite was born on 4/2/1986 (in Paisley, Scotland) and ran for Rice University (USA), Aldershot, Farnham and District, East Kilbride AAC.

Personal Bests: 1500m 4.15.33; One Mile 4.35.42; Indoors 3000m 9.15.20; 5000m 16.12.54; 3000m Steeplechase 9.35.91.

Lennie left Rice University in 2008 as a two-time All-American (at One Mile and Steeplechase).

Lennie Waite raced the 3000m Steeplechase for Scotland in three Commonwealth Games, finishing 6th in 2010 and tenth in both 2014 and 2018. She ran for GB in the 2016 Olympics, 2016 European Championships and 2017 World Championships.

                       Lennie Waite running for Scotland in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Steeplechase

Lennie finished 7th in the 2011 World University Games Steeplechase in China. In 2013, for GB, she was 5th in the European Team Championships Steeplechase (in 2015, she finished second in this event).

At GB level, Lennie won the Steeplechase title in 2011 and 2015; as well as securing silver medals in 2009, 2014 and 2016.

In the Scottish Athletics Championships, she won the Steeplechase in 2009 (and was second in 2010). In 2014, she won the Indoor 1500m title.

Apart from her Commonwealth Games appearances, Lennie Waite ran 3000m Steeplechase for Scotland in 2013 at Loughborough, when she finished second in a match against England, Wales and three other teams.

Lennie also ran cross-country for Scotland in 2013, in a Home Countries International at Llandeilo, Wales. She finished 6th (second Scot) and the team lost to England but beat two English district teams.

Although Lennie Waite has been based in the USA, she has raced all over the world, including many events in Europe. She joined East Kilbride AAC in 2017 but does not seem to have raced in Scotland since 2014.

Megan Crawford

Megan Crawford was born on 17/4/1989 and ran for Fife AC. She was Scottish Marathon Champion in 2013 and 2015 (and secured silver in 2014); and won the Scottish 10 miles road title in 2015 (after silver in 2011). On the track, Megan won a bronze medal in the 2011 Scottish 10,000m Championship. Her marathon personal best is 2.40.26 (2015); and 10,000m 36.24.61 (2011).

                Megan Crawford and Tarus Elly at the 2015 Scottish Marathon Championship near Inverness

In the annual Scottish Athletics ranking lists, Megan Crawford has been top five for: 10,000m, marathon and 2000m Steeplechase. In the Scottish Mid Trail Running Championships, Megan finished third in 2014 and 2015. As a Senior, in 2014, after finishing 8th in the Senior National, Megan ran cross-country for Scotland in at the Nottingham Home Countries International; she finished 9th (and first Scot).

For many years,  Megan Crawford has been coached by Ron Morrison  of Fife AC. The club has gained a lot from Megan’s determined contribution to team success. In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Fife AC (with Megan Crawford) won team gold in 2019 and 2020, after bronze in 2018. The team also won the Scottish XC Relay in 2019 and 2020. In the Scottish Road Relay, it was silver in 2015 and gold in 2018. The Scottish Short Course team gold was won in 2014 (when Megan was fourth).

Fife AC won the team title in the 2011 Scottish 10k Road Championship; and added silver in 2014 (when Megan won individual silver). In the Scottish Half Marathon, Megan Crawford was third in 2011 and 2013, leading Fife AC to the team title on each occasion; and when Megan finished fourth in 2014, Fife won again. Even the Scottish Marathon team award belonged to Fife in 2013 (when Megan Crawford won the race).

Apart from Fife AC v Central AC rivalry, Megan Crawford and Jennifer Emsley have had some close battles. In 2013, Jennifer secured Scottish Half Marathon silver and Megan bronze. In 2014, Jennifer won Scottish 10k gold and Megan silver. The most memorable battle must have been in the 2014 Scottish Marathon at Inverness, where Megan (the title holder 2.46.25) was outkicked by Jennifer (2.46.10). However, Megan won even faster (2.44.50) on the same course in 2015. In 2019, Jennifer Wetton regained the Scottish Marathon title at Stirling.

After her Scottish Marathon victory at Inverness in 2013, Fraser Clyne’s report commented: Megan Crawford (Fife AC) enjoyed a marathon debut to savour by setting a new course record of 2hr 46min 37secs to win the Baxters Loch Ness marathon women’s title and the Scottish championship gold medal. The Edinburgh-based runner shaved two secs off the previous leading mark for the course set by Ethiopia’s Dinknnesh Mekash Tefara in 2010. Crawford pulled away from Romanian favourite Alina Nituleasa after the halfway mark and went on to win by more than three minutes.

She was ecstatic about winning the race and collecting her first national title. She said: ”I had absolutely no expectations as it was my first marathon but it’s a nice feeling to win. I knew I was running well in the lead up to the race as I finished third in the Moray half marathon recently. After that I felt I could run a decent marathon time but I had no idea how it might go. I ran with the Romanian runner until around the halfway point when I began to get away and from there on I just kept going.”

In 2014, Fraser Clyne wrote: There was a dramatic finish to the women’s race in which Jenn Emsley (Central AC) held off a late challenge from title-holder Megan Crawford (Fife C) to take the top prize in a new course record time of 2:46:10, knocking 27secs off the previous standard. Crawford was also inside the old record, which she set twelve months earlier, when finishing just 15 secs behind, while Shona McIntosh took the bronze in 2:53:15.

Emsley was delighted with her day’s work which, in addition to the record, yielded a Scottish title, a personal best time and a winner’s cheque for £1500. She said: “I am very happy but surprised to have run a quicker time than I did at the London marathon, as I think Loch Ness is a harder course. But my training had been going well and I feel I’ve finally justified the hard work I’ve been doing.”

“There were four of us for the first 10 miles then the Romanian runner, Alina Nituleasa, dropped back. Megan then seemed to drop back and I eventually pulled away from Shona. Then, near the end, I could see that Megan was beginning to close up on me again so it was just a case of keeping going and not getting caught.”

Crawford had mixed feelings about her performance which was admirable given that she suffered from stomach problems throughout the race. She said: “I’m a bit annoyed but at the same time I’m really happy for Jenn. I had to stop so many times during the race because of my dodgy tummy and every time I got going I was trying to make up ground. I eventually got past Shona and then began to close on Jenn. I am convinced that if there was another mile I might have caught her.”

In 2015, Megan Crawford was considerably happier!

                                                                   Megan Crawford celebrates her 2015 victory

Record-breaker Megan Crawford was in exuberant mood after winning the women’s title in today’s Baxters Loch Ness marathon. The Fife AC runner completed the scenic Highland course in a time of 2hrs 44min 50secs to obliterate the previous women’s record of 2:46:10 set by Central AC’s Jenn Wetton last year when Crawford finished 15secs behind in second position.

Belgrave’s Gatenesh Tamirat, the 2014 Jersey marathon champion, finished second in 2:57:44 with Shona McManus (Kelvin Runners – Scottish silver medal) pipping Gillian Sangster (Dundee Road Runners – Scottish bronze medal) by 41secs to take third spot in 3:02:06.

Crawford, who improved her fastest marathon time to 2.40.26 in London this April, pocketed the Scottish title for the second time in three years and was ecstatic with this result. She said: “I love this marathon. It’s definitely one of my favourites and I was actually having fun out there. One of my main motivations for doing it was to try to win the Scottish title again and I’ve done that so I’m very happy.

“I ran with Gatenesh for the first 17 miles. I was reluctant to go in front before then so I just stayed with her. I’d thought about making my move on the hills after about 19 miles, but then decided to push on a bit earlier than that. When I made my move she didn’t stay with me for too long so I kept pushing and decided that if I fell apart it would just be my own fault. But I was fine and I knew I was on track for a good time so I kept it going. I’m hoping to do the half marathon in Glasgow next week so I hope I recover quickly.”

(In 2014 and 2015, as a Senior Woman, Megan Crawford raced for Scotland in the Home Countries Hill Running International. On both occasions, Scotland won team silver medals, and in 2014 Megan finished fourth – and first Scot. In 2015, she won the Seven Hills of Edinburgh race.)

Jennifer Emsley (Wetton)

Jennifer Emsley (Wetton from 2015) was born on 28/11/1986 and ran for City of Glasgow and Central AC. On the track, Jennifer won the Scottish Athletics 10,000m title in 2012, 2013 and 2016. In 2014, she became Scottish 10k Road champion; and then won the Scottish Marathon title (which, as Jennifer Wetton, she regained in 2019, when she led Central AC to team victory). Her personal best marathon time is 2.46.10 (2014); and 10,000m 35.07.44 (2016).

 

 

                                       Jenn Emsley and Patryk Gierajatowicz: 2014 Scottish Marathon Champions

Jennifer was a talented young cross-country runner. She won the Scottish National under-17 Championship in 2004. City of Glasgow (including Jennifer) won that team title in 2003.  Jennifer Emsley raced four Junior Celtic Nations Cross-Country Internationals for Scotland: 2003-8. Belfast 2003 (second under-20 Scot); Dublin 2006 (second under-23 Scot); Belfast 2007 (third under-23 Scot); and Edinburgh 2008 (fourth under-23 Scot).

In the Senior National, Jennifer Emsley featured in winning Central AC teams in 2014 and 2015; and Jennifer Wetton added another team gold in 2017. In the Scottish Short Course XC, Central won the team title in 2015 and 2017. Central won the Scottish Road Relay Championship in 2013, 2014 and 2015; and also triumphed in the Scottish XC Relay during these three years.

Jennifer Emsley raced four Junior Celtic Nations Cross-Country Internationals for Scotland: 2003-8. Belfast 2003 (second under-20 Scot); Dublin 2006 (second under-23 Scot); Belfast 2007 (third under-23 Scot); and Edinburgh 2008 (fourth under-23 Scot).

On the road, Central (and Jennifer) won the Scottish 10k team title in 2013 and 2014.

Apart from Central AC v Fife AC rivalry, Jennifer Emsley and Megan Crawford have had some close battles. In 2013, Jennifer secured Scottish Half Marathon silver and Megan bronze. In 2014, Jennifer won Scottish 10k gold and Megan silver. The most memorable battle must have been in the 2014 Scottish Marathon at Inverness, where Megan (the title holder 2.46.25) was outkicked by Jennifer (2.46.10). However, Megan won even faster (2.44.50) on the same course in 2015. In 2019, Jennifer Wetton regained the Scottish Marathon title at Stirling.

In 2014, Fraser Clyne wrote: There was a dramatic finish to the women’s race in which Jenn Emsley (Central AC) held off a late challenge from title-holder Megan Crawford (Fife C) to take the top prize in a new course record time of 2:46:10, knocking 27secs off the previous standard. Crawford was also inside the old record, which she set twelve months earlier, when finishing just 15 secs behind, while Shona McIntosh took the bronze in 2:53:15.

Emsley was delighted with her day’s work which, in addition to the record, yielded a Scottish title, a personal best time and a winner’s cheque for £1500. She said: “I am very happy but surprised to have run a quicker time than I did at the London marathon, as I think Loch Ness is a harder course. But my training had been going well and I feel I’ve finally justified the hard work I’ve been doing.”

“There were four of us for the first 10 miles then the Romanian runner, Alina Nituleasa, dropped back. Megan then seemed to drop back and I eventually pulled away from Shona. Then, near the end, I could see that Megan was beginning to close up on me again so it was just a case of keeping going and not getting caught.”

                                Jennifer Wetton winning the 2019 Scottish Marathon Championship at Stirling

QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME Jennifer Wetton (née Emsley – married 29.11.14)

 CLUBs Arran Runners (from 1999 until they ceased to exist, no longer SA affiliated), City of Glasgow AC (2000-2004), Central AC (2004-present)

 DATE OF BIRTH 28.11.86

 OCCUPATION Sales Admin

 HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?

I started running at the end of 1997 (when I was 11) to train for the Island (Arran) Schools’ Sports Day 800m the following year. I’d watched the race in 97 and been inspired by seeing a girl win it by a huge margin – I then beat her by a similar margin in 98. Ran XC for the high school and won the Ayrshire Schools Champs in 99. After that I joined Arran Runners and got involved in more mainland competitions. After finishing 3rd Under-13 in the Scottish XC Champs in 2000 (outsprinted for 2nd by Eilidh Child), my dad was approached by a few clubs who wanted me to run for them and we chose City of Glasgow. That opened up more team and track racing opportunities for me. When I started university in Stirling in 2004, I began training with Derek Easton’s group at Central and changed clubs.

My first Scottish title was the Under-15 1500m in 2001 and a few weeks later I made my first Scotland team for the World Mountain Running Trophy.

I moved up the distances gradually over the years. I started 10k running when I was 15, half marathon when I was 22 and then ran my first marathon at 26.

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

The people who have had the most influence on my running over the years would have to be Jim Young (Ayrshire Harriers), Martin Hyman, Derek Easton and my dad, Paul Emsley. My training group at Central have helped me a lot especially Morag Millar and Lyndsay Morrison who remain close friends.

 WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET OUT OF THE SPORT?

Everything: Enjoyment, Health, Fitness, Competition. Travel. Adventure. Friendship. Satisfaction. The joy of sharing my sport with my children.

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

Best performances would probably be the Stirling 10k (Scottish Champs) and Loch Ness Marathon (also Scottish Champs) in 2014. Both races were battles with my friend and rival Megan Crawford – we had many races together over a couple of years and I always enjoyed the competition.

 YOUR WORST?

I’ve had too many bad races over the years to pick out a worst performance.

 WHAT UNFULFILLED AMBITIONS DO YOU HAVE?

Always wanted to run under 2:45 for the marathon but the stars never aligned on the day when I was in shape to do so. Now that I’m a mum of two, I doubt that I’ll have the time (or the motivation) to do the required training to have another shot at that sort of time.

 OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES?

Having two young children doesn’t leave me with too much time for leisure activities. I enjoy running with the kids in the buggy and going on adventures with them – usually finishing a run in a park or a coffee shop.

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

It has brought me a great deal of personal satisfaction over the years – I feel that I have come close to achieving my full potential at most distances. In recent years I have enjoyed running with my kids – seeing them enjoy it too has probably been the best part of my running life.

CAN YOU GIVE SOME DETAILS OF YOUR TRAINING?

At my peak:

Monday – AM 10 miles, PM 4-8 miles.

Tuesday – AM 4 miles, PM Central intervals session

Wednesday – AM 10 miles, PM 4-8 miles

Thursday – AM 4 miles, PM Central intervals session

Friday – AM 4 miles, PM rest (this was my “rest” day)

Saturday – AM Interval session/Parkrun/Race, PM 4 miles

Sunday – long run (15-23 miles)

 

Now (currently 4 months postpartum after 2nd child):

Monday – 10 miles

Tuesday – Intervals (usually totalling 10 miles including WU & CD)

Wednesday – 10 miles

Thursday – Intervals (usually totalling 10 miles including WU & CD)

Friday – 5 miles

Saturday – Parkrun

Sunday – long run (12-15 miles)

Most of my runs at the moment are with a buggy and on Friday & Saturday are with the double buggy.

(Jenn has won Scottish titles on the road, cross-country, hills, indoor track and outdoor track!)

She enjoyed a long sequence of Scottish Championship wins, starting with under-15 1500m in 2001; other track victories included under-23 1500m and 5000m; three Senior 10,000m titles; and under-20 Indoor 1500m (plus Scottish Schools under-16 Indoor 1500m). Hill running titles were achieved in under-16 and under-19 age groups. Road wins included: under-15; under-20; and Senior (one 10k and two Marathon titles). Her 2004 cross-country victory was at under-17 level.

Jennifer Emsley Wetton ran for Scotland in: a Scottish Schools XC International; ten Hill Internationals (including two  under-20 World Mountain Trophy selections); two under-23 Cross-Country events; at Senior level, one Trail race; and, on the road, one 10k, two 10 miles and one Half Marathon.

Jenn wrote:

My versatility is down to my dad, Paul – he was keen for me and my brother, Nick, to try out as many types of running as possible when we were young so took us to all sorts of events. Dad was club secretary of Arran Runners for a decade so was sent all the adverts for races and took us to a lot of them. I can remember being dragged off to the Kelvin Hall between Christmas and New Year for a 600m at an open graded meeting because Dad thought it would be fun. It was the same with my introduction to hill running – Dad got a leaflet in the post about it and we were off to Glentress Forest to run – I ended up getting selected for the Scottish team and soon found myself running up a hill in Italy!

 Growing up on Arran meant that I had plenty of hills to train on but most of my running was done on the flat road along the front of my village, Whiting Bay. In the summer we (my dad and I) would train on the grass at the local park/football pitch when preparing for shorter distances.

 Not surprisingly, as she approached 35 years of age, Jenn Wetton looked forward to exploring the varied possibilities of competing in Masters Athletics!

Melissa Whyte

Melissa Whyte (born 1965?) ran for Inverness Harriers and enjoyed a very successful ‘late-blooming’ career, after keeping fit in previous years.

In 2008, she ran the fastest time at the North District XC Relays and IH won the title. In 2009, Melissa won individual gold in the North District XC Championships, leading Inverness H to the title. In addition, she won several road races in Highland and Moray.

In 2010, 2011 and 2012, she won with ease the W45 Scottish Masters XC title. Her 2012 performance was extraordinary, since she finished first in front of W35 and W40 competitors and became the oldest person ever to win the SWCC Vets Cup.

The British and Irish Masters International XC is a most prestigious annual event. Melissa Whyte was third overall in 2010 but won the W45 category; in 2011 she was fourth overall but W45 champion again.

                           Melissa Whyte (number 4574) in the British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country

She won a silver medal in the (Senior) Scottish Half Marathon Championships in 2011 and won the Masters division.

In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Melissa was 8th in 2010 and 7th in 2011. Consequently, aged 45, in March 2011, she ran for Scotland in the Home Countries XC International at Antrim, Northern Ireland. Melissa Whyte finished 16th (third Scottish counter) and Scotland beat Ulster, Ireland and Wales.

Women’s A-Z: Wadler – Young

 

Margaret Wadler (Athenians)  was a very good miler in the years after the War with her best running being in the early 1950’s when she was winner of the SWAAA Mile in 1952.   Running for the Edinburgh based Athenians AC, HM Wadler was second in the Scottish Cross Country championship in 1954 and third in 1953.   She was also a member of the first women’s international cross-country team in 1954. 

Gail Walker (Cumbernauld, 22 October 1971) Best known on the track as a 1500m runner, she was also a useful 800m/3000m athlete.  Gail was also a good cross-country runner.   Married to sub-1:50 800m runner Ewan Calvert she is the mother of Sarah and Iona Calvert who are two of the country’s very best young half milers.

Jane Walker (Strathkelvin, City of Glasgow) came into running as a senior athlete during the ‘running boom’ and proved to be a good road and cross-country athlete.   

Sharon Walker (Firhill School, Edinburgh Southern, 13th May 1964) Sharon was a good 800/1500m runner with Edinburgh Southern Harriers who was ranked in every year from 1977 – 1981.   Her highest placing was eighth in 1981 for running 1000m in 3:00.2.

Cathie WALSH (Maryhill Harriers) was a good cross-country runner for the Maryhill team of the late 1940’s and with the good teams of the 1950’s.   

Jennifer Ward (Pitreavie, City of Glasgow, 22 March 1978) was ranked 29 times between 1992 and 2004, mainly in 800m (13 times) and 1500m (11 times but also in 400m, and 3000m   Her competitive record is outstanding – at GB level, she was third in the 800m in 2000, in the SWAAA Championships, she won the 800 in 2000 and 2003, was second in 1997 and 1999, and third in 2002.  Indoors she won the SWAAA championship in 2004 and was second in 1999.

 Emma Waterhouse (Raven from 2009) was born on 23/02/1983 and ran for Central AC. She was second in the 2011 GB 3000m Steeplechase; and won the Scottish title in 2010 (as well as silver in 2009 and bronze in 2008). Emma also secured a silver medal in the 2010 Scottish 5000m.  Personal Bests: 5000m 16.40.39; 3000m Steeplechase 10.5.92. In the Scottish Senior National XC, she contributed to team medals for Central AC: bronze in 2005 and 2010 (when she won individual silver); gold in 2009. Central (with Emma) won the Scottish XC Relay in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, Emma Raven ran a cross-country International for Scotland and finished first Scot v England and Wales. She won the Scottish 5k Road title in 2011.

Jane Waterhouse (Central AC, Vet 65) Colin Youngson says in his profile: Jane is one of the most successful Scottish Masters cross-country runners, female or male, EVER. I base this assessment on her incredible record in the Scottish Masters CC: Jane has won thirteen individual titles, all by clear margins. She started off in 1997 with the W40 championship; won three W45 gold medals between 1999 and 2001; added three more at W50 (2003-5) plus another in 2007; then secured four W55 titles in 2008 and 2010-12; and started her W60 campaign with gold in 2013. She did not compete in 1998, 2006 and 2009, and suffered her only defeat in fourteen races when she could ‘only’ obtain bronze in 2002.   In addition Jane has been a stalwart team leader for Scotland in the annual 5 Nations CC Masters International. I do not have all her results, but note that in 2007 she was 7th W50, but improved to 5th W55 in 2008 (behind the winner, England’s Susan Cooper).    Read more about her in her full profile.

Leslie Watson (Maryhill LAC, London Olympiads, Highgate, 4 February, 1945) was a good cross-country runner.   In the SWAAA Championships she was first in the mile in 1966, second in 1965 and third in 1964 and 67.   Over the country she was second in the SWCCY Championships in 1965, first in 1966, ’67 and ’68.   She then turned to marathon running and became a very prolific runner and prize winner over that distance.   Read about her   here.

Jean Webster (Athenians AC)  was possibly the best cross-country runner in the Athenians club (formerly Edinburgh Southern Harriers) and (after a silver medal in 1952) won the Scottish title in 1953, leading Athenians to team victory. On the track, she won the SWAAA 880 yards in 1953, from Aileen Drummond and Betty Moffat. In 1954, these three ran for Scotland v England in a track 3×880 yards relay under the floodlights at Ibrox.

Priscilla Welch, English  (Dunrossness, Shetland AAC22 November, 44)  Read her full profile here.    Priscilla i really well known as a marathon runner with a best of 2:32:31.   She won the British 10,000m in 1984 and the Scottish marathon in 1982.      

Christine WHALLEY (Livingston) was a good runner on all surfaces but was arguably at her best on the Hills – she won the 1987 Scottish Hill Running Championship from Christine Menhennetand and Kathy Butler.  Christine ran on the hills for many years and away from the hills she ran regularly for her club and  was a member of the Livi team that was second in the Scottish Road Relays in 1989.

Anne White vet (Garscube Harriers)  Read her complete profile here.   The mother of Katie, Anne is a very good veteran athlete and member of the Scottish International cross-country team.      

Katie White vet (Garscube Harriers, 6 January, 1981)   Read her full profile here.   Katie is the daughter of Anne and is a good marathon runner in her own right with a marathon pb of 2:40:35 which ranked her second in Scotland in 2018 – she was also ranked second the previous year although the time was two minutes slower.    

Melissa Whyte (born 1965?) ran for Inverness Harriers and enjoyed a very successful ‘late-blooming’ career, after earlier keeping fit for years. In 2008, she ran the fastest time at the North District Cross-Country Relays and Inverness Harriers won the title. In 2009, Melissa won individual gold in the North District Cross-Country Championships, leading Inverness to the title. In addition, she won several road races in Highland and Moray. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, she won with ease the W45 Scottish Masters Cross-Country title. Her 2012 performance was extraordinary, since she finished first in front of W35 and W40 competitors and became the oldest person ever to win the SWCC Vets Cup. The British and Irish Masters International XC is a most prestigious annual event. Melissa Whyte was third overall in 2010 but won the W45 category; in 2011 she was fourth overall but W45 champion again. She won a silver medal in the Senior Scottish Half Marathon Championships in 2011 and also won the Masters division. In the Scottish Senior National XC Championships, Melissa was 8th in 2010 and 7th in 2011. Consequently, aged 45, in March 2011, she ran for Scotland in the Home Countries XC International at Antrim, Northern Ireland. Melissa Whyte finished 16th (third Scottish counter) and Scotland beat Ulster, Ireland and Wales.

Laura M Wight (Adam) (Stevenage, U of Nebraska, 28 February, 1965)   Laura is a very talented track runner who was ranked in a range of events between 1983 and 1992 with a superb competition record.   This is from the Scotats.net website: 

Commonwealth Games ’94 3000 (8th); . GB Championships: 2nd AAA 10000 ’93, 2nd AAA 3000 ’94, 3rd UK 3000 ’89, ’92; Scottish Championships: 1st 1500’94, 1st 3000’89, 3rd 1500’89, 3rd 3000 ’85, ’86.   Her pbs are 2:07.7 (800), 4:17.66 (1500), 9:02.47 (3000), 16:05.6 (5000) and 34:00.12 (10,000m).

Joan Will (Morgan Academy, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)   was a member of a very good Hawkhill cross-country team with Christine Haskett and Palm Lindsay which won many trophies and medals.   A very good track runner over 800, 1500 and 3000 m she was second in the SWAAA 1500m championship in 1971.

Catriona Williams (Dundee Hawkhill) was a middle and long distance track runner for the club who was ranked in the 3000m in 1989 with a time of 10:28.4. 

Molly Wilmoth – see under Molly Ferguson

Aileen Wilson (Dundee Hawkhill, 20 January 1953) was mainly a road runner ranked between 1985 and 1992who had a pb for the marathon of 2:56:35 which placed her fifth in Scotland in 1991, also in the top ten the folloowing year when she was seventh fastest Scot.

Deborah Wilson (Edinburgh Southern) was an 800 metres runner from 1972 to 1974 with a personal best of 2:20.1.

Julie Wilson (Inverness, 28 June 1967)   ran distances from 400m hurdles to 3000m and 3000 steeplechase.   Ranked 10 times between 1988 and 1994 she left the competitive arena until 2001 when she ran a good 3000m and then in 2016 she ran a fast enough 2000m steeplechase to be rated number 4 in Scotland.   her only medal in the national championships was for third in the indoor 3000m in 1988.

Lyn Wilson ( Carnethy 14.06.71) Lyn was a good hill and country runner who also ran well enough on the track to be nationally ranked in 2004 over 3000m with a time of 10:08.02 which made her 13th quickest in the country.   Over the country she finished regularly in the top ten and was right in among the top runners in the country as part of a class Carnethy Team which included Angela Mudge and Tracey Brindley.   Internationally, between 2004 and 2008,she ran for Scotland once on the road and once on cross country. She ran for Scotland in the World Mountain Running Championships and for Great Britain in the European event. In the 2002 Snowdon Mountain International, Scotland (Tracey Brindley, Lyn Wilson and Jill Tate) won Team Gold.

Margaret Wilson (Maryhill LAC)   When Maryhill Harriers Ladies became Maryhill Ladies AC under John Anderson’s rule they continued to produce good endurance runners like Leslie Watson and Mary Speedman.   One of these was Margaret Wilson who was a good cross-country athlete and also ran 1500m on the track, ranked  with a time of 5:49.3 in 1971.   She was also a good team member over the country.

Heather Wisley (Fraserburgh, 25 April 1952) ran for Fraserburgh between the late 80’s and early 90’s and was nationally ranked over 1500m (1990) and 3000m (1989, 1990 and 1991).  She won East District 3000m titles in 1989 and 1990. A good cross-country runner, Heather won the Scottish Women’s Cross-Country Union over-35 Veterans championship in 1987/88.

Alison Wright NZ/Sco (Edinburgh Southern, 1 December 1949) Although a New Zealander who ran for that country in the 1978 Commonwealth Games in 1978 at 800m and 1500m, she raced for Edinburgh Southern Harriers between 1980 and 1982 and appearing in the Scottish ranking lists no less than ten time at distances of 800/1500/Mile/and 3000m   Her lifetime competitive record was as follows –  (for New Zealand) Commonwealth Games ’78 800 (sf), 1500 (6th).  In the GB Championships:  3rd 3000 ’78. Scottish championships: 1st 1500 ’81.  (These figures from Scotstats.net)

Rosemary (Stirling) Wright    –  See under Rosemary Stirling

Melissa Wyllie (Hermitage School, Glasgow, Dumbarton AC, 17 May 1966) competing between 1981 and 1989 she had best times of 2:11.2 (800), 4:31.2 (1500) and 10:00.3 (3000m.) Melissa reappeared in the ranking lists in 2015 when she ran 39:19.1 for 10,000m.   She was also a good cross-country and road  runner for Glasgow AC at a time when Carol Sharp, Eileen Cochrane and other good athletes were representing the club.  eg in the Scottish road relay championships in 1989, she was fastest in her team and third quickest overall. Glasgow won the relay title that year and also 1984. In 1983, Melissa Wylie had won the Scottish under-17 XC title and led her team to gold medals. Glasgow AC also finished first in the Senior National cross-country in 1988. As a Masters athlete, Melissa Wylie won bronze in the 2014 Scottish 10k road; and became W45 cross-country champion in 2015. She ran for Scotland in the 2014 British and Irish Masters XC, finishing fourth W45. 

Elizabeth Young ran for Irvine YMCA and Irvine AC. Aged only 16, over a one and a half miles course at Pollokshields, she won the 1951 Senior National Cross-Country title in 1951 (in a sprint finish from Maureen McNab of Bellahouston Harriers). This was the first Post-War Scottish Women’s XC Championship. Elizabeth won a silver medal in the 1951 Scottish Athletics 880 yards. In 1952, she finished third in the National Cross-Country.

Rubina ‘Ruby’ YOUNG (1956-, Glasgow Univ, Shettleston)   was a very good, very talented runner indeed who came from nowhere it seemed, sparkled very brightly. and then stopped.   A Scottish international cross-country runner in 1979, she was second in the SWAAA track 3000m in 1976 and had track personal bests of 800 – 2:17.3, 1500m – 4:37.4 and 3000m – 10:19.0.