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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 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 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 16^th (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.

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 6^th 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 7^th in the 2011 World University Games Steeplechase in China. In 2013, for GB, she was 5^th 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 6^th (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 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 8^th in the Senior National, Megan ran cross-country for Scotland in at the Nottingham Home Countries International; she finished 9^th (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 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 3^rd Under-13 in the Scottish XC Champs in 2000 (outsprinted for 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 (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 8^th in 2010 and 7^th 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 16^th (third Scottish counter) and Scotland beat Ulster, Ireland and Wales.

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 8^th in 2010 and 7^th 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 16^th (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. 

Rosemary Stirling winning the 1970 Commonwealth Games 800 metres

Jackie (or Joyce) Salvona, (Law & District, Livingston and District AC, 14.03.58 ) was an all-round endurance runner with a best for the marathon of 2:58.44 which ranked her sixth in Scotland in 1991.  She had been eighteenth in 1986 with 3:08:51.   A valuable club member, she also raced over the country with several good runs in the National Championships. Joyce Salvona ran for Scotland in four World Mountain Running Trophy Championships. In 1995  and 1995, she won W35 silver medals in the Scottish Masters XC Championships; Livingston and District AC won team gold in 1995 and silver in 1996.

Michelle Sandison (11/4/1980, Stirling University, Shetland and Springburn Harriers). In the Scottish Athletics Championships, she won: three silver medals and two bronze in the 10,000m: and bronze in the 5000m. As a Senior, Michelle ran one road and one cross-country International. On the road, she competed in a 2004 Ekiden Relay, in Brussels, where Scotland lost to Ireland but beat Belgium and France. On the country: 2018 (Home Countries at Nottingham, Scotland lost to England but beat Wales). Michelle has run both 5000m and 10,000m for Shetland in the bi-annual NatWest Island Games four times, in Lerwick (2005), Sandown (2011), Jersey (2015) and Visby in Sweden (2017). She was West District XC Champion  in 2015, 2016 and 2018. It is notable that Michelle’s personal bests (for 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, parkrun and 10k) have all come in 2017 and 2018, after she moved into the W35 age-group. In 2016 (Glasgow), 2017 (Derry) and 2018 (Swansea), she took part in the prestigious British and Irish Masters International, running very well for Scottish Masters: obtaining W35 individual bronze and team gold in Glasgow; finishing fourth individual in Derry (team silver but in front of England); and winning the W35 title in Swansea (team bronze). Michelle Sandison also secured W35 bronze (and GB team silver) in the 2018 World Masters cross-country in Malaga.

Elaine M. Scally  (Our Lady & St Francis Sch, Shettleston, Edinburgh,  26 January 65) came from a very good family of distance runners starting with Allan Scally, and including her Father Bill, uncle Frank and brother Brian.   She herself was a Scottish internationalist on the hills, over the country and on the track.   With best times on the track of 2:19.9 (800m),  4:37.7 (1500m), 9:56.72, (3000) and 17:51.59 (5000m) she was well equipped for cross-country and road running. Her running in the national road relays was notable.  Read her full profile.     Ranked for many events such as high jump, javelin and pentathlon, after marrying John Mackay in 1984 she returned to competition and specialised in distance events winning Scottish international honours on the road, track and as a hill runner..

Kirsten Scobie   (Shettleston, Leeds City 13 November 67) was a very good athlete with best times on the track of  2:11.8 (800m),   4:21.8 (1500m), 4:58.5 (Mile), 9:29.72 (3000m)  and competitively on the track, Kirsten was second in the indoor 3000m Scottish championship in 1995 and third in the national 1500m championship in 1993.  Also a good cross-country runner, Kirsten also ran internationally for Scotland on the track over 1500m and 3000m, as well as over the country,   Kirsten is the daughter of  Brian Scobie and married to Robert Cameron.

Lorraine Scobie   (Earlston HS, Edinburgh Southern Harriers )   was a member of the good Edinburgh Southern Harriers track & field team that performed so well in the 1970’s and 80’s with a best time for the 3000m of 10:48.2, run in 1982.

Jo-Ann Scott    (Darlington,  29.06.63)  was a good runner from south of the border with best times of 4:34.6 (1500m), 9:39.21 (3000m), 17:07.9 (5000m) and 36:45.24 (10,000m).   She also ran cross-country and was eighth in the National in 1992.   

Elspeth Scott (Westerlands) has been running on the country at all the regular events up to the national, and the road as well as on the hills. Twentieth in the Scottish hill running championships in 1990, 21st in 1991, she was 2nd 1993, 3rd in 1995, 12th in 1996, 4th in 1998, 4th in 1999 and 2nd in 200/01.   These were not the only years she was eunning of course but they give a fair indication of her ability.   Elspeth was a good, able runner she is well known and well respected.

Susan Scott (26/9/1977 , Glasgow AC, City of Glasgow and VP City of Glasgow) was the first Scottish woman to record a time under 2 minutes for 800m; raced for GB in the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Indoors; and for Scotland at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games (finishing fourth in both finals). Susan won British titles: the AAA 800m (2002 and 2005); and the Indoor 1500m (2009). She won the Scottish 800m title five times between 1998 and 2005; 1500m in 2004 and Indoor 1500m in 2006. In the 1997 Scottish National XC, Susan finished third under-20 and led Glasgow AC to the team title. Susan Scott raced cross-country for Scotland three times as a Junior (including a 1998 Celtic Nations match at Belfast, when she was second under-23 to finish and Scotland won, beating Wales). Susan also represented Scotland at cross-country three times as a Senior and was a team scorer on each occasion. Do read her complete profile.

Susan Scott  (Dundee Hawkhill, Pitreavie 10.09.82) was a useful 800m runner for Hawkhill with a best time of 2:17.68 recorded in 2000.

Jill Shannon (Kilbarchan AAC and Lagan Valley, 23.4.82) came from Northern Ireland. Personal bests: 5000m 16.43.64; 10,000m 35.19.07. Jill won the Scottish  10k Road Championships in 2005. In the Scottish Senior National XC, she finished fourth in 2004 and Kilbarchan secured team bronze medals. In the Scottish XC Relay, the team won silver in 2003; and silver again in the 2004 Scottish Road Relay

Carol Sharp (Shettleston, City of Glasgow) was a very good athlete indeed – on the track she excelled over 800m with 3 firsts, 3 seconds and 2 thirds plus one victory in the indoor 800m at Scottish championships, and also ran in the Commonwealth Games of 1982.   She was also ranked at various times over 400m, 1500m, 1 Mile and 3000m.   In the winter she proved to be a very good cross-country runner.   Read the profile of this talented athlete at Carol Sharp – SCOTTISH DISTANCE RUNNING HISTORY

Jean Sharp  (Central Region AC)  was an endurance runner in the 1980’s whose best time for the marathon was 3:13:30 for the distance in 1986 which ranked her 22nd in Scotland.

Wendy Sharp (Queen Anne HS, Pitreavie; 16th June, 1962)  was a very good distance runner who had a long career in the sport, being ranked at national level over a period of 12 years although she carried on well after that.   Best times of 4:55.02 for 1500 metres and 10:28.01 for the 3000 metres, both returned in the 1970’s.   ●mother of Gemma Nico

Louisa Shaw  ( Arbroath & District, 25.10.75)  competed during the 1990’s at 1500m and 3000m on the track with best times of 4:48.36 for 1500m and 10:30.55 for 3000m. .

Carolyn Sheehan ( Aberdeen AAC 14.07.70) ran for the club in 1984 over 800m and 1500m with best performances of 2:14.32  and 4:43.5. Carolyn (Aberdeen Grammar School) won Scottish Schools 800m titles in 1984 and 1986; and also won the 1986 Scottish under-17 800m Championship. Carolyn Sheehan won the Scottish National under-17 cross-country title in 1987. In the Scottish XC Relays, Aberdeen won under-17 silver in 1986. In 1988, she was in an AAAC team which won bronze medals in the Senior National. In 1985 and 1986, Carolyn raced two Junior cross-country Internationals for Scotland and finished first Scot in both of them.

Judith Shepherd (Bearsden Academy, Western LAC, Glasgow AC, Clemson University (USA) 19.03.59) was a very good middle distance runner indeed who was ranked every year from 1974 to 1985 inclusive.   She was number one in Scotland for 3000m twice, number two twice for 3000m and 1500m once and number three for 3000m three times and number three for 5000m once. and a total of 17 appearances in the top ten.   In the SWAAA championships, Judith won the 3000m in 1977, ’78 and ’79, was second in 1984 and third in 1981 and also finished second in the 1500m championships in 1977.   She ran for Scotland on the track winning the 3000m in  her first two senior internationals against against Norway in 1977. and Greece in 1978. and there were other wins and good performances in the following years over both 1500m and 3000m 

As an international 3000m athlete she was also a very good cross-country runner who won the SWCCU title in 1978 and 1979.   She also ran for Scotland in the world cross country championships in 1977 at the age of 17.   There would have been more but for the fact that she was snapped up by Clemson University in America and did most of her running there for some of her best years.   Read her full profile  here . 

Kathryn Shepherd (Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen Univ, Edinburgh Southern, Aberdeen, Gausdal IL [Nor]24.09.57) was ranked among the best in the country over her distances of 1500 and 3000m for almost every year between 1974 and 1991.   Competitively she won the SWAAA 3000m in 1983 after being third in 1982.   Her best times were 2:16.6 for 800m, 4:30.39 for 1500m and 9:16.37 for 3000m.   She married in 1980 becoming Mrs Mearns and it was as Kathy Mearns that she ran the three world cross-country championships – 1982, ’83 and ’84.   These came after a good career in cross-country and in the years in question she had been fourth in 1982, second in 1983 and fourth in 1984 when she was representing Gausland – a Norwegian club. In 1996, Aberdeen AAC finished first team in the Scottish Masters XC Championship – Kathryn was fifth. In 2003, Kathryn won the W45 title and AAAC secured team silver.

Susan Sim,  (Victoria Park AAC)    was a member of Victoria Park in the 1970’s who specialised in the 3000m with a best time of 11:25.4.   

Maggie Sinclair  ( Glasgow AC, City of Glasgow  2.04.54)  was ranked three times for the marathon in the 1990’s: 3:08:30 in 1990 for sixth best in the country, 3:08:29 for 14th in 1991 and her personal best of 3:00:06 for fifth in Scotland in 1994.   

Sharon Sinclair   (Irvine AC, 5.09.64)   ran well in the late 1980’s, particularly over 3000m on the track where she ran 10:02.58 in 1987 and 9:47.8 in 1988.

Karen Skelton,     (Cumbernauld HS, Shettleston Harriers) was a good all round distance runner for Glasgow in the early 1980’s with a best time for 3000m on the track of 10:15.22 in 1982 which ranked her eleventh in Scotland for the distance.   

Katie Skorupska   (Fife AC,  Edinburgh Southern Harriers, Oxford University,  3.11.78) was a very good young endurance runner covering events ranging from 800m to 10000m to a very high standard indeed.   From 1996 to 2002 she turned in performances at a consistently high level with best times of  2:13.9 (800m), 4:25.70 (1500m), 9:24.26 (3000m), 10:06.16 (2 miles), 15:55.64 (5000m) and 34:40.0 (10,000m).   Nationally she was ranked 23 times over all the above events in a short period of less than 7 years: second 3 times, third 4 times and a total of 13 top ten rankings and she won the SWAAA 5000m in 1998.   All before her 24th birthday. Surprisingly for one so at home with longer distances, she did not run too often over the country although when she did, she performed well.

Marjorie Small (Clydesdale Harriers) came to the sport late but enjoyed running on the road and over the country but found that hill running was her forte and where she met with most success.   Seventh in the Fell Runner of the Year competition in 1989, she was eighth in 1990 and fourth in 1991.   

Alison Smith  (Edinburgh Southern, 11.10.65)   ran  for Edinburgh Southern Harriers in the 1990s over all middle distances  with best times of 1:39.3 (600m), 2:13.96 (800),  4:35.2 (1500m) and 10:22.9 (3000m) 

Caroline A. Smith  (Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, 23.03.68)  had best times of 2:19.1 for 800m and 4:44.3 for 1500 with an indoor 1500m of 4:48.5 indoors.

Dennise Smith, (Helensburgh, Kilbarchan 29.10.82)  ran competitively between 1997 and 2005.   On the track she had personal best times of 2:17.0 (800m), 4:36.70 (1500m), and 9:53.83 (3000m). She won the 2000 Scottish under-17 XC title. Between 1999 and 2002, Dennise Smith ran eight Junior International cross-country races for Scotland; her team defeated Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland in two Celtic Nations events. Dennise led the Kilbarchan team to bronze medals in the 2004 Senior National XC, when she finished 20th. In the 2003 Scottish Road Relay, Kilbarchan won silver; and also finished second in the 2004 Scottish Road Relay. 

Megan Smith  (Edinburgh University, 19.04.74) Megan ran for the University and raced well enough to record a 5000m time of 17:23.89, which  was ranked ninth in 1995.  She ran for Scotland in three World  Mountain Running Trophy Championships.  

Wanda Sosinska    (Edinburgh Southern 1 October 48)  Wanda was a very good athlete indeed over the country, on the road and on the track where she was ranked at distances between 800m and 3000m and the later in the Marathon.   Her best times on the track were all between 1970 and 1972 when she ran 2:21.3 for 800m,  4:34.26 for 1500m, 4:57.84 for the mile and 9:37.42 for 3000m.   She returned to the sport after a lay off and ran a very good 2:52.16 for the marathon in 1988 at a time when the standards were very high and she was ranked sixth in Scotland.   Not just a fast runner, she was a good competitor with a third in the WAAA’s championship 3000m in 1972, while back at home in the SWAAA championships she won the 3000m in 1971, was second in 1972 and had a second place in the 1500m in 1972.   Wanda also ran well across the country with sixth place in the national in 1972.    

Moira Sprang  (Bishopbriggs HS, Shettleston, Glasgow University,  02. February .68)  Moira was a good runner on all surfaces but best on the track where as a member of the British Milers Club she supported the club and benefited from it.   Best times on the track over her specialist distance of 800, was 2:13.0 in 1986 when she was just 18.

Anne M Stafford (Bathgate 1954-)   was a good middle distance runner with best track times of 63.1 for 440 yards, 2:26.3 for 800m, and 5:26.2 for the Mile.   Also a very good cross-country runner and her club, Bathgate, was going through a ‘purple patch’ at the time and the girls teams were among the prizes in all age groups from Under 13 up in almost every year with Anne being a member of several medal winning teams.   Individually, she was fourth in in the Intermediate age group in 1970.

Margaret Stafford  Aberdeen AAC (7.01.55)  was not only a good marathon runner but a good competitor.   In 1988 she ran 3:10:01 to be third in the Scottish Marathon championship and in 1989 it was 3:06:34 to be second in the championship.   One year later Margaret was timed at 3:00:32 to be ranked fifth in Scotland. In the Senior National XC, Aberdeen (including Margaret) secured team bronze in 1988 and 1990. In the Scottish Masters XC, Aberdeen won team silver in 2003.

Elizabeth Steele (Glasgow, 20.01.60)  known as Liz, she was a good class runner on all endurance running surfaces – road, country ( a very valuable team member) and track.   Her best times were 10:21,4 for the 3000m, and 3:07.21 for the marathon

Karin T. Steere (Exeter, 4.02.63)  was a good runner who was third in the SWAAA 900m in 1981, ’82 and ’83.  Karin was a good all round distance runner with ranking times at all distances from 400m to 1500m.   These were 56.0  (400m), 1:32.1  (600m), 2:04.47 (800), 2:50.17 (1000m) and 4:30.01 (1500m).   Withe a little bit of luck, she could have been a Commonwealth Games runner in 1986.

Tracy Stephen  ( Dundee Hawkhill 16.08.81) ran in the 1990’s and had a best 1500m time of 4:50.1 in 1996

Janette Stevenson (Falkirk Victoria 5.03.49) “Janette Stevenson has undoubtedly been one of the most successful Scottish veterans ever. In the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships she won eight individual titles (from W35 to W55) plus two team titles with Falkirk Victoria. Her record in the British and Irish International CC is unparalleled, improving from 4^th W35 at Wrexham in 1988 to 3^rd W40 in 1989, 2^nd W40 in 1992 and then winning four titles: 1^st W50 in 2000 and 2001 and 1^st W55 in 2005 and 2006.”   So starts her complete profile which can be accessed from the link below but it should be noted that her times on road and track stand comparison with women athletes of any age – she is not merely a very good veteran athlete.   On the track she has best times of (distance and year of performance in brackets)  4:49.73 (1500m, 1995); 10:05.3 (3000m, 1989);  36:25.03 (10,000, 1990).   Competitively, in addition to setting World, European, British and Scottish records as a veteran, Janette (below) won the Scottish 10,000m championship in 1995 at the age of 46.     Read the full profile at this link.

Sara Stevenson  (Giffnock North,12 November 82) was a good middle distance runner in the period between 1998 and 2009 with good times over distances between 400m and 1500m.   Her best times were 59.12 (400m),  2:09.39 (800m), 4:20.8 (1500m).   

Hylda Stewart (Clydesdale Harriers) has been running on the track on the road and over the country since the 1980’s at events from 1 Mile to the Marathon.   Despite living in the South West of England for several years now (which explains her results in the Dartmoor Vale Half Marathon, Plymouth Half Marathon, Torbay Half Marathon, Frome Half Marathon and several others plus a multitude of Park Runs at Parke, Exeter, Killerton, Barnstaple and many others.   

Janet Stewart (Victoria Drive School, Victoria Park AAC, Glasgow, 3 July 67) was a successful athlete running for her school and for Victoria Park AAC in the 1980’s whether you measure success by times or by competitive record.   Competing between 1982 and 1993 she won two SWAAA Championships (800m indoors and out in 1992), two silvers (second in the 800m indoors and out in 1991) and was third in the 1500m in 1984.      Best times?  57.83 (400m),  1:36.5i, (600m), 2:07.95 (800m), 4:33.0 (1500m) and, 10:42.2 (3000m), with indoor times of 59.2 (400m) and 4:45.8 (1500m)

Kirsty Stewart ( Kilmarnock 11 May 74) was a good young athlete in the late 80’s/early 90’s with a best time for 800m of 2:19.5.

Lorraine M. Stewart ( Edinburgh 17 August 76) Ranked in Scotland five times between 1989 and 1992, Lorraine had best times of 2:15.62 (800m), 4:49.93 (1500m) and 10:39.93 (3000).

Mary Stewart ( Birchfield, Lewisvale  Spartans 25 February 56) One of the famous Birmingham Stewarts, like her brother Peter Mary ran for Scotland, and ran well too, before transferring her allegiance to England in 1977.   Her track competitive record is impressive, see the following, taken from the www.scotstats.com website:  

Olympics ‘76 1500 (sf);  Eur Ind ‘74 1500 (5th), Eur Ind ‘75 1500 (6th); ’74 Commonwealth 1500 (4th). WAAA’s: 1 1500 ‘75, ‘79, 2 800 ‘76, 2 1500 ’77. SWAAA: 1 1500 ‘73, 2 800 ’74.  after change of allegiance to England: Eur ‘78 1500 (ht); Eur Ind ‘77 1500 (1st); Com ’78 1500 (1st).   Best times up to 1977 were 2:03.5 (800m), 4:06.4 (1500m), 9:07.6i (3000m).   As far as rankings go, she was never lower than eighth in the lists and had six first places, one second, and two fourths as well as a sixth.   

Over the country, she ran three times for Scotland – 1974, ’75 and ’76 and was placed 8th, 8th and 9th.   

Lynsey E. Still ( Aberdeen 19.03.78) Lynsey was a good middle distance runner for Aberdeen AAC with best times on the track of 2:16.09 (800m), 4:45.62 (1500m), and 69.11 for the 400mH.   

Rosemary O. Stirling (Bilston Town, Wolverhampton & Bilston 11.12.47)   Rosemary Stirling was one of Scotland’s most loved and respected middle distance runners, and was one of the gold medal winners at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.  Her competitive record on the track is recorded by the www.scotstats.net website as follows:

 Olympics ‘72 800 (7th), 4×400 (5th); Eur ‘66 400 (sf); Eur ‘69 400 (8th), 4×400 (1st); Eur ‘71 800 (3rd), 4×400 (4th); Eur ‘74 800 (sf); Eur Ind ‘67 800 (5th); Eur Ind ‘69 400 (3rd); Eur Ind ‘70 800 (ht); Eur Ind ‘71 800 (3rd); Eur Ind ‘73 800 (ht); Eur Ind ‘74 800 (4th); Com ’66 440y (4th), 880y (4th), ’70 800 (1st); ’74 800 (sf), 4×400 (4th). GB WAAA: 2 800 ‘71, 3 440y ‘66, ‘67, 3 800 ’73. Scottish WAAA: 1 440y ‘66, ‘67, ‘68, 1 880y ‘67, 1 800 ‘70, ‘71, ’73.       

Best times:   200m – 25.2 sec; 400m – 53.2 sec; 800m – 2:00.2; 1500m – 4:19.84; 3000m – 9:48.0.   Later on she ran the marathon between 1980 and 1985s and had a personal best of 2:43:29.   She topped the natoonal rankings no fewer than 18 times.For all those wonderful achievements, she will be most remembered here for her victory in the 19709 Games when on the last day, she won the 800m in the blue vest.   You must read the complete profile  here .

Susan Stockdale  (Edinburgh Southern 16 August 66)  was a good long distance runner specialising in 1500m and 3000m on the track in the 90’s.   She had personal best times of 4:41.5 for 1500m and 10:20.3 for 3000m.   Naturally, as a long distance runner, she ran over the country for her club too and was a member of the silver medal winning team in the 1998 national.

Primrose Stoddart,  (Shettleston Harriers) ran fo Shettleston Harriers in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.   On the track she ran 1500m and 3000m with best times of 4:41.0 and 10:17.4 with a swift 1000m in 3:00.59 in in 1981.   As a good distance runner she represented the club in many cross-country races including the national championships.

Mildred Storrar was an outstanding athlete who ran for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers in the 1930s. In the Scottish Athletics Championships, she won the 880 yards title in 1934, 1935 and 1936, as well as a silver medal (behind Connie Johnston of Maryhill Harriers) in 1933. In the Scottish Cross-Country Championships, Mildred won the title in 1934, one second in front of Connie; and DHH secured team victory. In 1935, Mildred and Dundee retained their titles. In an International cross-country match v England, Mildred Storrar finished ninth (third Scot behind Connie Johnston and Jean Tait (of Clydesdale Harriers). In 1936, Mildred won the Scottish title for the third time, but only four seconds in front of Jean Tait, who became champion in 1937. However, Mildred Storrar (representing Merchiston Ladies) regained her Scottish cross-country crown in 1938.

Lynda Stott [married name Bain], (Aberdeen, Garioch RR,  20 June, 56)

Between 1981 and 1985, improved dramatically as a marathon runner to set a Scottish National Record (2.33.38) when 7th in the 1985 London Marathon. In May 1983, she won the Motherwell Marathon (2.46.47); and followed that in September by winning the Aberdeen Marathon (and Scottish Women’s title) in 2.50.29. Lynda retained her Scottish title by winning Aberdeen again in 1984. Her 2.41.41 took three minutes off Leslie Watson’s Scottish Native record.   Then she ran for Great Britain in a Czech marathon. Then came 1985: running for Scotland in the World Cross in Lisbon; a Half Marathon best of 73.22; that superb Scottish National marathon record in London; and being part of Aberdeen AAC’s winning team in the SWCCU Scottish Road Relay Championships. Even in 1995, after years of injuries, Lynda Bain (Garioch Road Runners) won the Moray Marathon.

Lesley Svaasand (Pitreavie, 12.11.71)   was an 800 metres runner who was twice ranked  in the national lists: in 1988 she ran 2:13.97   and in 1999 she ran 2:16.08.

Audrey Sym  (Ayr Seaforth, Glasgow, Glasgow University, City of Glasgow, 2 August 66) was a good and highly respected athlete who ran for Glasgow clubs for a period of approximately ten years spanning the ’80s and 90s. Her best times were 4:46.01 for 1500m, and 9:41.0 for 3000m.   Audrey was also a good cross-country runner with several top ten places in the national championships, including individual bronze in 1993.  In the 1988 Scottish Championship Half Marathon, she finished second. Audrey ran for Scotland seven times. Four Road Internationals: 1987 Glasgow 10k; 1988 The Hague Half; 1988 Glasgow 10k – 5^th/3^rd Scot; 1993 Swansea 10k 4^th/first Scot, team beat Wales. Two cross-country Internationals: including 1996 when she finished second Scot and the Scottish team beat the English Midlands and Wales. On the track, in 1988, she raced an International 3000m v Greece and Cyprus and finished third.

Below: Stirling Castle 2018

Judith Shepherd leads Leslie Roy at Coatbridge

Eileen Radka  (St Mary’s, Bathgate 1956-) Eileen Radka was a very fast runner at an early age.   Born in 1956, she won the Scottish Junior Cross Country in 1969/70 and then won the Inter Cross-Country championship in 1970/71.   .So far so good but her track times were outstanding for her age.   In 1969 she ran 2:28.8 for 800m and and 5:28.4 for the Mile at the age of 14.   In 1971 it was 2:25.9 and 4:51.1 for 1599m.   She was ranked among the seniors for all of those times but after only one year, she left the sport. 

Jennifer Rae (Westerlands) was a good runner who was part of an excellent group of women athletes from Westerlands running the hills of Scotland.   For example she was 4th in the Scottish hill running championships of 1995, 7th in 1996 and 5th in 1997.   

Sharyn Ramage (6/8/1962, Edinburgh AC and Ayr Seaforth). She began running with Colchester Joggers and then Berlin Harriers. Returning to Scotland, she ran briefly for Pitreavie and also played netball for Edinburgh. Bill Walker coached her at Meadowbank to race 800m. In 1999, Sharyn finished second in the East District 1500m. Shortly afterwards, she won the British Masters 1500m title in Newport, Wales. In spite of being a track specialist, Sharyn ran well for Scotland in the British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country; and won the Scottish Masters W50 cross-country title in 2013.  

Margaret Reddan [AUS] (Livingston & District 9.07.52) was a very good distance runner from Australia who ran a marathon in 2:50:57 in 1989.

Beverley Redfern (Carnethy Hill Runners). She was born in 1956 in Malta; but later became a teacher in Fife. In the 1990 World Mountain Running Trophy, Bev won a superb individual gold medal, when the Scottish team secured bronze medals. Bev won the Ben Nevis race (1989), broke the Ben Lomond Hill Race record (1990), and won Coniston Fell (1993) and the famous Sierre Zinal (1993). Many years later, Beverley returned to hill-running.

Annie Reid (Cathkin HS, Shettleston 24 October 63) was one of several very good distance runners from Cathkin HS and Shettleston Harriers who ran several very fast races when comparatively young.  She had a best time of 57.9 for 400m, 2:15.7 for 800m and 4:52.62  in 1977 and 1978.   In a career that went on until 1983 she had personal bests of 57.6 and 2:12.8.

She was also a good cross-country runner (4th Inter in the National in 1979, 11th in 1980 she was a member of the third placed Shettleston team.

Anne Marie Reid (Edinburgh,    21 June 76)  was a 1500m track specialist with a best time for  1500m of 4.51.8 in 1993.

Carol Reid (Giffnock North    4 June 63) had a bets time for the marathon of 3:03:00 to be seventh fastest in Scotland in 1993.

Eileen Reid (East Kilbride 7 November 57)  was a very good middle distance runner with East Kilbride AAC in the mid-90’s with best times of 4:45.0 for 1500m (run in 1994) and 10:24.7 for 3000m (1995)

Anne Reilly ran for Ardeer Recreation Club. In 1960, she was 9^th in the Scottish Cross-Country Championships (with Ardeer finishing third team). However, Middle-distance track racing was Anne’s speciality. In both 1959 and 1960, she won the Scottish Athletics 880 yards Championship; although she ran 440 yards (finishing second) for Scotland v Northern Ireland in 1960. At the 1960 WAAA Championship at London in 1960, Anne Reilly set a new Scottish National Record of 2.17.4 for 880 yards.

Eileen Reilly (Glasgow)     ran well for Glasgow in the late 80’s with a best time for the 1500m of 4:42.3.   She was also third in the SWAAA 800mi in 1988.

Yvonne Reilly (Dundee Hawkhill,  1 August 75)    Yvonne was ranked in the Scottish lists from 1991 (at the age of 16) to 1996 (21 years old) in distances between 800m and 3000m… Best times were  59.9 (400m), 2:13.95 (800m),  4:36.14 (1500m) and 10:08.4 (3000m).   She also ran well over the country, especially as a young athlete being placed in the national championships as follows: 1989 5th Junior; 1990 2nd Junior Women; 1992 4th Intermediate.

 Toni Restanginger, (Dundee RR)  ran a good marathon of 3:18:56 in 1989 to be 20th fastest Scot.

 Louise M. Reynolds (Essex Ladies, 3.01.60) won the SWAAA 10,000m in 1988 after several years of running in Scottish events.   Her best times were 9:30.66 (3000m), 16:49.6 (5000m), 34:52.5 (10,000m) and 2:43.1 (marathon).   She became Louise Vandyck in 1988.

Sue Ridley

Anne Ridley (Ayrshire, Glasgow University, Glasgow, Shaftesbury Barnet AAC, 7 May 65)   was a fine example of the all round club endurance runner.   She represented her club on the track, on the road and over the country.  On the track she has been ranked in Scotland from 1980 through to 2003 at distances from 1500m via 3000m to 5000m with best times of 4:36.1,  9:48.4 and 17:11.4.   On the country she has run well enough to have finished in the top ten in the national championships., winning the event in season 1989/90.   

Susan P. Ridley (Edinburgh Southern, Edinburgh 25.10.65) is a very good runner who started her career in the early 1990’s, has been ranked in the top ten in her events no fewer than 24 times with over 40 appearances in the lists in total, and has won 5 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals in the Scottish championships.   In addition she has had a wonderful career as a veteran athlete.   Read her full profile at this link.   

On the country Susan has won the national; championship in 1993/94, finished second in 1992/93,  1996/96, was third in 1991/92, and 1994/95.   

Elizabeth Riley [USA] (Aberdeen University, Metro Aberdeen RC, 31 May 74)   Elizabeth’s stay in Scotland was comparatively short but she made a mark in Cross-Country (second in the 1995 Senior National) Road (second in the national 10K championships) and on the Track (35:12.14 for 10,000m).

Allison Ritchie ran for Clydesdale Harriers. In the 1933 Scottish Women’s AAA two miles cross-country championships at Hamilton Racecourse, Clydesdale (with Allison a team counter in 11^th place, finished third team. In 1935, she contributed to team silver. When the club won in 1937, Allison Ritchie had improved to fifth; and was sixth in 1938, when they won again. In the Scottish Athletics Championships, Allison finished third in the 1933 880 yards; but became Scottish Champion at that distance in 1937.

Kim Roberts  (Edinburgh, 4.06.57)  was a good runner over 800m, 1500m and 3000m in the 1970’s who came back in the 1990s as Kim Fisher to record times  that were even better.

In the 1970’s (1973 – 1975) her best times were 2:16.2 (800), 4:51.0 (1500) and 11:18.0 (3000).   After a spell away she was back between 1995 and 1996 when her best were 1:37.1 (600m), 4:41.7 (1500m) and 10:22.47 (3000m).   Competitively, Kim was third in the SWAAA 800m in 1974.

Anne Robertson, (Peebles HS, Edinburgh Southern Harriers) ran well on the track in the mid 1970s with best times of 4.58.2 for 1500m and 2.24.82 for 800m.

Catherine Robertson (N London (18.10.63) ran well in the mid 1980’s with marathon times of 2:52.03 in 1985 and 2:48:22 in 1987.   

Christine Robertson,  (Edinburgh Southern) ran for the club in the mid 1970’s with best times of 5:01.4 for 1500m and 11:22.6 for 3000m.

Jane Robertson (Westerlands) was a good cross-country and hill runner for Westerlands.   In the Scottish hill running championships, she was 5th in 1990, 12= in 1991, 13th in 1992, 6th in 1994, 15th in 1995 and 10th in 1996.

Janine Robertson,(Aberdeen) was a good marathon runner not only in terms of times run but also as a competitor with two medals in the SWAAA Marathon Championship where she was second in 1986 and third in 1985.   Her best marathon time was 3:01:57 in 1985 and on the track, her fastest 3000m was 10:23.8 in 1982. In the 1986 Scottish Road Relay Championships, Aberdeen AAC (Lynda Bain, Sonia McLaren (Armitage) and Janine Robertson) won the title.

Margaret Robertson, Ayrshire ran in the 1970s with a best time of 11.43.0 for 3000m in 1979 which ranked her 29th in Scotland

Margaret Robertson, Dundee RR  (born April 1947) ran several very good marathons in the late 1980’s and was ranked every year from 1986 to 1990 inclusive.   When she won the Black Isle Marathon in 1987, she ran 3:08:48 – a new course record. and her highest ranking was seventh in 1990. She finished second in the 1987 Dundee Marathon (3.09.04). In 1986 and 1990, she was first in the gruelling Moray Marathon. In 1992, Margaret won the Black Isle Half Marathon (1.26.25). Her fastest time however was in 1994 in Dublin when she was timed at 3:04:39.   In 1988, Margaret raced for Scottish Veterans in the very first British and Irish Masters XC International match – and in 2017 and 2018 her W70 team won bronze medals in this prestigious event. In 1995, Margaret won the W45 Scottish Masters XC title. She added W55 silver in 2003.

Marsela A. Robertson (Edinburgh Southern, 22.07.64)    She had, unfortunately, a very short career as an athlete in Scotland – unfortunate because she was very talented. She won the 1985 SWAAA 1500m and finished ninth in the 3000m at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.   Her best times were 2:10.93 (800m), 4:15.48 (1500m), 4:38.70 (Mile), 9:31.48 (3000m).   Over the country she ran for Scotland in the 1986 IAAF Cross-Country championships after finishing fourth in the SWCCU Championships at Irvine in February.

Patricia Robertson, (Brighton & Hove)   was ranked in Scottish lists in 1972 (1500m in 5.02.4) and 1973 (1500 again in 5.08.4)

Kerry E. Robinson (Woodmill HS, Dunfermline CPE, Clemson Univ (USA), Pitreavie 19.11.59) was a talented all-round distance runner who was also very popular with the other athletes.  Competing between 1973 and 1987 she was a good and successful competitor: in the SWAAA Championships, Kerry was second in the 3000m in  1979 and ‘82; third in the 1500 in ’77; and second in the  600i in ‘75.    Pictured below in 1982, her best times were 60.3 (400), 2:11.7 (800), 4:21.9 (1500), 4:50.63i (Mile), 9:05.65 (3000m), 9:58.9i (2 Miles), 16:02.76.   She was ranked in the top ten in Scotland 9 times and in the top three 5 times.

After her third run in the IAAF championships she went on a scholarship to Clemson U in America from 1980 to 1983 where she represented the University and competed in many of the best competitions in the country and won numerous honours at the actual University itself.

Over the country, she ran for Scotland in the IAAF Championships three times – in 1978, ’79 and ’80.    Her record in the domestic national championship was impressive – 1977 3rd Inter; 1978 3rd Senior, 1979  3rd; 1980 4th.

Nan Robson was a pioneer cross-country runner who competed for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers. The SWAAA first organised a Women’s XC Relay at Bothwell Castle (outside Glasgow) in 1930. DHH (including their fastest runner, Nan Robson) finished second to Shettleston Harriers. In 1931, that order remained the same. However, in 1932, when a normal race was organised at Hamilton Racecourse, the National Cross-Country Champion was Nan Robson who “ran a magnificent race”, in front of the Scottish half-mile record holder Connie Johnston and Barbara Anderson, both from Maryhill H (which was first team, in front of Dundee). Yet Dundee Hawkhill won in 1934 and 1935.

Betty Rodger ran for Shotts AC. In the 1957 Scottish National Cross-Country Championships at Craigie Estate, Ayr, Betty ran well to finish second behind Morag O’Hare and just in front of Helen Cherry. At the International match v England at Musselburgh, Betty Rodger was ninth (third Scot behind Doreen Fulton and Morag).

Alison Rose (Dundee University, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Southern, 27.09.67) was a very good runner indeed, coached by Malcolm Brown at Edinburgh University, ran all distances between 1500m and marathon and her competitive record includes racing for Great Britain in both the Athens World Cup Marathon and the Gothenburg IAAF World Marathon Championships in 1995, and a third place in the GB 10,000m in 1993.   Best times:   1500m – 4:40.6; 3000m – 9:43.37; 5000m – 16:41.51; 10000m – 33:57.86; marathon – 2:42:42.

A good cross-country runner, her Scottish Women’s National cv here includes 1992 – 2nd; 1993 – 3rd and 1996 – 5th; .   

Joanna M. Ross, (Victoria Park, Edinburgh 18 February 81)  Joanna, with her twin sister, was a member of Victoria Park AAC from childhood through to international level although she later moved to Edinburgh Southern Harriers.   Best marks: 400 – 56.69i; 2:01.84; 1500m – 4:20.09.   She had a very good competitive record too: this list is taken from the www.scotstats.net website:   GB Championships: 3rd 800i 2006.   Scottish Championships: 1st 800 ’06, 2nd 800 2000, ’01, ’02, ’07; 3rd 800 1999, ’05; 1 i800 ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’06, ’07, ’09; 1st i1500 ’08.

Over the country, she ran well as a young athlete – note the following: 1994 – 2nd Under 13; 1995 – 2nd U15; 1996 – 3rd U15.   Although she did still run cross-country the upper echelons of the sport became more specialised and Joanna had a wonderful career as an 800m runner on the track with many superb races against the very best at International level.   

Penny Rother  see  Penny Gunstone

Celia Rothero (Lochaber, 1952 -)

In 1983 Celia ran a pb for the marathon of 3.19.06

Jan Roxburgh (Irvine, 31 October 73) was a very good distance runner who started running 1500m (4:55.2) and  3000m on the track (best time of 10:21.5) in the 1990’s before making an excellent career on the road with a series of marathons between 2003 and 2013.   Her best time was 2:57:16 and she was ranked in the top 10 in Scotland three times – in 2004 she was seventh, in 2005 tenth, in 2011 fourth and 2013, fourth again.   Jan was also a good cross-country runner for her club and was a member of several medal winning teams.

Leslie A. Roy (Knightswood Sec Sch, Victoria Park, Glasgow 21 April 60) Leslie Roy is known to most athletes of the present day as a more than competent official and a really on-the-ball manager of Scottish teams but she was a good runner before that all started.   Competing between 1974 and 1983, she had best times of 2:12.6 for 800m, 444.3 for 1500m and 10:58.for 3000m.   There were also some good marks for 400m hurdles with a best of 68.07.   Read her full profile  at this link.

Donna M. Rutherford  (Kilmarnock,  Loughborough Students, 19 February 73)  

Donna was a good athlete with many good times between 1991 1993.   Best times:  1500m – 4:49.2; 3000m – 9:41.27; 5000m – 17:10.52.   As a competitor she was second in the Scottish women’s 3000m in 1992.   

Linda Rutter  (Currie HS, Edinburgh) was ranked in the low 20s in 1974 when she ran a creditable 2:22.3 for 800m.

Stirling Castle, 2020

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