Category: Uncategorized

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

EXCERPTS FROM ARTICLES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                                                                                Nearing the finish in Cockburnspath

 

 

 

Barbara Tait leads Helen Cherry (Donald) 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carol-Ann Thomson  –  see Carol-Ann Bartley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elspeth Turner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

Scottish Athletics statistician Arnold Black posted:

 “ATHLETE OF THE DAY – ALASTAIR HAY

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

 Alastair HAY (7.09.85) Central AC, Thames Valley

2002-2020 in Scottish lists

Championship Record:

Commonwealth Games 2010 1500 (12th).

Scottish: 1st 1500 2010, 1st 5000 2018

2nd 1500 2012, 2nd 5000 2015,

3rd 1500 2007, 2008, 3rd 5000 2017

East District: 1500 gold in 2013

10 Senior Track Internationals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Five Cross-Country Internationals

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

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

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

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

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

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

One Road Running International

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

Two Junior Cross-Country Internationals 2006-2007

Celtic Nations

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

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

One Junior Hill International

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

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

 

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

Scottish National Cross-Country Championships

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

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

Scottish Short Course Cross Country

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

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

 East District XC:

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

 Inter-District XC Championships

Under-17: Individual Silver 2003.

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

Scottish Cross-Country Relays

2003 Team Gold in Young Athletes event.

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

Scottish Road Relays

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

Scottish 10k Road Championships

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

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

QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME: Alastair Hay

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

DATE OF BIRTH: 07/09/1985

OCCUPATION: Physiotherapist

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET OUT OF THE SPORT?

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

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

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

YOUR WORST?

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

WHAT UNFULFILLED AMBITIONS DO YOU HAVE?

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

OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES?

Fair weather cyclist.

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

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

CAN YOU GIVE SOME DETAILS OF YOUR TRAINING?

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

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

Personal Bests:

800: 2.07.72, 1984

1500: 4.14.47, 1983

One Mile: 4.40.69, 

3000m: 9.19.4, 1983

10 miles 56.59, 1988

Half Marathon 79.54

Championship Record:

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

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

                                                                                    Violet in full stride, third from the left

Seven Scottish Track International Appearances:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Four Scottish Cross-Country Internationals 1978-81

1978 IAAF World Cross at Glasgow

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

1979 IAAF World Cross 1979 at Limerick

1979 at Glasgow, Home Countries International 17th

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

 

Scottish National Cross-Country Championships:

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

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

1981: 9^TH ESH won

1983: 6^th; ESH team silver.

1985 6^th ESH won

1987: 10^th; Edinburgh Woollen Mill team gold

1991: 6^th; team silver.

1992 16^th EWM won

Scottish Cross-Country Relay:

1984: ESH silver. 5^th fastest leg

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

1992: EWM team gold.

Scottish Road Relay:

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

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

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

 East District Cross-Country

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

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

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

1987: Individual silver.

Inter-District Cross-Country Championships:

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

 Veteran Athletics:

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

2002 British Veterans: 4^th 800M

2003 British Veterans: 3^rd 800M

2004 Scottish Veterans: 1^st 800M

2007 Scottish Veterans: 1^st 800M

         British Veterans: 2^nd 800M

2008 Scottish Veterans: 2^nd 800M

          British Veterans: 2^nd 800M

                                                                                               Violet third from the left

QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME: Violet Blair

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

DATE OF BIRTH: 4.11.56

OCCUPATION:  Maths teacher then system designer with Scottish Widows

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?

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

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

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

 WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET OUT OF THE SPORT? 

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

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

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

 YOUR WORST?

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

 WHAT UNFULFILLED AMBITIONS DO YOU HAVE?

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

 OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES?

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

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

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

 CAN YOU GIVE SOME DETAILS OF YOUR TRAINING?

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

 

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Rhona Auckland emailed Fraser Clyne in 2017 and 2019:

Sept 2017

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

August 2019

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

The Hawkins brothers have both enjoyed tremendous success, in Scotland, Britain and elsewhere. Hopefully, their careers will continue to flourish.

First, the older brother: DEREK HAWKINS.

His WIKIPEDIA entry tells us :

“Derek Hawkins won the Scottish cross-country championships in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, he ran his first marathon, competing in Frankfurt and finishing in a time of two hours 14 minutes and four seconds.

At the 2013 London Marathon, in his second competition over the distance, he was the highest placed British athlete, finishing 13^th in 2.16.51. This result qualified him for the 2013 World Athletics Championships, but Hawkins decided not to compete in Moscow, in order to focus on his preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Hawkins competed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow, Scotland, representing the host nation in the men’s marathon. He finished 9^th in a time of 2.14.15, 11 seconds slower than his personal best, but was the highest finishing British athlete in a race won the Australia’s Michael Shelley.

At the 2016 London Marathon, Hawkins finished 14^th overall, and was the third British-qualified athlete to finish in a personal best time of 2.12.57. This time was inside the qualifying time of 2.14.00, needed for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but, as he was outside of the top two British finishers, he did not achieve automatic selection for the Great Britain team. He was later chosen as a selectors’ pick for the Games and was joined in the men’s marathon by fellow British athletes, Tsegai Tewelde and Derek’s brother Callum “

(Unfortunately, hampered by a recurring injury, as well as hot and humid conditions, Derek had to battle very hard just to finish the Olympic Marathon in 2.29.24. Tsegai Tewelde dropped out.)

 

POWER OF 10

Leeds City / Kilbarchan AAC

Progression:

2003: U15 won Scottish Schools 1500m.

2005: U17 won Scottish Schools 3000m June, Grangemouth.

2005: U17 Tullamore, July, 4^th in 3000m in Schools’ International match.

2009: Career really took off. He won the U20 Scottish National XC (4 secs clear of Tsegai Tewelde)

2010: 3^rd in Scottish Senior National XC; April ran the World University CC in Canad; U23 ran for GB in the European CC in Portugal.

2011: U23 ran Celtic Nations XC’ Won Scottish Senior National XC; for GB ran the World Cross in Spain and the European Cross in Slovakia.

2012: won the Scottish Senior National XC; won the Home Countries International XC; completed the Frankfurt Marathon in 2.14.04.

2013: won the Scottish 10,000m Championship at Grangemouth 30.24.58.

2016: Personal best Half Marathon (1.03.53) at Ostia, Italy.

2019 6^th in the Scottish National XC Championships. Personal best marathon at Frankfurt (2.12.49).

 

Derek HAWKINS (29.04.89) Kilbarchan, Leeds City

Championship Record:

Olympics 2016 Marathon (114th);

Commonwealth 2014 Marathon (9th).

British: 1st Marathon 2013, 3rd Marathon 2016.

Scottish: 1st 10,000m 2013, 3rd Marathon 2016.

 

In the annual Scottish lists, Derek Hawkins was ranked first in the marathon (2012, 2013 and 2014).

Derek won: the Scottish Under-15 1500m in 2003; and the Under-17 3000m in 2005.

In the Scottish Schools Championships, he won the Group C 1500m in 2003; and the Group B 3000m in 2005.

 

Scottish International appearances:

 6 Junior International XC vests (Celtic Nations 2004-11, Home Countries 2009)

In the Celtic Nations at Ayr v Wales and NI in 2004, Derek Hawkins was part of the winning Scottish Under-17 team; in 2005 he was second and his Under-17 team won again; In 2009 he finished third Under-23; in 2010 at Antrim, he was second and led the Scottish Under-23 team to victory over Wales, Ulster and Ireland; in 2011 at Dublin, he finished second and led the Scottish Under-23 team to victory over Ireland and Wales.

At Bangor, Wales in 2009, he won the Home Countries Junior XC match and led Scotland to victory over England and Wales.

2 Senior International XC vests:

In 2010 at Drogheda, Ireland, v USA, Poland, Ireland, Wales and Finland Derek finished fourth (first Scot, one second in front of his brother Callum). Scotland was third, in front of Ireland, Wales and Finland.

In 2012 at Giffnock, Derek Hawkins won the Home Countries International and led Scotland to team victory against England and Wales.

 2 Senior International Road vests:

At Glasgow in the 2014 Commonwealth Games Marathon, Derek finished 9^th and First Briton in 2.14.15.

At Armagh in 2015, he finished 8^th (First Scot) in an International 5k race.

 

Scottish National XC Championships:

Derek Hawkins won the Under-15 title in 2003 and 2004. Kilbarchan AAC won the team both years.

In the Under-17 category, he was second in 2005 and Kilbarchan won.

In the Under-20 category, Kilbarchan won in 2007; and the team secured silver medals in 2009, led by Derek, who won gold.

As a Senior, Derek Hawkins was third in 2010 and won the title in 2011 and 2012.

 

Scottish XC Relay Championships:

In the Senior event, Kilbarchan (including Derek) secured bronze medals in 2008.

 

West District XC Championships:

Derek Hawkins won: the Under-15 title in 2003; and the Senior title in 2012.

 

Scottish Six-Stage Road Relay Championships:

In the Senior event, Kilbarchan (including Derek) won the title in 2015.

                   Left to right: Callum Hawkins, Tsegai Tewelde and Derek Hawkins after the 2016 London Marathon.

(BBC SPORT reported on the 26th of April, two days after the London Marathon.)

“Derek Hawkins had a nervous wait to find out if he would be a selectors’ pick, he told BBC Scotland: “I was in my bed when I got a phone call early this morning; I was elated.

“When I crossed the line, I was the third Brit and just out of the automatic selections, but I ran a PB and you feel that you have justified your selection.

“But it is a matter for the selectors, so it out of your control and you are sitting there thinking for a couple of days.”

Callum Hawkins, 23, finished eighth in the London Marathon in a new personal best of 2:10:52 and hailed it as a great achievement for their father, Robert, who is also their coach.

“Before Sunday, he was a bag of nerves and probably more nervous than us,” he said. “To get us both in is huge.

“To have your training partner and brother in the same race at the Olympic Games is going to be unbelievable.”

Asked what his target would be in Rio, the younger Hawkins said: “In a perfect world, top 20, but it is going to be really tough and conditions are going to be pretty tough – something I’ve never experienced before in a marathon.”

Tsegai Tewelde, a Glasgow-based Eritrean who claimed asylum in Britain in 2008, ran 2:12:23 to finish 12th in what was his first marathon.

It caps a remarkable story for the 25-year-old, who still bears the scars on his forehead from a landmine that exploded next to him when he was eight, killing his friend.

“It’s massive for me,” said Tewelde. “It’s exciting to be part of the British team and I’m very happy.”

 

Now CALLUM HAWKINS:

                                                                         Callum Hawkins in the 2016 Olympic Marathon

WIKIPEDIA: 

This is only the introduction:

“Callum Hawkins is a British distance runner, who competed in the marathon at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He is the Scottish record holder in the marathon and the British all-time number three at that distance behind Mo Farah and Steve Jones. Hawkins is also the all-time Great Britain number two (and European all-time number six) in the half marathon. He is the Great Scottish Run course record holder and was the first British man to win that event in 23 years.”

NOW CONSULT CALLUM HAWKINS’ FULL WIKIPEDIA to gain a clear understanding of his impressive achievements in Athletics.

POWER OF 10

   Major Championships and International Championships:

2009: European Youth Olympic Festival – 3000m Gold; European XC Championships – U20 7^th

2010: World XC U20 Championships – 47^th

2013: European XC Championships – 7^th

2014: Commonwealth Games – 10,000m 20^th; European XC Championships – 5^th

2016: Olympic Games – Marathon 9^th; European XC Championships – Bronze; IAAF World Half Marathon Championships – 15^th; European Athletics Half Marathon Championships – 9^th.

2017: IAAF World Championships – Marathon 4^th.

2018: Commonwealth Games – Marathon dnf

2019 – IAAF World Championships – Marathon 4^th.

 

Domestic Championships:

2009: England U20 Championships – 5000m 4^th

2013: British XC Championships 6^th; Scottish Championships – 5000m 4^th.

2014: Scottish XC Championships – Gold

2015: Scottish XC Championships – Silver

2017: Scottish XC Championships – Gold

2018: The Big Half Marathon – Bronze

MARATHONS:

24/4/2016 London, 2.10.52 8th

21/8/2016 Olympic Games, Rio, 2.11.52 9^th

6/8/2017 World Championships, London, 2.10.17 4^th

15/4/2018 Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast, Did Not Finish

24/4/2019 London, 2.8.14 (Scottish record) 10^th

6/10/2019 World Championships, Doha, 2.10.57 4^th

(Personal Best Half Marathon: 2020 at Marugame, Japan. 60.01 [Scottish record] third)

Callum HAWKINS (22.06.92) Kilbarchan, Butler University (USA)

Championship Record:

Olympics: 2016 Marathon (9th);

European: 2016 Half Marathon (9th);

World: 2017 Marathon (4^th);

World 2019 Marathon (4th);

Commonwealth Games 2014 (for Scotland) 10,000m (20th);

Commonwealth Games 2018 Marathon (dnf).

British: 1st Marathon 2016, 2nd Marathon 2019.

Scottish: 1st Marathon 2016; 1st 3000m Indoors 2014.

Scottish Schoolboys: won Group B 3000m 2008.

 

Four Scottish Junior Cross-Country vests: Celtic Nations: 2007 at Belfast, Under-17. 7^th (second Scot); 2008 at Edinburgh, Under-17. 2^nd (first Scot). Scotland won, beating Ireland, Wales and Ulster; 2009 at Cardiff, Under-20. Callum won, leading Scotland to victory; 2010 at Antrim, Under-20. Callum won, as did Scotland.

One Scottish Senior International vest for Cross-Country at Drogheda in 2010. Callum finished 5^th, one second behind Derek. Scotland lost to USA and Poland but beat Ireland, Wales and Finland.

Three Scottish Senior International vests on the road: 2013 at Leeds 10k. Callum finished third (second Scot); 2014 at Leeds 10k. Callum finished second to Andy Butchart; 2018 Commonwealth Marathon, dnf.

 

Scottish National XC Championships:

Kilbarchan AAC won the Under-15 team title in 2006, when Callum was fifth; team silver in 2007, but Callum won individual gold.

In the Under-17 category: Kilbarchan won team gold in 2008 (Callum was 4^th); in 2009 it was individual gold and team silver.

In the Under-20 category: in 2010 Callum won individual gold and team silver.

As a Senior, Callum Hawkins won the title in 2014 and 2017; plus a silver medal in 2015 (behind Andy Butchart).

 

Scottish XC Relay Championships:

Kilbarchan (including Callum) won the Young Athletes event in 2007 and 2008 plus silver in 2009.

In the Senior Relay, in 2009 and 2014, Kilbarchan (including Callum and Derek) secured bronze medals. These were was upgraded to silver in 2018 and 2019.

 

West District XC Championships:

Callum Hawkins won: the Under-15 title in 2006; and the Under-17 in 2008.

 

Inter-District XC Championships:

Callum won: the Under-15 title in 2007; and the Under-17 in 2009.

 

Scottish Six-Stage Road Relay Championships:

Kilbarchan (including Derek and Callum) won the title in 2015.

 

Andy Butchart is a world-class Scottish athlete whose career continues to be successful. At present, he has a very good chance of racing at the 2021 Olympic Games in Japan. Below are a number of his achievements so far.

                                                                                  Andy Butchart in the 2016 Olympic 5000m

Wikipedia.

“Andrew Butchart (born 14^th October 1991) is a British runner who competed in the 5000m event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He is the current Scottish record holder in the 3000m and 5000m events. Butchart lived in Dunblane, the same town as Andy and Jamie Murray.

He trained at with the Central Athletic Club in Stirling. At the age of 16, Butchart came third in the Scottish Schools cross-country championships. He won the 2014 Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash. Butchart won his first professional race in the 5000m at the 2015 Scottish Athletics Championships; he also finished second in the 1500m. In June 2015, he was selected for the European 10,000m Cup, despite having never previously run this event on the track. He also finished third in the 3000m at the European Team Championships in Moscow. In November 2015, he won the Scottish Short Course cross-country championships.

Butchart became a full-time athlete at the beginning of 2016, leaving a fitness coaching job based at Gleneagles Hotel. In February 2016, he won the Scottish National cross-country championships; and in May, he broke Nat Muir’s Scottish record in the 5000m. Butchart’s time was 13.13.30, four seconds faster than Muir’s record, which had stood for 36 years. Butchart ran the last lap with only one shoe. In June 2016, he broke the Scottish 3000m record at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Birmingham. Butchart recorded a time of 7.45.00, less than a second quicker than John Robson’s record from 1984. Later in the month, he won the 5000m at the British Championships and qualified for the 5000m event at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Andy Murray, Jamie Murray and Andy Butchart – all from Dunblane – qualified for those Olympic Games. Butchart qualified for the 5000m Olympic final, after finishing fifth in his heat in a time of 13.20.08; and finished sixth in the final, recording a personal best of 13.08.61. In 2016, he also won the London 10,000m race.

Butchart won a bronze medal at the 2017 European cross-country championships. He was scheduled to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, but had to withdraw due to a broken foot. Butchart led the British team in the 2019 European cross-country championships, finishing fifth. He qualified for the 5000m final at the World Athletics Championships. In March 2021, he reached the final of the 3000m at the European Athletics Indoor Championships held in Torun, Poland.”

 

POWER OF 10:

“He improved his 5000m PB by 21 seconds in 2016, moving from 66^th to second on the GB all-time lists. Winner of four GB titles at Senior level.

Records: Scottish 3000m National Record 7.37.56; Scottish 5000m NR 13.06.21 (2019); Scottish 3000m Indoor NR 7.41.05; Scottish 2 Miles Indoor NR 8.12.63.

Major Championships:

2015: European XC Championships 35^th

2016: European XC Championships 5^th; Olympic Games 5000m 6^th; World XC Championships 88^th.

2017: European XC Championships Bronze; World Championships 5000m 8^th.

2019: European XC Championships 5^th; World Championships: 5000m 7^th Heat 1; European Indoor Championships 3000m 10^th.

Domestic Championship Record:

2009: England U20 Championships 5000m 7^th.

2010: Scottish Championships 1500m 11^th; England U23 Championships 5000m 14^th; Scottish Championships 1500m 4^th.

2011: Scottish Championships 1500m 4^th; England U23 Championships 1500m 7^th.

2012: England U23 Championships 1500m 5^th Heat 1.

2013: Scottish Championships 1500m Silver; British Championships 1500m 12^th Heat 2; England U23 Championships 1500m 5^th.

2014: British Championships 1500m 7^th Heat 1.

2015: Scottish Championships 1500m Silver, 5000m Gold; British Championships 5000m 4^th; British Indoor Championships 3000m 5^th.

2016: British Championships: 5000m Gold.

2017: British Championships 5000m Gold.

2019: British Championships 5000m Gold; British Indoor Championship 3000m Bronze.”

 

Scottish Athletics Ranking Lists 2009-2019.

In the annual Scottish ranking lists, Andy Butchart was first in the 5000m (2015-2019, apart from 2018); first in the 3000m (2015-2019).

 One Scottish Track International: 2013 – One Mile v Wales and England – 3^rd (4.05.40).

One Scottish Junior Cross-Country International: 2013 Celtic Nations at Cardiff (Under-23). Andrew finished in 2^nd place (first Scot). Scotland lost to Wales on countback but beat Ulster.

One Scottish Senior Road International: 2014 at Leeds. Andrew won the 10k (by five seconds from Callum Hawkins).

Scottish Senior National Cross-Country Championships:

Central AC (with Andy) won team gold in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. He won individual medals: silver in 2014; and gold in 2015 and 2016.

Scottish Short Course XC Championships:

Andy Butchart won gold in 2015; and also in 2016, when he led Central to the team title. In 2020, Andy and Central won individual and team titles again.

Scottish XC Relay:

Central AC (with Andy) won the team title 2012-2016 inclusive.

East District XC Championships:

Andy Butchart won the title in 2015, when Central AC secured team gold.

Scottish Six-Stage Road Relay Championships:

Central AC (with Andy) won silver in 2011; gold in 2013 and 2014.

Scottish 5k Road Championship: Andy Butchart won in 2013.

Scottish 10k Road Championship: Andy won the title in 2014.

Wikipedia states: “Robbie Simpson is a British male long-distance runner who competes in marathon and mountain running events. He was a silver medallist at the 2014 European Mountain Running Championships and a bronze medallist at the 2015 World Mountain Running Championships. Representing Scotland, he won his first international marathon medal (a bronze) at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Simpson has competed five times at the European Mountain Running Championships (2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) and five times at the World Mountain Running Championships (2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015). He won the 2016 and 2018 editions of the Jungfrau Marathon and ranking in the top twenty at the 2016 and 2017 London Marathon. He holds a personal best of 2.14.56 for the marathon.” (There is more detail on the wiki page.)

                                                                        Robbie during the 2017 London Marathon

 

2015 World Mountain Running Championships at Betwys-y-Coed, Wales:

Individual bronze: Robbie Simpson. Team bronze: Great Britain (Robbie Simpson 3rd, Andy Douglas 6th, Chris Smith 10th, Thomas Adams 27th.

 Second in the 2011 Commonwealth Mountain Running Championships at Llanberis, Wales.

As an under-15 in 2006, Robbie Simpson ran track events between 400m and 3000m in Aberdeen, Inverness and Grangemouth, where he finished fourth (4.22.09) in the 1500m at the Scottish Schools Championships.

In 2007, as an under-17, he improved his times and added 5000m and Cross-Country.

In 2008, still under-17, he raced 29 times (including 15 hill races), winning the Aboyne Hill Race, Scolty, and finishing fourth in the British and Irish Junior Championships, with three under-20s ahead of him. This gained selection for the World Mountain Running Championships at Crans Montana, Switzerland.

From 2009, (DO READ HIS POWER OF 10 PAGE) his International Hill Racing career continued to flourish, along with a number of 10k road races, winning the Ballater 10 miles and taking part in the UK Cross Challenge in Liverpool.

Since then, apart from Robbie’s many successes on the hills and mountains, he was: first under-20 in the 2011 East District XC; at under-23 won the 2013 Great Edinburgh XC (Scottish Inter-District Championships) title; won a silver medal at the 2013 Scottish National XC Championships; won the 2013 Tom Scott 10 miles and the Jim Dingwall Round the Houses 10k; won the 2014 Inverness Half Marathon (66.03); the 2018 Inverness Half (64.27); in the London Marathon ran 2.15.38 in 2016, 2,15.04 in 2017, 2.14.56 in 2019 and 2.15.26 at Kew Gardens in 2021.

Robbie SIMPSON (14.11.91) Banchory Stonehaven, Deeside Runners

2016 Mar 2:15:38 4^th in the annual Scottish rankings

2017 Mar 2:15:04 3rd

2018 Mar 2:19:36 First

2019 Mar 2:14:56 3^rd

 

Championship Record:

Commonwealth Games 2018 Marathon (3rd).

Great Britain: 2nd Marathon 2017.

Scottish: 1st Marathon 2017

One Junior Scottish XC International: 2013 Celtic Nations at Cardiff. Robbie finished 7^th (third Scot) and Scotland lost narrowly (on countback) to Wales but beat Ulster.

Two Senior Scottish Road Internationals:

At Armagh in 2015 over 5km;

On 15^th April 2018 at Gold Coast, Australia: Commonwealth Games Marathon, bronze medal in 2.19.36. 

                                                                                    Photo by Bobby Gavin.

On his Facebook page, Robbie Simpson wrote:

“Here’s a (fairly lengthy) blog about my time in Australia for the Commonwealth Games and the build-up period over the winter. I’ve been terrible at keeping people updated so this is long overdue!

After the last mountain running season, I switched my training towards marathon with the hope of being picked for Scotland for the Commonwealth Games team. When the news did come that I was in the team in December it was a huge boost. I’d had 2-3 weeks of getting over a slight injury and once the team selections came out I didn’t notice it again! Towards the end of 2017 I’d been struggling with my form, I thought things were going well in training but every time I underperformed in the races and it made me doubt if I was going in the right direction.

I had a 5-week training camp to look forward to in Spain at the start of 2018 and that was where I was determined to get things on track. I was staying with Dan Studley who was training for a half marathon so we linked up on some of the sessions which helped a lot. The place we stayed was a small town in the mountains called Calasparra which turned out to be an amazing place for running with trails, roads and delicious local rice! After a few weeks of 120 miles a week and some big sessions I felt a lot more confident. Dan went on to run a big PB of 64.23 so I knew the sessions we’d done had been solid.

Coming back to Scotland in February was nice, but it was only 5 weeks until leaving for Australia so I just had to tick off the big sessions day by day. To begin with it was great but I remember doing a session of 6 x 2km when the snow started heavily. By the last two reps the roads were covered in 10cm of wet snow and on the hilly bits and tight corners I was sliding around all over the place! That snow didn’t last long but then the Beast from the East came shortly after and interrupted things again.

At that point there were just a few key sessions I needed to do before my half marathon at Inverness and then it would be another 5 days before I finally got to Australia and avoided the never-ending winter! So I flew to Barcelona for five days and got my last hard training done in the sunshine instead of wading through more snow. Inverness was one of my most satisfying victories. After months of never quite knowing if I was in good shape, I ran a PB and new course record of 64.27. Then it was job done in Scotland and just a case of adapting to the climate in Australia in the final four weeks to the marathon…

I didn’t quite appreciate how hot and humid it would be, especially coming from a cold winter when 5 degrees has felt like a hot day! The first days were tough, just running easy. It’s better I don’t say how slow my first interval session was! After 9 days out there, I did a 2hr 15 long run with tempo running at the end and I faded so badly that the last part (which was meant to be the quickest) was barely faster than the easy pace I started at. In that run I’d lost around 4kg through sweating and that was after drinking every 10-15 minutes. It was useful to learn these lessons early on so we could come up with a strategy to keep as cool as possible. Myself and Callum had a few ideas involving white caps and ice or any way we could get it. During this time, I stayed in an apartment with the other Scottish endurance guys and it was great to learn how everyone prepared and see how hard they work.

After two weeks in Australia something changed overnight and all at once I was able to handle the heat. I still sweated tons but my pace didn’t drop off suddenly when trying to run hard sessions. This gave me extra confidence as it got closer to the race. The final sessions went brilliantly and it felt like things were coming together nicely. Even better was that we’d managed to source a pile of white Salomon caps to use in the marathon to keep us cool. Moving to the Athletes’ Village and being around thousands of other athletes was a bit of a shock after a month of hiding away on a training camp with a few other guys! The best thing was the 24-hour canteen with all kinds of foods (including cereal!).

Race day was meant to be the hottest day of our trip to Australia, a max of 32 degrees. After the four weeks out there, we decided that it was an advantage that it was hot, since we should be better adapted than others and not running scared. We also had the confidence to adapt our race strategy and run slower while others may run too quick too soon then overheat. It’s easy saying that now but it was impossible to predict how things would play out and I never would have predicted the outcome that happened.

Once the race had started, I let the lead pack go at 5km and tried to maintain a constant effort throughout, gradually reeling people in over the second half but keeping a bit in the tank for the last push from 35km onwards. I got so much support when people saw my Scotland vest as they’d seen Callum leading a few minutes (or at least 5 minutes!) earlier – it actually gave me a big boost to know he was doing so well. At 39km I would have been around 6th but I’d heard the leader had stopped (hoping it wasn’t him) and I could see two guys within reach. I wasn’t able to do the maths at that point but luckily someone said a medal was possible for the guy I was about to overtake so I realised it could be mine.

I stayed focused on my goal of catching the next runner before the end; luckily there were a few small hills to look forward to which helped. Soon after getting into 3^rd, I saw it was Callum on the ground and it was a horrible feeling. At that stage I didn’t know how serious it was or what exactly was wrong but saw he had medical with him. Seeing the footage afterwards was a lot more distressing.

The only option was to get to the finish as fast as possible and make sure Scotland could still get a medal. There was a lot going through my head at that point so, when I finally reached the finishing straight in third place, after everything that happened it was surreal. It was pure joy but mixed with a feeling of sadness and concern for Callum. My girlfriend and my parents were out there supporting me and it was amazing to enjoy that success with them after the hard work over the years and many setbacks on the way!

A few others who I really appreciated the support from in the build-up and on race day – Fraser Clyne for the encouragement and support over many years and the pre-race message saying the tough conditions would suit me and a result like this would be possible. Mike Johnston for joining me on the bike during every session in Australia with drinks, support and also keeping an eye on my training progress. Callum for the advice, encouragement and entertainment in the build-up. I look forward to seeing his return and future medals. Joe Morwood – for the early morning off-road runs and company in the final key sessions. To the guys I stayed with, in the Team Scotland training camp (Guy, Chris and Jake) and the rest of the athletes and support staff for looking after us, especially Peter Matthews for arranging that post race pizza! And finally, to everyone who supported me over the years to this point and everyone who was there on the streets of Gold Coast or watching at home. And thanks to Bobby Gavin for the brilliant photos.

Now I’ve had a few easy weeks and plan to get back on the mountains for the summer. Thanks for reading!”

 

(In the 2019 European Mountain Running Championship, 23 year-old Jacob Adkin (Edinburgh University, Keswick) secured an excellent individual gold. He was backed by fellow Scots Robbie Simpson (7^th) and Andy Douglas (9^th) and GB won team gold.)