Giffnock’s Men Denied Top Spot…by a Toaster!
Giffnock’s Men put in an awesome effort on Sunday to secure second spot in Scottish League Division 2 at Grangemouth, our highest position in years.
We had brilliant league debuts from our U17 Speed King Finlay Waugh, 1-lap expert Kyle Alexander, High-Jumper Nassor Salim, sprinter Russell Lawson and Blayne Wright, who seems to set a PB every time he sets foot on the track. There was also a welcome return to the League Team for Andrew Love (nice 1500 PB) and Nicola Gajic with a brilliant victory following long term injury.
Teeth-grittingly gutsy runs came from Jack “28 laps” Bell and Colin “bring your step-ladders” Wylie in the Steeplechase. And we had the usual absolute rock solid performances from our regulars – Ethan Carolan, Eoghan O’Donnell sneeking in a 400m PB before his Gothenburg trip, Neil Hutchison busy all day in the field and Calum William so close to a sub- 11s 100m.
As league event are all about the points, the Giffnock North man-of-the-match by a country-1500m was Donald MacLean. Expecting only to run as a guest in the 800m, due to injuries, Donald found himself promoted to the 800M B race, catapulted into both horizontal jumps and thrust into the 4×100 relay. Without plugging these gaps, we would have been pushed into third place. Well done Donald!
And the Toaster? In a bizarre Saturday night culinary catastrophe, pole-vaulter Fraser O’Rourke managed to toast his hand, not the bread and regrettably had to withdraw before the competition started. If Fraser had been able to vault, his points would have leap-frogged into first place. Next time just have a piece and jam.
A big thank you to Danny O’Donnell, Anne Stewart and Philip Hutchison, our officials, who had to put up with 4 seasons in 1 hour.
While this was Giffnock’s best performance in years, and the team had a ball…. I want us to do better, and I need your help. We had a great turnout on Sunday, but we still didn’t fill every team slot. We need more steeplechasers and 10,000 metre runners, and we could do with more guest runners in all the events to give us cover when injury strikes on the day. Donald is an excellent example of how a guest can save the day. So look out for the call-up call emails for Match 3 (21st July) and Match 4 (31st Aug), and we’ll hoover up every point get Giffnock promoted back into Division 1 where we belong.
Gerry Duggan, Men’s League Team Manager
Scottish Schools GNAC Medal winners
Girls 75 Metre Hurdles Girls D
2 Emily Watson Mearns Castle HS 12.43
Girls 800 Metre Girls C Final
3 Isla Scott 14 St Ninian’s 2:24.21B
Girls Pole Vault Girls C
1 Isla Fotheringham Glasgow Academy 2.60m New Club Record
Girls 100 Metre Girls B Final
1 Alyson Bell 15 Eastwood HS 12.30B winning the George Aithie trophy for her Outstanding performance.
Girls 200 Metre Girls B
1 Alyson Bell Eastwood HS 24.56 New Club Record
Girls 300 Metre Girls B
1 Katie Foss 16 Biggar HS 41.08B
Girls B 1500m Steeplechase
2 Helen Chong Eastwood HS 5.31.85
Girls 3000 Metre Girls B
Section 1 1 Julia Cash 15 Hutchesons’ 10:15.29B
Girls 1500 Metre Girls A
3 Clare Wallace 17 Eastwood HS 5:11.80
Girls Shot Putt Girls A
2 Ellie Lonergan-Black 17 Hutchesons’ 9.95mB
Boys 80 Metre Hurdles Boys D
1 Daniel Martin St Aloysius College 12.23
Boys 1500 Metre Boys C
2 Reuben Macdonald Hillpark Sec 4:20.60
Boys 100 Metre Boys B
1 Finlay Waugh 16 Annan Academy 11.25B
Boys 200 Metre Boys B
1 Finlay Waugh Annan Academy 22.29
Boys 1500 Metre Boys B
3 Harris Paterson 15 Mearns Castle HS 4:13.06
Boys 3000 Metre Boys B
2 Ethan Carolan 16 Shawlands Academy 9:23.52
Boys 100 Metre Hurdles Boys B
1 Reuben Nairne 16 Williamwood HS 13.83B
Boys Pole Vault Boys B
1 Reuben Nairne Williamwood HS 4.05m
Boys High Jump Boys B
1 Murray Fotheringham 16 Glasgow Academy 1.90mB
Boys Long Jump Boys B
2 Murray Fotheringham Glasgow Academy 6.36m -0.3
Boys 3000 Metre Boys A
3 Ben Shaw 18 Mearns Castle HS 8:58.59.
THE EVER POPULAR Giffnock North AC Festival of Running returned for its 27th edition in leafy Rouken Glen Park last Thursday, and in almost perfect weather 527 entrants completed the testing 10k event. Cambuslang Harriers’ Iain Reid was first home, claiming a fourth victory in a row in a rapid 33 minutes and 15 seconds, ahead of unattached U20 runner Keiran Cooper and Cambuslang team-mate Michael Healy.
First Giffnock North runner over the line was Niall Fraser in fourth overall. With the two Cambuslang men ahead of him being veterans over 40, Fraser duly claimed the Senior Men’s crown and led clubmates Michael Cross and Ruairidh Maclean to the senior men’s team award for the host club.
First female was Rhona Mowatt in a commendable 39 minutes and three seconds, the Giffnock North teenager and international hill runner taking the U20 prize into the bargain. First Senior Lady was Amy Ritchie of Glasgow Triathlon Club in second place overall, followed by Migo Sports’ Jenny Brown. We were honoured to have GB Olympian Lee McConnell starting the early-evening Primary School races and awarding prizes in the Secondary School Races in the sunshine.
The “To The Pond and Beyond” 2.5k charity races for secondary school students attracted well over 100 runners, all vying for the £500 cheque for the school with most finishers, the money going to the charity of the school’s choice. Hillpark Secondary were triumphant, lining up more than half the starters, including the winner of the boys’ race, Reuben Macdonald. St Ninian’s High School’s Esme Dougall won the girls’ race.
A Hillpark Secondary spokesperson said, “Many thanks to Giffnock North for organising this event, the kids enjoyed themselves thoroughly and are delighted to put the £500 towards our efforts for charity work in Malawi.”
For Giffnock North AC a spokesperson said, “Hats off to all the runners – 527 finishers is one of our best ever totals in the 10k, and the schools charity turn-out sets a great new standard too. Thanks go to our major sponsors Specsavers and C Hanlon, and to our hard-working officials and volunteers, and the ever-helpful East Ren Parks Department, without whom this event could not happ
Report by James Turnbull
Success at u12s 4xFun Invitational
Giffnock North had a 30 strong squad of athletes competing in the second annual tri-club invitational event hosted this year by our friends at Kilbarchan AC.
4 girls teams and 3 boys teams took part in 4 events (75m, Long Jump, Javelin and 4x100m Relay).
This event is the first opportunity for some of our younger athletes to experience competition in a relaxed setting and despite the miserable bank holiday weekend weather there were lots of smiling faces to brighten the day.
Gold was taken by our girls team of Leilani Spelman Ikedashi,Maya Johnson,Isla Ross and Hannah Turnbull and our boys teams of Alfie Bradley,Oliver Bryers,Max McKie,Martin Rolfe achieved the gold team prize with silver medals for Daniel Cree, Keiran Mahindru, Aaron Reid & Mathew Snowden.
Congratulations to all who took part!
Many,many thanks to Margaret Ann McLachlan, Jeni Thomson, the entire team at Kilbarchan AAC, & Janice Hendrie from Inverclyde for organising this great competition and of course our Coach team led by James Turnbull,of Gillian Pollock, Patricia Gallagher, Caroline Bradley and parent helpers.
Alessandro Schenini
Fraser Angus
Adam Clayton
Report from Ryan McAllister
Sunday 19th May saw the annual Loughborough International Athletics Meeting take place, where teams from England, Wales, Loughborough, GB Juniors, British Universities and Scotland compete against one another. This year, Giffnock North had three athletes selected to compete. Alessandro Schenini gained selection for GB Juniors whilst Fraser Angus and Adam Clayton both gained selection for the Scotland team.
In his first competition of the outdoor season, Alessandro remained calm and composed to jump 7.37m; his best outdoor jump to date. This was an excellent start to the season for Alessandro and sets himself up well for the season ahead. This was all the more positive following Alessandro’s hamstring tear at the end of the indoor season. A dramatic conclusion to the 4x200m indoor relay at the British University Championships saw Alessandro claim the silver medal for Strathclyde University tearing his hamstring with 15m to go. Following successful rehab, prescribed by physio Eilidh Dorrian (a former Giffnock North athlete), this past weekend’s performance shows that he is back on form.
Alessandro’s two training partners; Fraser Angus and Adam Clayton started their day off competing in the 4x100m relay for Scotland. As members of the 2022 Commonwealth Development squad, the two athletes competed on legs 1 and 2 positioning the Scottish team in the mix at the end of the changeover of leg 2. The team finished a respectable fourth place, which builds momentum looking towards relay races later in the season. Following the relay, both athletes competed in the 100m races where, coincidently, they both ran 10.76 in different races.
The three athletes now have their sights fixed firmly on the England Championships in Bedford at the end of June where they will all look to gain selection for the European Junior Championships which take place in July.
Photos courtesy of Bobby Gavin, can be seen of the athletes in action.
Apologies for the delay in posting this and well done to Alessandro Adam and Fraser, all members of Ryan’s Training squad.
Report and request from Sharon Veitch. Get your tickets now
🇸🇪Youth Games🇸🇪
🇸🇪Gothenburg, Sweden 🇸🇪
Thank you everyone for supporting us through Waitrose Matters Scheme. We collected enough tokens to raise £190 which we will receive a cheque for in the next few weeks.
Additionally we have succeeded in gaining a few major sponsors resulting in us being able to provide all 41 athletes and 9 coaches with 1/4 Zip outer top and 4 T-shirt’s all displaying sponsor logos for the upcoming trip.
The last push for fundraising is a Charity Race Night at the GHA.
We will also be holding a raffle on the night with some fantastic prizes including lunch vouchers, shopping vouchers, spa treatments, overnight hotel stay and even some Erin Wallace GB Kit up for grabs!!
If you would like to buy a ticket and support our athletes in this amazing opportunity to compete at an international event please contact me at
sharon_veitch@yahoo.co.uk.
Your support is much appreciated.
Sharon Veitch
Gothenburg Fundraising Committee.
| Gold Medals | Amber Wade | u13G | 800m |
| Ryan Davie | u13B | High Jump | |
| Felix Chan | u13B | 100m | |
| Craig Shennan | u13B | 800m | |
| Isla Fotheringham | u15G | Pole Vault | |
| Hannah Ryding | u15G | 1500m | |
| Angelica Mayer | u15G | 100m | |
| Daniel Martin | u15B | Pole Vault | |
| Daniel Martin | u15B | 80m Hurdles | |
| Alyson Bell | u17W | 100m | |
| Alyson Bell | u17W | 200m | |
| Katie Foss | u17W | 300m | |
| Racel Callan | u17W | 300m Hurdles | |
| Reuben Nairne | u17M | 100m Hurdles | |
| Murray Fotheringham | u17M | Discus | |
| Finlay Waugh | u17M | 100m | |
| Finlay Waugh | u17M | 200m | |
| Sam Young (?) | u20M | High Jump | |
| Rachel Alexander | Sen. Women | Long Jump | |
| Nikki Manson | Sen. Women | Javelin | |
| Silver Medals | Katy Donnelly | u13G | 1200m |
| Cara Weir | u13G | High Jump | |
| Ryan Davie | u13B | Long Jump | |
| Jack Wallace | u13B | 800m | |
| Isla Scott | u15G | 800m | |
| Angelica Mayer | u15G | 200m | |
| Angelica Mayer | u15G | Long Jump | |
| Reuben MacDonald | u15B | 1500m | |
| Mark Herbert-Ruiz | u15B | Pole Vault | |
| Ross Gourlay | u15B | 80m Hurdles | |
| Katie Foss | u17G | 200m | |
| Zoe Flower | u17G | 1500m | |
| Rachal Callan | u17G | Triple Jump | |
| Jennifer Dallas | u17G | Javelin | |
| Ross Veitch | u17B | 400m | |
| Oliver Maher | u17B | Hammer | |
| Oliver Maher | u17B | Shot Putt | |
| Jacob Luc | u17B | 800m | |
| Bronze Medals |
Cara Slater | u13G | High Jump |
| Cameron Harris | u13B | 800m | |
| Calan Chong | u13B | 1500m | |
| Kate Paul | u15G | 1500m | |
| Imogen Maher | u15G | Triple Jump | |
| Cameron Deverill | u15B | 1500m | |
| Aidan Cunning | u15B | 300m | |
| Rachal Callan | u17G | 300m | |
| Blayne Wright | u17B | Discus | |
| Orla Lang | u20W | 800m | |
| Holly Shearer | u20W | 200m | |
| David Lees | u20M | Javelin |
Report from Sara Lang
For once the sun shone on the West Districts. Many of our u13/15/17s competed at Kilmarnock on Saturday bringing with them many PBs and even some medals.
U13 boys ..a gold medal from the speedy Felix Chan (13.78) over 100m powering his way to a convincing win. Ryan Davie with bronze in the long jump . As always there’s spring in his step!
The U13Boys had a clean sweep of the podium places in the 800m with Craig Shennan, Jack Wallace and Cameron Harris as 1/2/3.
U13 girls of which there were quite a handful…..always well drilled! It’s lovely to watch these girls warm up as a team and carry out their drills independently and know that this ritual will stay with them through their athletic career. Three of the squad (Madeleine MacKenzie, Emily Williams and Katie Orr ) got through to the 100m semifinals with almost all pbs on the way.
Unfortunately, all 3 were in the same semi-final with only the top 3 progressing. We’re delighted that Madeleine in her first year as u13 made it to the final, proving herself a worthy 5th place.
We had Holly Slater in the long jump, no Pb today but relief from Dad and coach that ankles weren’t sore.
U15 boys were early out of the blocks with gold and silver medals in the sprint hurdles from Daniel Martin and Ross Gourlay …well done boys. Three boys in the 100 heats with Aidan Cunning progressing to the final later on. How nice to see Liam Duggan back competing ! Aidan ‘s 100 m final came seconds after and he stormed around the bend to get a bronze medal in 300m. It’s never over till it’s over …which is why you’ll find the coaches hanging round that last 30m!
Congratulations Aidan.
Pole vault kings and queens at u15 we had Daniel Martin and Mark Herbert Ruiz winning gold and silver and Isla Fotheringham winning gold.with a Championship Best Performance ..how lucky are we as a club to have these technical athletes.
And so to our u15 girls ,.commendable in their numbers.
We had 9 girls all bursting off the start line in the 100m…. 5 of them ( Josie Reilly Eilidh Hunter , Angelica Mayer, Erin Ramsey, Amy Greene all winning places in semifinals. From there despite the increasing head wind , Angelica , Erin and Amy progressed to the final with Angelica winning the gold medal in brilliant style. Congratulations to Erin our newly transferred athlete on winning bronze.
And not settling with one medal Angelica added a silver to her collection in the long Jump with a leap of 5.20.
U15 girls 300 is always interesting because for many they have never run this distance before. Ella McGregor however is a veteran of this distance and it was great to see her make the final.
In the U15 Girls 800m Isla Scott took the silver.
U17 girls as to be expected, led by Alyson Bell from the front, with a more than convincing win over her rivals in the 100m. Matched only by Finlay Waugh who posted a similar result in the u17 men’s 100m. Katie Foss not to be outdone proved her worth as always with gold in the 300m and Rachel Callan, despite carrying an injury wining bronze!
For U17 Men,Reuben Nairne took the Gold medal and a brilliant CBP in the hurdles. Murray Fotheringham took the gold in the discus sharing the podium with Blayne Wright who took the Bronze.
U17 men’s 800m saw Jacob Luc take the Silver with Ross O’Brien just missing out for 4th
Best prize of the day though goes to the two mums who found the suntrap..out of the wind with a view of the track. And where?!.. the choice location at the back of the chippy van! Nice one !
Thanks Sara
We want to congratulate all our athletes who took part today, gained PBS and some their initial experience of taking part in Championship events . Well done to all. We will have missed some performances but hope to catch up tomorrow.
Report by Keiren Mooney
An incredible thirty Giffnock North athletes crossed the finish line at the Troon Tortoise 10k on Wednesday evening (8th May). It was the Senior Endurance Championship’s fifth race of the competition and with that it saw high numbers make their way down to the seaside.
As the skies cleared, it turned into perfect conditions for running as the gun went off at half seven. The thirty athletes took advantage of the conditions and the flat course with personal times tumbling and personal bests secured. The first man through the line was Luke Chamberlain with a time of 36.54, position 17th, and he would be very closely followed by Jordan Orr who missed him by seconds with his time of 36.59. The ladies were in scintillating form too as Jill Smylie took the runners up medal with a time of 38.17. Again, there was a Giffnock North vest not too far behind her as Yvonne McNairn grabbed 3rd with 39.49.
A famous ‘Troon Chippy’ followed after the race for many athletes, ending what had been a very impressive and productive night on the course in fine fashion. A big well done and congratulations to all who finished. All eyes now turn to the next race, the Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k, which no doubt times will tumble once more.
Thanks Keiren
An incredible thirty Giffnock North athletes crossed the finish line at the Troon Tortoise 10k on Wednesday evening (8th May). It was the Senior Endurance Championship’s fifth race of the competition and with that it saw high numbers make their way down to the seaside.
As the skies cleared, it turned into perfect conditions for running as the gun went off at half seven. The thirty athletes took advantage of the conditions and the flat course with personal times tumbling and personal bests secured. The first man through the line was Luke Chamberlain with a time of 36.54, position 17th, and he would be very closely followed by Jordan Orr who missed him by seconds with his time of 36.59. The ladies were in scintillating form too as Jill Smylie took the runners up medal with a time of 38.17. Again, there was a Giffnock North vest not too far behind her as Yvonne McNairn grabbed 3rd with 39.49.
A famous ‘Troon Chippy’ followed after the race for many athletes, ending what had been a very impressive and productive night on the course in fine fashion. A big well done and congratulations to all who finished. All eyes now turn to the next race, the Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k, which no doubt times will tumble once more.
An incredible thirty Giffnock North athletes crossed the finish line at the Troon Tortoise 10k on Wednesday evening (8th May). It was the Senior Endurance Championship’s fifth race of the competition and with that it saw high numbers make their way down to the seaside.
As the skies cleared, it turned into perfect conditions for running as the gun went off at half seven. The thirty athletes took advantage of the conditions and the flat course with personal times tumbling and personal bests secured. The first man through the line was Luke Chamberlain with a time of 36.54, position 17th, and he would be very closely followed by Jordan Orr who missed him by seconds with his time of 36.59. The ladies were in scintillating form too as Jill Smylie took the runners up medal with a time of 38.17. Again, there was a Giffnock North vest not too far behind her as Yvonne McNairn grabbed 3rd with 39.49.
A famous ‘Troon Chippy’ followed after the race for many athletes, ending what had been a very impressive and productive night on the course in fine fashion. A big well done and congratulations to all who finished. All eyes now turn to the next race, the Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k, which no doubt times will tumble once more.
Thanks Keiren
An incredible thirty Giffnock North athletes crossed the finish line at the Troon Tortoise 10k on Wednesday evening (8th May). It was the Senior Endurance Championship’s fifth race of the competition and with that it saw high numbers make their way down to the seaside.
As the skies cleared, it turned into perfect conditions for running as the gun went off at half seven. The thirty athletes took advantage of the conditions and the flat course with personal times tumbling and personal bests secured. The first man through the line was Luke Chamberlain with a time of 36.54, position 17th, and he would be very closely followed by Jordan Orr who missed him by seconds with his time of 36.59. The ladies were in scintillating form too as Jill Smylie took the runners up medal with a time of 38.17. Again, there was a Giffnock North vest not too far behind her as Yvonne McNairn grabbed 3rd with 39.49.
A famous ‘Troon Chippy’ followed after the race for many athletes, ending what had been a very impressive and productive night on the course in fine fashion. A big well done and congratulations to all who finished. All eyes now turn to the next race, the Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k, which no doubt times will tumble once more.
Thanks Keiren.
https://www.ukresults.net/2019/troon10k.html
DATE FOR THE DIARY . Thanks to the committed efforts of Anne Stewart & Doleen Galbraith to seek Officials for our Club Championships we are now able to confirm the date and venue as Sunday 25th August at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena in Kilmarnock.
The timetable and arrangements will be largely the same as last years, but can you please note the date for this event as it includes all our athletes Senior and Junior and across a wide range of Track & Field events. We will also need our usual great help and input from our members and parents to run the event.
Ritchie,Centre in the white top
Sad announcement from Dudley Walker Lead Coach Junior Endurance
“It is with enormous sadness that I have to advise everyone of the passing of Richie Allan.
Richie was with the club in the late 1990s and early 2000s.A tremendous talent who in one of his first races finished 4th at the Scottish Schools XC Champs.In fact I think he had a Scottish vest before he had a club one!A lovely cheery boy with a wonderful smile and a brilliant sense of humour.
I tell the story of Richie’s first race for the club at Scotstoun.he was running in the 1500m.It taught me a lesson I’ll always remember…..don’t assume anything.As he passed me at the end of the first lap he shouted…. “hey big man how many more laps to go?”
Richie’s mum Katie was very supportive to Richie and his brother Danny during their time with the club…..our thoughts are with her and her family at this very difficult time”
Dudley Walker
Dudley has also provided details of the Funeral arrangements for Richie . It will take place on Wednesday the 17th April at Craigton Crematorium at 3.30pm
Alyson Bell
Congratulations to Alyson Bell who has been selected for the National Relay Program for Team Scotland with the first training session on the 13/4/19.
Good luck Alyson
Report by Yvonne McNairn
The Alloa Half Marathon on Sunday 31st March was the fourth race of the Senior Endurance Championship. The glorious sunshine was a stark contrast to the previous year which had been cancelled and re arranged due to snow. The undulating course took runners through the streets of Tillicoutry, Alva, Menstrie, Tullibody and “that” hill as runners made the approach back to Alloa.
Iain Carroll led the way for the Senior Men of GNAC with a time of 1.15.45 in an impressive 20th place. The First Lady for GNAC was Yvonne McNairn in a time of 1.31.42
(See full results below.)
Despite the challenging course, there was an impressive host of PBs which meant the Senior winter training programme has paid off!
Well done to everyone who participated and up next for the Senior Championship is the Troon 10k on Wednesday 8th May.
Thanks Yvonne
Previous Team Photo from Gothenburg
A plea from Sharon Veitch and the Gothenburg Fundraising Team.
The Waitrose store in Newton Mearns have agreed to help the club with our fundraising efforts,including the trip as one of their worthwhile causes for the month of April.£1000 is shared between 3 causes with shoppers selecting where their green tokens go.
So the more tokens, the greater the share of the £1,000 and the more people who shop at Waitrose, Newton Mearns the more money we get.So can we ask our athletes,parents, carers, extended family and friends to lend a hand,consider shopping at Waitrose and then add the green tokens to the Gothenburg cause.
The trip takes place at the start of the summer and involves 40 athletes from the club including the sprints and distance groups & 9 coaches travelling to the Gothenburg Youth Games. This is the 2nd time for the club.As Sharon and the coaches point out ” It provides an amazing opportunity for all the athletes involved to experience competing at an international event. Great fundraising efforts are underway to buy kit for everyone and also subsidise the cost of trip for all.
The athletes have worked hard to gain standards to be selected for this trip.
Everyones support in securing this funding would be amazing”
Many thanks from the
Gothenburg Fundraising Team
Keiren Mooney in his Leg at the National Road Relays last weekend in Livingston
An amazing story about Giffnock North Club Athlete Keiren Mooney . His story featured on BBC radio Scotland and then BBC TV. Well worth a look.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/47295962
“It was the scariest night of my life, having no idea of what’s going on or recollection of what’s happened and being totally floored physically.”
Kieren Mooney was a talented young athlete with plenty of potential when a run with a friend took a terrifying turn. Called a “freak of nature” by doctors, the then 18-year-old had what they could only suggest was a heart attack.
Five months and an implanted heart monitor later, Mooney is not only back running but, in February, competed in his first race. Speaking to BBC Scotland he recalls the little he can of that night, the mystery woman who came to his rescue, and making the most of his life now.
‘It was just totally bizarre’
Mooney does not remember what happened to him, or indeed anything in the weeks running up to the incident, instead relying on those who came to his aid to fill in the blanks.
In August 2018, the Giffnock North runner headed out for a 10k run around Newton Mearns with his friend Allistair Gray. “It was only a wee bit quicker than normal and about 9.5k in I apparently said to him ‘run on, I’ll catch you at the end, I’m quite tired’. He finished it 30 seconds later and waited and waited for me.”
Eventually, Gray went back and found Mooney collapsed on a mossy wall, confused, unaware of where he was and unable to stand. Without phones and with the gravity of the situation becoming clear, Gray attempted to flag down help. One man threw a bottle of water out his car window but nobody was stopping. “My memory starts to come back when a woman pulled up and I was bundled into the back of her car – I’ve no idea who this woman was to this day but she helped us back to my grandparents’ house.
“I had no strength in my legs, I couldn’t walk, I was on a totally different planet. People were asking me questions like what day of the week is it – I had no idea of any days of the week let alone what day it was.” His last memory of the night was “vomiting everywhere, a splitting sore head and confusion.”
Mooney woke the next morning in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with only vague memories of the night before. “I’ve been told by many different doctors I am a freak of nature,” he said. “This 18-year-old who was at a pinnacle of fitness with nothing in my family to suggest this would happen, it was just totally bizarre.”
Kieren’s tweet
‘I hear every heartbeat louder than before’
While he said doctors “never quite got to the bottom of it”, Mooney does take comfort in the heart monitor they implanted in December, which allowed him to get back to life as an active 19-year-old. He now has around the clock, direct access to the CCU at the hospital through his mobile phone, where they are able to monitor him 24/7.
“You can feel it if you rub your hand along my chest,” he explained. “If I go out on a jog and feel any symptoms at all I can click a thing on the app to say I feel dizzy. Within a couple of hours they will have checked to see whether it was a thing with my heart and give me a ring either way, so it’s been brilliant to have peace of mind.”
This journey has been “a long slog” for the university student but, on 3 February, Mooney raced in the five-mile Renfrewshire Road Race Championships, surprising himself with a new personal best.
“It does play in the back of my mind, when I’m running you hear every heartbeat louder than you did before, but I just use it as motivation. I’m not scared of it; I’ll just use it to crack on.”
Kieren Mooney in hospital
UPDATE
As we can see at the Club Keiren is just ‘cracking on”.
He adds “I’ve been running since the start of 2017 and joined Giffnock not shortly after that. The training with the coaches and in and amongst the other athletes my level really meant I came a long way before my incident in August.
Since my health scare, the club have been great. In terms of support, everyone has been encouraging towards me whilst on the mend and now I’m back. Practically, the coaches and other folk have given me some lighter sessions and joined in for company which has kept me going when I was frustratingly slower and less fit than normal! Now I’m back and everyone has kept their supportive and competitive nature about them “
Great to hear that Keiren.
Report courtesy of BBC Scotland
National Relay Photo from Gary Leek Athletics Digital
Scottish Athletics have issued the following statement to clubs and Club Secretary Yvonne McNairn would like to draw this to everyone’s attention.
“Following an incident last week at a Scottish Athletics licensed event, we just want to remind all athletes that the swapping of race numbers is strictly prohibited.
For organisers, this often-innocent practice can cause huge headaches, if they either do not allow transfers, or are not at least aware of them. Problems arise most often if that runner is taken ill during an event. The back of a race number usually carries their medical information or it is certainly detailed within the race director’s database. If that does occur, the risks are very real and potentially life threatening, as has been evidenced in other countries in recent years.
It can also impact on team positions, even if an athlete does not compete in a team event, they may inadvertently have an indirect impact on finishing positions in other teams. Also, where entries are full and waiting lists have been created, you could be keeping someone away from a competition opportunity where they legitimately deserve that place.
It is also worth recognising that within Run Britain rankings or other data used within events, it does not provide accurate data on the individuals taking part.
Whilst we will work with event organisers to try to create processes (eg swapping policies where practical), Scottish Athletics will operate a zero tolerance policy on any athletes caught behaving in this manner, and sanctions may apply.
If you have any queries please feel free to contact the Scottish Athletics Events Team.”
THIS WEEKEND’S upcoming World Cross Country Championships in Denmark represent another milestone in the already impressive career of GB international Luke Traynor.
Fresh from running the fastest 5k leg of the day (14 minutes, 59 seconds and close to the course record) when racing for Giffnock North AC at a windy Scottish Road Relays in Livingston on Sunday, Traynor took time – over a roll and square sausage it has to be said – to chat about what he’s been up to and what his aims are for the next few weeks.
Test the best
“First, I’m delighted to make the GB team for Aarhus on Saturday. It’s my third GB cross country vest and I’m determined to put on a good show. Previously I haven’t had much luck – I came home from Hungary with a broken toe!”
“It’s never easy to get into a British squad and the Worlds are another step up, with Kenyans, Ethiopians and all the top guys from around the world but as a team we can make an impact. Every athlete wants to test themselves against the best, and that’s where my passion lies.”
Positive club scene
“The Road Relays in Livingston were an ideal workout for speed … I know I said beforehand that the time wouldn’t be important, it was just to test the legs before next weekend, but actually I’m pretty pleased with sub 15! More important though, the local Scots club atmosphere is brilliant – really positive, competitive but friendly, and with top officials. The club scene is where we all begin – for instance, the whole Giffnock North Ladies team came up through the ranks from Under 13 juniors.”
“I enjoy being right in among my team-mates here. I’ve been to Monaco, Spain and the Czech Republic, but where else but Scotland can everyday club runners queue for their roll and square alongside an international or two? It’s a great sport for friendship.”
For the record(s)
“Next up, I will be home from Denmark only to wash my kit, then off to the USA for four weeks to try to take down national records. I’m currently only 16 seconds off the road 10km record, so I’ll race the Cooper Bridge 10k in South Carolina on 6thApril before three weeks training camp at Tulsa University Oklahoma. Then it’s on to Palo Alto California for a crack at the track 10,000 m mark of 27:48. Busy days, but I’m in the shape of my life and up for the adventure “
Report by Croy Thomson
The club wishes Luke all the very best at Aarhus this weekend and as he heads for more races in the USA
Report by Yvonne McNairn
The National 6/4 Stage Relays got off to a flying start with Luke Traynor finishing first leg with the fastest time of the day in 14.59. Followed by Jordan Orr, Kieran Mooney, Ted Gourley, Nick Boyle and Luke Chamberlain, the Men’s team finished in 35th place amongst the top runners in Scotland.
The ladies team saw Rhona Mowat finish in 9th place with the 12th fastest time of the day in 19.14. Followed by Jill Smylie, Yvonne McNairn and Francis Lowrie. The Ladies Team finished in 14th place.
An appearance by a former junior athlete, Holly Still,representing her University (Caledonia) showed that we may soon have another promising senior athlete in our midst.
Thanks Yvonne and well done to all at Livingston
Photos courtesy of club athletes and supporters and Featured Image from Athletics Digital
| GIRLS / WOMEN | BOYS/ MEN | ||
| Under 11 | 1st | Under 11 | 2nd |
| Under 13 | 4th (A), 6th (B) | Under 13 | 2nd |
| Under 15 | 3rd | Under 15 | 2nd |
| Under 17 | 2nd | Under 17 | 1st |
| Under 20 | 3rd | Under 20 | 4th |
In the 4x200m Relay competition, open to all Scottish Clubs, not just Final qualifiers, Giffnock North took four Gold Medals, four silver and two bronze. Full list below:
| GIRLS / WOMEN | BOYS/ MEN | ||
| Under 11 | 1st (A), 4th (B), 6th (C) | Under 11 | 1st (A), 6th (B) |
| Under 13 | 2nd | Under 13 | 3rd |
| Under 15 | 5th | Under 15 | 2nd |
| Under 17 | 1st | Under 17 | 1st |
| Under 20 | 2nd | Under 20 | No team |
Under 11 Boys & Girls and under 17 Boys & Girls teams all set League records. Congratulations to all that took part on a very successful day for the club
All photographs by Gary Leek, Athletics Digital
Luke Traynor celebrates his third GB Vest at XC following his selection for Team GB 2019 for the World Cross Country.
Luke’s passport has been well used in the last 12 months in his travels throughout Europe to compete in places such as Ireland, France,Spain,Monaco and the Czech Republic. His placings and times have been improving as he continues to enhance his profile as an athlete.
Next up on the 30th of March is the World Cross Championships in Aarhus,Denmark where he lines up for Team G.B having earned selection via the recent trial race in Loughborough. Luke’s earlier GB XC vests were won at the Euro XC Champs in Budapest in 2012 as a member of the Junior Team and in Toulon-Hyeres,France in December 2015. I travelled over to Budapest in 2012 to cheer Luke on at what must have been the coldest XC race I have ever been to…….so cold that my camera seized up and had to be revived by regular warming up under my woolly hat.
He’s come a long way since his competitive debut at the Shettleston Open Graded at the end of August in 2008 where he ran his first ever 3000m in a time of 9:57.9………his PB is now 7:53.88!
It’s been a long and somewhat winding road for him via Caledonian University where he earned a BSc in Environmental Management and then onto Tulsa University where he gained an MA in Education. His two year stint in Tulsa saw him earn All American Honours and numerous other accolades…but apart from anything else he got a flavour of life as a full time athlete…the demands, the sacrifices and the discipline required. At present he’s juggling part time work and as near as dam it, full time training. He’s still very much a Giffnock man who trains with the club and helps out wherever he can.
So all the very best in Denmark Luke from all of us at Giffnock North
PS……A sponsor would be wonderful to help help him to achieve his goal of being on the start line in Tokyo next year.
Report by Dudley Walker
The Camps are a great mixture of Athletics input and fun largely delivered by our own young coaches who provide a great opportunity to develop and hone athletics skills . We are delighted and proud to say that our camps always receive great feedback and provide a varied and stimulating programme for all ages from 5 upwards
You can book at the following link
https://www.giffnocknorth.co.uk/spring-athletics-camp-bookings-open/
For older athletes there are a number of event specific camps available via the G.A.A. [Glasgow Athletics Association ] Check their website and Facebook pages.
GIFFNOCK NORTH ATHLETICS CLUB
GIFFNOCK NORTH AC’s Murray Fotheringham ran, jumped and threw his way to a superb victory in the English Multi-Events Championships indoors in Sheffield last weekend. Over two days and the seven different disciplines of the heptathlon, Fotheringham racked up a personal best total of 4,967 points to defeat the country’s finest Under-17 combined-events athletes.
In the second of the seven disciplines, the long jump, Fotheringham posted 6.82 meters to go in front overall, and afterwards was never caught, recording three personal bests in the process, in 60m sprint (7.41 seconds), shot putt (10.89m) and pole vault (3.96m). The southsider dominated the high jump competition, his 1.95m clearance well ahead of the opposition, and he finished the job with a fine, second-place two-minutes 46.64 seconds kilometer, narrowly shy of his PB in that distance.
Notably for Scottish athletics, third U17 was Victoria Park City of Glasgow’s Kyle McAulay, on 4,656 points, and in the U15 events, Pitreavie’s Fergus MacGilp took silver.
Immense congratulations (times seven?) to Murray, his coaches and of course Team Fotheringham.
Thanks to Craig Fotheringham for all the updates & photos from Sheffield . Team Fotheringham had a fairly long and snowy journey home.This was not only a great individual result for Murray but we also recognise the phenomenal success of the Scottish Athletes with two on the podium and 4 in the Top 10 .
Great results lads.
Report by Croy Thomson
We have lots of athletic talent at Giffnock North, but we also have one super talented artist in the club who has turned his hand to painting and drawing some of our Junior and Senior Members. Check out the art of Jordan Orr.
What a night! Our young athletes rubbing shoulders with Laura Muir and KJT and high-fiving with the legend that is Michael Johnson. It was the 2019 Scottish Athletics National Indoor 4x200m age-group finals, held as a curtain raiser to the European Indoor Championships. Giffnock North had excelled in the qualifying round and had at least one team in every final. Could our young athletes cope with the confusion, chaos and excitement of a packed warm-up area in the presence of many famous athletes and TV presenters? You bet they could! We came away with an amazing haul of 3 Golds, 2 Bronzes and a bucketful of breathless performances.
Read on for a report on each age group… Full names below.
Under-13 Girls
Our U13 girls relay squad (Erin, Madeleine, Sophie, Emily, Casey and Katie) sporting blue and yellow hair ribbons were the fastest qualifiers from the heats and semi-final 2 weeks ago, but this was deliberately not mentioned in the run up to the big night. Despite the nerves …and there were nerves (coach and athletes), the girls did what they always do every session…they warmed up methodically, they paid visits to the outdoor portaloos…then they did it all again!
And so eventually they hit the track and my goodness there was no stopping them. With maturity and speed and convincing baton exchanges, they swiftly moved to hold first place at the beginning to the 2nd leg and never lost it. Knocking 2 seconds off their semi-final time, this team of Erin, Madeleine, Sophie and Emily became national 4×200 relay champions at approx. 6pm on Fri and we think they will be reliving that moment for many years to come.
U13 Boys
The U13 boys team (Ellis, Ryan, Bobby, Felix, Craig and Max) had qualified as the fastest team, but only just……it looked like it would be a very close race. There were personnel changes in most of the teams so it was anyone’s guess what would happen. Like the others, they kept their cool in a chaotic warm up environment and were excited when Michael Johnston came down from the TV gantry to talk to them while they were in the assembly area.
Off to the track….would they keep their nerve and their focus…..
Ellis ran a fantastic first leg in lane 6, those are big climbs up the banking for the U13s! In a tight one, two, three the clubs in the three outside lanes passed the baton together.Now for the 2nd runner….would he break in the right place. Ryan hadn’t run the heats but knew what he was doing. Through the cones safely and now to the next change over, safely passing the baton to Bobby in 4th/5th place. Bobby set off on a charge, pulled back to fourth and then with a huge effort, to third before handing over to Felix. Felix, cool and calm as usual, set off after Edinburgh and Kilbarchan but just had too much to do and couldn’t pull it back. It was a fantastic team effort and they had their travelling support, Max, shouting them on for the whole race. They also have a bronze National Relay Championship medal, loads of fantastic memories and a chance to do it all again in two weeks at the SAIL final.
Under 15 Boys
It was a great team performance from the 6 U15 boys in the heats & final. The boys ran their hearts out and never gave up the whole way round, crossing the line in fourth place. But their never say never attitude was rewarded when Airdrie’s Team were disqualified and the boys were promoted to bronze. Everybody loves the relays, they are so exciting and unpredictable in many ways. So let that be a great example to all of us in future relay races, never give up, no matter what position you are in, because the end isn’t just the finish line, it is the track umpire’s final ruling!
Under-15 Girls
Our U15 girls team of Angelica, Ella, Josie and Ava were in an extremely competitive final with the eventual winners breaking the championship record. Our girls ran their hearts out and were ably supported from the side-lines by their 2 reserves (Jennifer and Olivia).
Under-17 Women
Following on from their success at the qualifying heats of the National our U17 women’s team of Alyson Bell, Katie Foss, Rachel Callan & Caroline MacConnell were eager to try and improve on their National Record and Championship best time of 1.43.38. We were not to be disappointed.
Alyson got off to a great start but was pushed hard all the way by Fife AC. Handed the baton in first place, Katie extended the lead and Rachel did the same on the third leg. One final safe baton change was now all that was required. Caroline charged off with the baton safely in hand and a good lead so we now turned our attention to the clock. Was the record still on? Caroline stayed focussed and crossed the line in new Scottish Record of 1.43.20. The combined effort and performance of all the girls resulted in an improvement of 0.18s.
The girls are now looking forward to the relays at the SAIL final and they’ll be doing their utmost to improve their record time once more to finish off a great indoor season.
Under-17 Men
Why take one team to the finals when you can take two!? Giffnock’s U17 men were unique amongst all the competing clubs in getting two teams to the finals. While the A Team had been expected to make the final, the B Team upset the form book to qualify as one of the fastest runners-up.
Both U17 mens team took a rather novel approach to warm-up – they did it outside in the street! You could not imagine how chaotic the warm-up area was, but amongst all the noise, contradicting instructions from officials and athletic gear strewn everywhere, the boys kept their cool and thoroughly prepared themselves for the race. And so to the action….
Max MacHarg, Ross Veitch and Rueben Nairne kept up the pressure on race leaders Kilbarchan over the first three legs before passing to Finlay Waugh for the final run-in. The Scottish 200m champion could smell gold. He closed the gap and waited his moment to pounce. Coming round the final bend Finlay turned on the afterburners and left the Kilbarchan athlete in his wake. Gold for Giffnock (for the third time) in a time of 1:32.06. It was a great battle all the way round and well done to Kilbarchan for making it such a great race. Khaliq Kelani lead the U17 B Team to a great start. Ben McCahill and then Iliane Hifi, running second and third battled to stay in touch and then Jacob Luc finished with his usual charge. The boys never gave up for a moment and finished 6th in a time of 1.39.64.
Well Done Everyone!
A brilliant night for Giffnock North. 3 Golds and 2 Bronzes. Wow! The best club performance by far on the night. As a reward our athletes and Team Managers (Sara Lang, Jackie Alexander, Tony Mayer, Symon Lipp, Billy Glasgow, Gerry Duggan and Anne Stewart) received free tickets to watch the Euro finals where we roared Laura Muir to gold. A perfect end to a perfect competition. Every single Giffnock North athlete gave it their all. Coaches, family and friends are so proud of you. As ever, thank you to parents for supporting your athletes throughout the year. Success comes from regular and focussed training and your involvement is vital.
Many of the pictures are courtesy of our friends at Athletics Digital .
If you want the original full resolution pictures, you can go to their website and find the Club Connect Relay Album and buy direct. https://www.facebook.com/athleticsdigital/
(Consolidated report from the relay Team Managers)
All photographs courtesy of Gary Leek (Athletics Digital) & Others
Full Results
U13 Girls
1 GIFFNOCK NORTH AC ‘A’ 1:55.89
Erin McKay, Madeline McKenzie, Sophie Ferguson, Emily Williams. ( Reserves Casey Carr & Katie Orr)
2 DUNFERMLINE TRACK & FIELD CLUB ‘A’ 1:57.00
3 VP-GLASGOW AC ‘A’ 1:57.44
4 EDINBURGH AC ‘A’ 2:01.14
5 KILBARCHAN AAC ‘A’ 2:01.30
6 AIRDRIE HARRIERS ‘A’ 2:02.95
U15 Girls
1 VP-GLASGOW AC ‘A’ 1:46.41N
2 EDINBURGH AC ‘B’ 1:47.70
3 PITREAVIE AAC ‘A’ 1:48.76
4 LARKHALL YMCA HARRIERS ‘A’ 1:49.14
5 LIVINGSTON AC ‘B’ 1:50.26
6 GIFFNOCK NORTH AC ‘A’ 1:52.05
Angelica Mayer, Ella McGregor, Josie Reilly & Ava Bruce (Reserves Jennifer Torrance & Olivia Dykes)
U17 Women
1 GIFFNOCK NORTH AC ‘A’ 1:43.20 New National Record
Alyson Bell, Katie Foss, Rachel Callan & Caroline MacConnell (Reserves Rosie McKay & Brooke Moran)
2 FIFE AC ‘A’ 1:47.52
3 EDINBURGH AC ‘A’ 1:48.74
4 TEAM EAST LOTHIAN ‘A’ 1:49.41
5 VP-GLASGOW AC ‘A’ 1:49.68
6 PITREAVIE AAC ‘A’ 1:49.97
U13 Boys
1 EDINBURGH AC ‘A’ 1:54.13B
2 KILBARCHAN AAC ‘A’ 1:56.02
3 GIFFNOCK NORTH AC ‘A’ 1:58.58
Ellis Nairne, Bobby Kiltie, Ryan Davie, Felix Chan (Reserves Craig Shennan & Max Sheridan)
4 SHETTLESTON HARRIERS ‘A’ 1:59.19
5 VP-GLASGOW AC ‘A’ 2:00.37
— AIRDRIE HARRIERS ‘A’ DQ 163.3a
U15 Boys
1 EDINBURGH AC ‘A’ 1:42.42
2 LARKHALL YMCA HARRIERS ‘A’ 1:45.85
3 GIFFNOCK NORTH AC ‘A’ 1:46.04
Aiden Cumming, Daniel Martin, Ross Gourley & Josh Thielan-Mann ( Alex Waugh & Frankie Bradley)
4 SHETTLESTON HARRIERS ‘A’ 1:50.36
5 LAW & DISTRICT AAC ‘A’ 1:51.46
— AIRDRIE HARRIERS ‘A’ DQ 163.3a
U17 Men
1 GIFFNOCK NORTH AC ‘A’ 1:32.06
Max McHarg, Ross Veitch, Reuben Nairne & Finlay Waugh
2 KILBARCHAN AAC ‘A’ 1:32.52
3 EDINBURGH AC ‘A’ 1:36.28
4 KILMARNOCK H&AC ‘A’ 1:36.35
5 AIRDRIE HARRIERS ‘A’ 1:37.36
6 GIFFNOCK NORTH AC ‘B’ 1:39.64
Khaliq Kelani, Ben McCahill, Iliane Hifi & Jacob Luc.
Grateful thanks to Gerry Duggan for collating this report from all the Sprints coaches.
Well done to all
So while our Scottish stars are at the Emirates representing GB,our star club athletes marking the near conclusion of the XC season while representing their schools. Report from Croy Thomson.
GIFFNOCK YOUNGSTERS IN ACTION FOR SCHOOLS.
Gold Star for Hannah, Bronze for Julia, VG for many more
JUST BACK FROM THE FRONT LINE and a very nice front line too at Hopetoun House, where the owner keeps the lawns in order with two flocks of sheep.
The almost perfect conditions weatherwise and underfoot were balanced by one monster of a hill in a stunning parkland setting around the imposing Hopetoun House. Also imposing herself on proceedings was St Ninian’s Hannah Ryding, who stuck to Preston Lodge High’s (and Edinburgh AC’s) top-ranked Katie Johnston like a post-it note reminder for 4k before out-gunning her at the top of the final hill and going on to hard-earned glory.
Ably backing Hannah up were Kate Paul (5th) Isla Scott and Bethany Drummond, more than good enough to take the team gold.
In the Boys’ equivalent, Reuben MacDonald did Hillpark Secondary proud with a battling fourth place – frustratingly out of the medals but surely deserving a Scottish Schools call up.
Earlier, Craig Shennan in Williamood High’s black and sky-blue raced to a commendable sixth, one place ahead of Alex Robin, who lead Hutchesons Grammar to team gold over 3k.
Moving up the age groups, Julia Cash took a fine bronze medal over 4k to help Jill Carswell, Miriam Gilbride and Lucy Anderson to team gold for Hutchie. Helen Chong posted an eleventh place finish for Eastwood High, Abby Thomson 14th for Williamwood. In the boys 5k race, Mearns Castle stand-out Harris Paterson came eighth to give himself hope of another Scottish vest.
In the oldest age categories, with the lads running 6k and the girls four, Jack Bell flew home in 10th, while Lynn McKenna claimed a strong bronze for Williamwood, with sister Charlotte in sixth. St Ninian’s Rhona Mowat was seventh, and Eastwood High’s Clare Wallace eighth. It’s worth noting perhaps that only one team in this race – Strathallan – had the requisite three runners required for a complete team, and they duly collected the silverware and the kudos.
On-the-spot correspondent Dudley Walker said, “Thanks to the parents, chums, pals, pets, officials, course setters, teachers, the Hopetoun Hoose Preservation Trust and of course the 4th Marquess of Linlithgow for letting us use his gaff. Well done to all our athletes who turned out for their schools and if we didn’t give you a shout, apologies but we don’t recognise you in your school colours.”
Thanks to Croy for report and David Chong for photos.
NEIL GOURLEY: from Giffnock to the Emirates via the USA to race Europe’s Finest
Neil recently noted on Twitter that he could not really believe he would be racing for Team GB at the European Indoor Championships. However, given the relentless development and progress he has made as a young athlete in Scotland and also since his decision to pursue his athletics career in the United States,we at Giffnock North are not surprised at all, just delighted with his success.
It is only fitting that we should reprint here a fuller outline of Neil’s journey to the Euro Champs wearing a GB vest in the 1500m. We also celebrate the statistic that he takes his place in a British Team which has the largest contingent of Scottish Athletes representing GB in 50 Years
Neil Gourley
Season 2018
New 600m PB 1.19.16 (Giffnock North AC club record)
New 800m PB 1.47.04 (3rd in 2018 Scottish rankings; 12th in all time Scottish rankings; 4th in all time Scottish indoor 800m rankings; Giffnock North AC club record)
New 1500m PB 3.35.98 (4th in 2018 Scottish rankings; 7th in Scottish all time rankings; Giffnock North AC club record)
New mile PB 3.57.11 (3rd in 2018 Scottish rankings; 12th in Scottish all time rankings; Giffnock North AC club record)
Performances
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) 800m champion.
Member of the Virginia Tech National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Distance Medley Relay championship winning team. (First national track title for VT.)
British Athletics Championships (including European trials) 3rd place
Athletics World Cup (first senior vest for GB) 3rd place
IAAF Diamond League Anniversary Games 8th place (Diamond League debut)
Scottish Athletics 1500m National Champion (1st senior national championship)
IAAF Diamond League (Emsley Carr Mile) 8th place
Long Island Mile 3rd Place
5th Avenue Mile 3rd place
As can be seen from the above, 2018 has been a breakthrough year for Neil. He completed his college running career where he has competed for 5 years for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) by anchoring his DMR team to victory in the NCAA championships. The DMR is a unique event in which the four team members run legs of 1200m, 400m. 800m and one mile. It’s very highly regarded and this was not only the first time that Virginia Tech had won it but was the first national track title ever secured by the university.
With his outdoor eligibility finished Neil was able to concentrate on achieving the times and places he needed to gain a place in the British team for the European Championships – his biggest target for the season. To do so he had to bring his 1500m PB down from 3.39.92 to under the qualifying standard of 3.37.5 and, to guarantee selection, finish first or second in the trials. Having not managed to achieve the qualifying time in the lead up to the trials he first had to concentrate on placing there. Scots again dominated the final, taking all the medals, with Neil missing out on the 2nd spot and automatic qualifying position by .01 of a second to Jake Wightman, who subsequently went on to win the bronze medal in the Euro Champs. Neil finishing third left the decision up to the selectors even if he managed to secure the qualifying time which he duly did in the exotically named Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, running 3.36.54 on 11 July. The selectors, however decided to pick the athlete who had finished fourth in the trials for the Euro Championships.
Missing out on Berlin, although a huge disappointment, gave Neil the opportunity to compete in the Scottish Championships where he won his first national title, just holding off a strong challenge from one of the next generation of Scottish middle-distance runners, Sol Sweeney.
Neil was selected to represent GB and NI in the first ever staging of the Athletics World Cup, held in London’s magnificent Olympic Stadium. Neil finished a very creditable third, earning a bronze medal and helping the GB team to an overall third place in the competition.
Neil’s performance also saw him selected to compete in his first Diamond League event which was held just a week later in the same venue. In a world class field, Neil finished 8th, improving his PB to 3.35.98.
Season 2019
Having graduated in Mechanical Engineering, Neil moved to Eugene, Oregon or ‘Tracktown USA’ as it’s known to join the Oregon Track Club Elite where he is teammates with the likes of Nijel Amos, Hassan Mead and Francine Nyonsaba.
His first big target for 2019 was to qualify for the British Team to compete in the 2019 European Championships being held in Glasgow. With the same selection rules in place the stakes were high, at the British Championships in Birmingham in early February with a top two finish again required to guarantee a place on the team. Neil timed his run perfectly in the final to overtake Elliot Giles to become British 1500m Champion and book his place on the team.
The article below from the Oregon Track Club Elite’s website gives some further detail on his season to date.
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon Track Club Elite’s Neil Gourley couldn’t have asked for a better start to his professional career.
In just five indoor races this season, the 24-year-old native of Scotland has lowered his indoor personal best in the 1,500 meters by more than six seconds, claimed his first British Indoor national title in that event, and secured a berth in the European Athletics Indoor Championships, March 1-3, in his hometown of Glasgow.
He can’t wait to compete on the global stage in front of his most ardent supporters.
“It’s difficult to put into words how special it will be to compete in these Championships in Glasgow,” Gourley said. “It will be my first time competing in a senior international championship, and I have the privilege of doing so on a track I have trained at countless times. I’ll also be running in front of many of my friends and family, so I’m determined to defend the house against Europe’s best milers.”
The former standout at Virginia Tech tuned up for the European Championships by posting an indoor 1,500m PR of 3 minutes, 38.32 seconds at the Muller Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix last Saturday (Feb. 16). He set his previous best of 3:44.76 in winning the 1,500m title at the British Indoor Championships.
Still, Gourley was far from satisfied with his eighth-place performance in an epic indoor race that featured a world record of 3:31.04 by Ethiopia’s Samuel Tefera; the third-fastest time in history by Ethiopian runner-up Yomif Kejelcha at 3:31.58; an Australian national record; and 10 personal bests among the 14 finishers.
“I’m sure at some point I’ll look back on this race and be glad that I was a part of such a historic occasion,” Gourley said.
“But to be completely honest, my initial reaction was that I couldn’t believe that I’d just lost by 7 seconds. It’s been a long time since I’ve been that far behind over 1,500m! Time trial style races have never been a strength of mine but I am determined to improve on this and being involved in this level of competition will allow me to do so.”
He will get his chance with the opening round of the 1,500m on March 1 at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Thanks to Ronnie Gourley, Neil’s proud father for this and to various people for the photos
While our 100 plus cross country athletes were churning up the mud in Falkirk at the National Cross Country Championships, five of our top track and field athletes were competing in the dry and warm conditions of the EIS Indoor Arena in Sheffield at the England Athletics Age Group Championships.
Congratulations to Reuben Nairne who took gold in the u17 mens Pole Vault with a leap of 4.40m. Reuben also competed in the 60m hurdles and was fifth in the final with a time of 8.27.
Another multi-talented under 17 athlete is Murray Fotheringham who won two medals. Murray cleared 2.01m in the high jump to take silver and 6.77m in the long jump for bronze.
On the track Findlay Waugh battled his way to the final of the under 17 mens 200m and finished in the bronze medal postion in a time of 22.55.
Two other athletes made track finals, Katie Foss was 5th in the under 17 womens 300m and Fraser Angus was 5th in the u20 mens 200m.
All in all a fantastic day for Giffnock athletes, well done to all.
Report by Croy Thomson
FAB FEB FOR CROSS COUNTRY FLYERS – SEVEN TEAM PRIZES AND FOUR INDIVIDUAL MEDALS INCLUDING U17 GOLD FOR HAMISH ARMITT, as Giffnock North AC tie yellow (and blue) ribbons round the old Falkirk course.
IT WAS JUST ANOTHER FEBRUARY DAY … sun splitting the heavens,a warm breeze and a smooth, dry course at the Scottish National Cross Country. Not what we’re used to at all – indeed, it was so tropical that Coach Thomson was seen to remove his scarf and woolly hat.
Some things never change, though, and the effort from all our teams was as ever at its whole-hearted, enthusiastic, brilliantly supported and well rewarded best from first gun to final spike across the finish mats. Four team golds, two team silvers, a team bronze, an individual crown and three more individual medals added up to one of the most successful days in the club’s history. What a day.
Our U13 Girls set the pace with a team bronze over 3.1k, won by Amber Wade, Katy Donnelly, Esme Dougal and Emma Maclennan, who was chased home in fine style by Amy Vincent. Next on the podium were U13 gold-medal boys Craig Shennan, Alex Robin, Calan Chong and Adam Chamberlain – Alex and Calan were given 12th and 13th places in precisely the same 12 minutes, 25 seconds for the 3.1k.
Under 15 girls Julia Cash (blue and yellow ribbons flying) and Hannah Ryding stormed to memorable silver and bronze individual medals, practically shoulder to shoulder down the finishing straight after 4.1k, distanced only by Fife AC star Anna Hedley. With Kate Paul in a blistering sixth and Abby Thomson 13th, the U15 Girls’ team gold was accepted for a remarkable seventh year in a row (after seven years of not winning it, strangely enough).
Seldom ones to be outshone, the U15 boys delivered another team gold over the rolling – okay, hilly – 4.1k circuit. Harris Paterson went within a whisker of an individual medal, blazing over the line just five seconds behind the winner and a single tick behind second and third. Harris’s heroics didn’t go unrewarded, as Reuben Macdonald, Jacob Luc and Ross O’Brien packed in brilliantly for team victory, with Cameron Deverill and Hugh Shiels not far behind. Special mentions to a) Ross for battling on when feeling decidedly off-form, and b) Cameron Green, who lost a spike at the start and fought on for half the race before deciding that his be-socked foot had had enough punishment for the day, and wisely dropped out. Cameron is recovering well, we are told. No news of the sock.
The day grew warmer. The racing got hotter. Hamish Armitt, our U17 Inter District Champion, went from the ‘B’ of ‘Bang!’ and simply ran away from his rivals, all high-calibre racers. After six kilometers and 21 minutes, four seconds, Hamish broke the tape more than 40 seconds clear of Garscube’s Jack Trainer, to put an U17 title alongside his U13 and U15 equivalents. Jack Bell, Ethan Carolan and Blayne Wright strode home to help put another Giffnock squad on the podium for silver – the first team silver the U17 Boys have ever won, after two golds and seven bronzes.
Hamish’s stamina was further tested by an extended interview after the race with the on-course video team … we didn’t time it but the interview seemed to last longer than the race: poor Hamish’s legs must have been tightening something drastic. Photo-Bomber Award 2019 goes to Andrew Love for his cheery thumbs up as he ‘accidentally’ strolled behind Hamish and into camera-shot.
Helen Chong delivered her usual determined effort to lead U17s Kate Richardson and Clare Wallace to Under 17 girls gold and glory, our fourth team title of the day, again over 6k.
Coach Thomson, overcome by heat exhaustion, at this point had to lie down in the shade and restore his strength with a flask of coffee and a humungous muffin from the fabled Caroline Wright Cake Shoppe. From his vantage point, Thomson cheered on the senior ladies, whose Jill Smyllie led Allie Chong, Yvonne McNairn, Frances Lowrie and Sheila Lewis to a commendable ninth place after 10k (and more, I’m reliably informed) of tough racing. Three laps on that course would tire anyone out, so I sat down throughout.
The U20 Men didn’t feature in the medals, but they gamely flew the blue and amber flag over 7.5k, so hats off to Andrew Love, Ben Shaw, Kieran Killen and Cormac O’Hara. Commiserations to Calum Young who had to drop out after twisting his ankle.
Erin Wallace continued her exceptional tradition in the National with a hard-earned individual U20 silver over 7.5k behind fellow GB international Eloise Walker of Edinburgh AC, Erin reeling in Edinburgh Uni’s Naomi Lang over the last 1500 meters with a sustained late charge. Rhona Mowat and Lynn McKenna joined Erin on the podium for team silver, edging Glasgow Uni by three points. Glasgow Uni’s squad included our very own Emily Crusher, and ex-Giffnock athletes ran in the senior race for Fife AC (Megan Crawford) and Shettleston (Ruth Joss).
As a gentle smirr of rain reminded us of what February is supposed to feel like, Senior Gents Chris Greenhalgh, Michael Cross, Luke Chamberlain, Ted Gourley, Jordan Orr and Mark Sutherland brought the club home twentieth of 42 completing teams amid no less than 719 finishers.
To one and all who competed, from firstest to lastest, fastest to not-so-fastest, take a bow, there’s no easy way round National courses, and however you did it, you did the club proud. Sympathy goes to those who had to drop out or not toe the start line thanks to injury or other obligations: you’ll be back, and welcome. Thanking you bigly also you unsung supporters, pals, fans, coaches, tent wranglers and officials (cheers to Jim and Doleen Galbraith who came to Ross’s aid at the finish, and to Allie Chong who also assisted there and elsewhere). Thank you, the families, with a particular pat on the back to Rosie the Paterson Labrador, making yet another appearance in club vest – if she hasn’t paid her subs, well, we’ve a bone to pick with her. Bark my words, Rosie deserves to be unleashed on the podium next time around, like Fife AC’s wee collie dug this year.
I don’t know how we’ll surpass this edition of the National, but I’m sure we’ll have fun trying. Onwards!
Thanks Croy, our man at the scene, for a great report which fully captures the atmosphere of the day and the efforts of all the athletes competing.
The photo of Hamish Armitt is courtesy of Bobby Gavin and others courtesy of Gary Leek and David Chong. Thanks to all.
Giffnock North Senior Women 4x200m Relay team won silver medal at the National Indoor Relay Finals at the Emirates Arena on Saturday 16th Feb. The gold was taken by Victoria Park. The girls – Holly Shearer, Freya Menzies, Megan Busby and Rhea Campbell – making a shrewd tactical change to the running order for the final to set a new club record (1.43.31), having already smashed the previous record in the qualifying round. It was a victory tinged with disappointment. In the warm-up one of our A team athletes had to pull out through injury. To cover this loss one of the B Team had to step up to the A team and alas without any further cover the excellent B team was unable to run.
Next up it was the turn of the younger age groups to try and qualify for the Club Connect 4 X 200m Relays Finals-FPSG scottishathletics Indoor Relay Championship Finals incorporated into the European Indoor Championships 2019.
As you can imagine the 4 x U13 girls teams were very enthusiastic and raring to go, not surprising given the numbers involved their first target was to qualify for the semi-finals. Following some great runs from all our girls, all 4 teams qualified for the semi-finals as detailed in the results Next up it was the U15 girls who also had to qualify for the semi-finals and not to be outdone by their younger athletes all 3 teams qualified for the semi’s, as you can imagine the atmosphere was electric. The next to compete were the under 13 boys and given the girls performances the under 13 boys were under a fair bit of pressure however the “A” team quickly secured a place in the final finishing 1st in their heat. Despite a good run by all in the B team they just failed to qualify for the final but the experience will stand them in good stead for the outdoor season.
We only had one under 15 boys team but they also performed fantastically well and comfortably secured a place in the final by finish fourth overall in their age group. The next event was the U17 women’s 4x200m and a good time was anticipated, needless to say we were not disappointed the U17’s comfortably won their race and qualified for the final with a new National & championship best time of 1.43.38, which has still to be ratified. Unfortunately despite a great run by the B team they just lost out in qualifying for the final.
The last of the heats involved the U17 men and as anticipated the A team won their heat and qualified for the final. Not to be outdone, the B Team put in a Herculean effort and were also secured a final place as one of the fastest runners up. As you can imagine the girls semi-finals were eagerly anticipated but first up it was the senior women’s final.
With 5 teams already secured a place in their respective age group finals we were looking forward to the Semi-finals for the under 13 & 15 girls and were not to be disappointed, all the girls were brilliant and gave it their all in very competitive races, resulting in both A teams for each of the age groups achieving a slot in their respective age group finals. It was a very successful day and could be a tough act to follow but we are all now looking forward to the finals on the 1/3/19.
National Indoor Combined Events Championships
Congratulations to Murray Fotheringham who took Gold in the u17 Men’s Heptathlon. Murray accumulated a new club record points total of 4785 pts and also a new pb and club record of 2.04m in the high jump. In the u15 Boy’s event Daniel Martin took a bronze medal with 2286 pts and Ryan Davie was 4th in the u13 Boy’s event. Apologies if I have overlooked anyone.
National Indoor Masters Championships
Congratulations to Angela Kelly who took double gold in the 60m & 200m W55 category and also to Colin Wyrlie who won a bronze in the M45 400m in a time of 60.97.
British Universities Indoor Championships
Long jumper Alessandro Schenini took a brilliant Silver Medal at BUCS Champs with a leap of 7.56 (Scottish u20 record) which is a Euro Juniors Qualifying Distance and will earn him a place on All time Scottish Rankings ! Well done Alessandro from all at Giffnock North ! And he won also Silver in 4x200m Relay with Fraser Angus for Strathclyde University. Well done Team.
Strathaven Run with the Wind Half Marathon
Some excellent runs from Giffnock ladies saw four finishing in the top seven. Mary McCutcheon 2nd, Frances Lowrie 5th, Nina Farmer 6th and Nicola McBeath 7th. Best placed finishers in the men’s event was Stuart McDonald 10th, Ruairidh McLean 14th and Mark Sutherland 16th.
Photographs by Bobby Gavin
A number of outstanding performances on display at the SUCA and SSAA Championships from Giffnock Athletes as reported by Croy Thomson & Billy Glasgow! First of all the SUCA success
TOP CLASS PERFORMANCES FROM OUR ATHLETES AT UNIVERSITY
RACHEL ALEXANDER, competing for Strathclyde University, won the ladies long jump title at the Scottish Universities Indoor Championships last Saturday in Emirates Arena. Rachel’s 5.97 meter effort set a new championship best performance and she is now turning her attention to this weekend’s British Universities event in Sheffield. Well done to all our other athletes who turned out for their universities, including mentions with distinction for:
1st 200m Sect 1 Final Calum McWilliam Glasgow Caledonian 22.73
2nd 60mh Erin Campbell Glasgow Caledonian 9.27
3rd 400m Niamh Grahame Uni of Glasgow 57.69
3rd 1500m Emily Crusher Uni of Glasgow 5:20.94
3rd 200m Sect 1 Final John Hamilton Uni of Glasgow 23.36
So well done to all the University Students and also to all the GNAC medallists at the Schools Championships listed below. Two Double Gold Medallists heading that list.
Scottish Schools Medallists
Alyson Bell won the U16 60 in 7.94 & 200m in 25.08
Reuben Nairne won the O16 60mh in 8.35 & the Pole Vault in 4.60
Max McHarg 2nd in the U16 60m 7.38
Zoe Flower 3rd in the U16 1500m 4.44.49.
Katie Foss won the O16 300m in 40.99
Eve Denholm was 2nd in O16 200m in 25.75
Scott Wyllie 3rd in the O16 60m in 7.18
Finlay Waugh 2nd in the O16 200m in 22.41
Hamish Armitt 2nd in the O16 1500m 4.04.35
Harris Paterson 1st in the U16 1500m 4.15.62
Ross O’Brien 2nd in the U16 1500m 4.17.9
Jennifer Dallas 3rd in U16 Shot putt 11.63m
Isla Fotheringham was 1st in U16G pole vault in 2.57m
Murray Fotheringham was 3rd in O16 High Jump in 1.90m
Great work from all our athletes representing their schools and Universities !All the best to those competing at the British Universities at the weekend!
NEIL CLAIMS GB INDOOR GOLD AND AUTOMATIC SELECTION FOR EURO CHAMPS: NIKKI FLIES TO GB BRONZE.
Report by Croy Thomson
Six go to Birmingham and fly the blue and amber flag
GIFFNOCK NORTH AC athletes claimed two outstanding medals at the weekend’s British Indoor Championships in Birmingham, with Neil Gourley’s win in the metric mile and Nikki Manson’s bronze in the high jump.
Pride of place has to go to 1500-meter man Gourley, who delivered a tactical masterclass in controlling his race at the start, then shadowing Rio Olympian Elliot Giles before pouncing in a blistering final 50 meters to seize victory in three minutes 44.76 seconds. The win entitles Neil to automatic selection for the upcoming European Indoor Champs in Glasgow next month.
Said a grinning Gourley, “I admire Elliot Giles as an athlete, so I’m delighted with edging him for this title. It’s my birthday week, so this medal is quite a nice present. Better still, qualifying to compete in Glasgow means the world to me.”
Nikki Manson produced a season’s best clearance of 1.80 m in the women’s high jump to take third place behind winner Olympian Morgan Lake, who cleared 1.94m. Manson’s perfect sequence of first-time clearances at 1.71, 1.76 and 1.80 gave her the edge over Edinburgh rival Emma Nuttall, who needed two attempts to clear the 1.80 mark.
Fraser Angus fought through to the 200m final with a superb personal best 21.54 seconds effort during heats and semi-final, but had to be content with sixth in the ultimate race.
Alessandro Schenini leaped to 7.40m and fifth place in the long jump, while Erin Wallace managed the same place in her 1500m heat, only to be pipped by four hundredths of a second for a fastest loser’s spot in the final. In her 800 meters heat, Katy Brown came up with another Giffnock fifth place, which wasn’t enough to see her into the final.
Scottish athletes, including Laura Muir in the 3k, won nine medals in total – five gold, two silver and two bronze.
Neil Gourley delivered one of the biggest wins of his career in winning the GB Indoors 1500m. Photo of him in a previous GB appearance
Nikki Manson cleared 1.80m for GB Indoor bronze.
Fraser Angus (in blue and amber) reached the GB Indoor Champs final. Image is of Fraser winning 60m Sprint Title at Scottish Indoor Championships.
Report from Jane Snowden & Estelle Rolfe
FPSG U12s SUPERteams. The Emirates Arena, Glasgow. Sunday 10th February 2019.
A fantastic day was had by all at the SUPERteams. Giffnock North had four teams competing, two boys and two girls teams. All athletes compete in four events: long jump, shot put, 60m and 4x200m relay.
With 132 teams and over 500 athletes from throughout Scotland competing, the atmosphere in the arena was electric. Our athletes did us proud, supporting each other, working as a team and giving it their all. There were PB’s achieved and friendships formed. For some of our athletes it was their first experience at an event of this scale.
Speaking of their experience of the day, the young athletes commented on how much fun they were having, enjoying the opportunity to get to know their team-mates, as well as the encouraging atmosphere in the arena with comments added such as “you’re so focused on running but you can still hear everyone cheering you on”. The day was “really competitive” and “we worked really well in a team”.
Rachel Callan, young athlete volunteer advises “At this age it’s too early to specialise, they just have a go at every event to find out what they enjoy the most”. The boys enjoyed the multi event nature of the day, and stated they are “happy to do all events”, however one reported ” I don’t see the point in long jump, it gets your feet sandy”!
Special thanks to Edie Campbell, Giffnock North athlete, who kindly agreed to step in to help Cumbernauld boys make up a team.
Lots of highlights throughout the day with many personal bests being set, with the Boys A team achieving the fastest 4x200m relay time of the day.
Thanks to all of the coaches, officials and volunteers for organising and making the day run so smoothly.
Special thanks also to Finlay Weir and to James Turnbull and to Rachel Callan as our ace Team Managers on the day .
We also need to thank all the officials and organisers from Scottish Athletics whose superb organisation saw a slick but overwhelmingly enjoyable event for all the participants.
Fraser Angus Sprints to Gold
Alessandro Schenini leaps to Silver this time
Daniel Lees with Bronze in Shot Putt
And other Giffnock Success at U20 Scottish Indoor Championships
Giffnock North athletes great success at the U20 Scottish Athletics Indoor Championships at the Emirates arena on 2nd and 3rd of February.
Fraser Angus can’t stop winning at the moment. Having secured the Seniors Men’s 200m title last week, he turned his attention to the 60m U20 event. Fraser posted a PB in the semi-final and then again in the final to take Gold in a time of 7.05s. But he wasn’t alone in the final. Just missing out on the medals in a very tight finish was Alessandro Schenini – 4rth in 7.14 and Scot Wylie 5th in 7.19, both setting new PBs. More on Alessandro later!
Another sprint podium finish was secured by Freya Menzies in the 400m. She was the slowest to qualify for the final but tore up the form book and her own pb to come flying thru for silver in 58.32s.
In the field events we had more medal success.
Back to Alessandro…like Fraser Angus, he had secured Gold at the Senior Champs last week in his specialist event, the Long Jump. This week he jumped into silver with 7.34m. Both Alessandro and the winner beat the previous Championship Best Performance (CBP) of 7.12. In the shot putt David Lees secured bronze with a throw of 9.97m.
Back at the sprints Eve Denholm (6th, 7.96) and Megan Busby (7th, 8.00s) both set PBs in final of the Woman’s 60m, with Freya Cowan making it through to the semi-final (8.25s), only 1/100th of a second outside her recent PB. In the 200m, Holly Shearer made it to her first individual National Final (6th), setting a new PB of 26.42s on the way. Andy Moses also competed in the 60m.
In the middle-distance events, Orla Lang finished 5th in the 800m straight final (2:24.03) and Ben Shaw made it through to the 1500m final, finishing 7th (4:15.37).
And finally, and by no means least, Sam Young jumped 1.83m to finish 5th in the HJ final.
All our athletes put in tremendous performances and we congratulate them all. A huge vote of thanks is also due to everyone that supported our U20 Championship competitors both now and throughout their athletics careers. This extends to coaches, Scottish Athletics officials (how can you win a gold medal if there is no one there to fire the gun?), friends, families and loved ones.
And what next….? For some there is the Scottish Schools this coming week, Scottish and British University Champs, Indoor League Finals and Relay Champs. The season ain’t over yet!
Photos courtesy of Bobby Gavin
In the younger age groups, southside performances catching the eye included Amber Wade’s new championship best performance of two minutes 24.56 seconds in winning the U13 800m; Daniel Martin’s U15 60m hurdles victory (9.14 seconds) and Angelica Mayer’s U15 60m sprint gold (8.01 seconds). Mayer edged Elgin’s Tamsin Fowlie by two hundredths of a second for the title.
Daniel Martin in Hurdles Gold
Angelica Mayer in 60m Sprint Gold
Reuben MacDonald nailed a terrific personal best with a close fourth in his U15 800m in two minutes 10.35 seconds, in a race that saw the cbp obliterated by Law’s Oscar Logan (2:02.69, not bad for an Under 15 …).
Big congratulations also to Cameron Deverill for his U15 1500m bronze in his debut race for the club, not far ahead of team-mate Cameron Green. Ella McGregor blitzed her way to the U15 300 final with a fine 44.62 pb in qualifying, and was sixth in a very fast final. Felix Chan won U13 200m bronze (27.76 seconds); Katy Donnelly’ U13 1500m silver; Calan Chong U13 1500m silver; Cara Weir U13 1.43m high jump silver, with namesake Cara Slater close to the medals with 1.38m; and a memorable double silver for U13 Ryan Davie in high jump and long jump.
Ryan Davie in High Jump
Katy Donnelly in U13 1500m
Well done, one and all, never forgetting the officials, mums, dads, relatives, pals, coaches and supporters. Apologies to anyone not mentioned, it’s hard to keep track (and field) of all that’s going on. Keep up the good work, team. Do thy speedy utmost.
All photos by Bobby Gavin
GIFFNOCK NORTH AC’s track international Neil Gourley made a welcome return to Scotland last weekend from his American base, to get ready for the upcoming European Championships Trial Races in Birmingham. Running in an invitational 800m at Emirates Arena, in the colours of his new US club Oregon TC, Gourley won in a rock-solid one minute 48.65 seconds.
Gourley commented, “I’m preparing to contest the 1500m in the GB Trials. It’s first two over the line to gain automatic selection for the GB Team for the Euro Champs in Glasgow next month, and as a Glaswegian it would be brilliant to race in front of a home crowd. And for everyone at Giffnock North – at the trials I’ll be in blue and yellow!”
Welcome home (for a while) and good luck, Neil.
Photo courtesy of Bobby Gavin
U13 Some of the U13 Girls
Oliver Glass, Max Sheridan , Alfie Bradley & Felix Chan on way to the call room
Oh my goodness ..are we proud or what?
We had such a good day at the U13 Indoor Championships on Saturday 3rd Feb at the Emirates Arena
We had a grand total of 13 girls and 7 boys from the sprints/jumps group competing.
And what a performance they put on ..pb after pb ..final after final and then to top it all off, some medals in to the bargain!
We had plenty of action in the 60 m heats with 7 out of 7 girls getting pbs and 3 getting to semi finals where there were still more pbs.
And in the boys department we had 4 on the 60 m start line ..more pbs all round and Felix Chan getting through to both semi final and final. Felix ( who pb ‘d all day) came a fantastic 4th in the final cheered on by his loud and exuberant team mates!
Sprint hurdles was the domain of Sophie Ferguson and Ellis Nairne .Ellis coming 4th in a straight final. So very well done! Sophie gained another PB and was just unlucky not to make the final.And so to the jumps kings and queens. Ryan Davie achieving a silver medal in the high jump and bronze in the long jump ..making his Dad ( long jump coach) very proud!
And what an exciting season for our u13 girl high jumpers. Neither Cara
Weir or Cara Slater had competed seriously until a couple of months ago and yet they were right up there in the medal fight.
Cara Weir had an amazing 1.43 pb taking silver medal and Cara Slater losing out on countback jumping an amazing 1.38. Go girls! Heather Hepburn our lovely high jump coach has a lot to answer for.
And so to the 200ms…. At this stage the athletes and the string of coaches were getting in the swing of things …warm up..call room….next lot; warm up ..call room. A very eventful string of heats with yet more pbs. We had 6 boys in the 200ms…Felix Chan and Ellis Nairne progressing to semifinals. But fantastic and courageous performances from all ..Oliver
Glass even finishing off his race having gone over badly on his ankle. Felix, athlete extraordinaire of the day, having pb’d in every race , continued the trend and ran his way to a gutsy 3rd place in the final ..in his 6th race of the day!
U13 girls , not to be out done , 6 started off and guess what ..every one of them a pb.!
Major mention to Sophie Ferguson and Madeleine MacKenzie who knocked serious seconds off their exisiting times.
The latter both made it through to semifinals but these were really competitive and unfortunately final places were outwith their reach.
We had a great day all round and are so proud of all the athletes …they all know the routine re warm up ..we just steer them in the right direction towards call rooms. They do all the hard work!
Report from Dudley Walker
The Middle Distance squad had a great day at U13 Champs as well
The highlight being Amber Wade taking the U13 Girls 800m Title with a Championship Best Performance in 2.24.
Calan Chong and Katy Donnelly both took Silver medals in the 1500m Mitchell Scott was 4th and PBs were plentiful. Some new athletes dipping into the Champs and gaining valuable experience and PBS included Martin Rolfe and Charlie McAllister.
Now we are awaiting U15s!
Well done to all!Full results at this link
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WITH A SPECTACULAR, last-gasp record-breaking effort, Giffnock North AC’s Alessandro Schenini won the Scottish Indoor Senior Mens’ long jump title at Emirates Stadium, Glasgow, last weekend. Off the pace all day, Schenini delivered a stunning new national record leap of 7.52 meters to defend his 2018 title and deny Pitreavie rival Stephen Mackenzie by a single centimeter in the final round. Schenini’s clubmate Rachel Alexander took a fine bronze in the women’s event.
No less than three 200 m titles came Giffnock’s way. Fraser Angus powered to the senior men’s crown in 21.67 seconds, and Finlay Waugh nailed the U17 race with a championship best performance of 22.30 seconds. Alyson Bell took gold in her U17 200m with a 25.17 seconds effort, plus silver in the 60m (7.65 seconds).
U17 Reuben Nairne flew to a new Scottish indoor record with a soaring 4.61 meter clearance in the pole vault, to add to his 60 m hurdle title (8.24 seconds).
Another superb double gold went to U17 Murray Fotheringham, who won the long jump (7.08 m, a championship best performance) and high jump (1.93 m).
In the middle distances, Erin Wallace landed double silver in the senior ladies 800 and 1500 metres; Jacob Luc silver U17 800 m; Harris Paterson bronze U17 1500 m; Zoe Flower bronze U17 1500 m.
Niamh Graham takes Bronze in the Senior 400m, Ross Veitch Silver in 400m & Isla Fotheringham (as an U15) in the U17 Pole Vault Competition.
MORE SCOTLAND recognition for Giffnock North AC’s Luke Traynor, named in the seven-strong national squad for the prestigious Brooks Armagh International 5K in Northern Ireland on 14th February.
Reuben Nairne en route to 60 m hurdle glory.
Alessandro Schenini (centre): national U20 indoor long jump record breaker.
FPSG Scottish Athletics Senior & U17 Indoor Championships, January 26th 2019
(C) Bobby Gavin
Sprinter Alyson Bell won gold and silver.
Murray Fotheringham on the Podium with one of his Golds
Luke Traynor named in Scotland road race squad.
Photos courtesy of Bobby Gavin
Hamish Armitt en route to Inter District gold.
Report by Croy Thomson
THE PRESTIGIOUS Scottish Inter District Cross Country Championships last weekend in Stirling saw no less than 27 Giffnock North athletes take part across the various age groups for Team West, and bring home an individual title and medals aplenty against rivals from East and North Scotland.
Erin Wallace went in the 4x1500m mixed relay and edged her Scotland U20 foursome into fourth, though they eventually faded to seventh against high-class, and more senior, international competition from GB, Europe and USA. Track star Laura Muir anchored her GB squad to a comfortable win.
In the shadow of Stirling Castle, on a rolling surface of parkland and golf course, Giffnock’s Hamish Armitt won the U17 crown over 5k, just holding off team-mate Jack Patton, as they led West to team victory. West’s U17 girls took silver, with southsiders Helen Chong and Clare Wallace among the counting finishers. West’s U15s claimed both girls and boys crowns over 4k, with Chris Perkins second in the lads’ event, ably backed by Reuben MacDonald and Harris Paterson.
Reuben MacDonald on the left helped his U15 team to gold.
The triumphant U15 girls counters included Zoe Flower, Valencia Wright, Hannah Ryding and Julia Cash, who packed home 4th, 5th, 6th and seventh.
Craig Shennan took individual fourth with a last-gasp dip on the line to help West land the U13 title on countback over 3k, with Alex Robin in 11th. It’s worth noting that Calan Chong, while not counting for the team, finished ahead of the final East counter, which helped level the scores and forced the countback. West U13 girls took team silver, the counting athletes including Amber Wade and Katy Donnelly.
Big well done to all our athletes, who gave their all in an always competitive event that attracts top talent from every corner of the country. Cheers also to the organisers, officials, coaches, supporters, fans, pals and pets who made the journey (and the day).
Giffnock North Inter District Selections:
International Relay – Erin Wallace.
West District U20 – Charlotte McKenna
Under 17s – Hamish Armitt, Ethan Carolan, Jack Bell, Helen Chong, Clare Wallace, Jill Carswell and Kate Richardson (Heather Barnes was picked but declined, injured).
Under 15s – Zoe Flower, Valencia Wright, Hannah Ryding, Julia Cash, Kate Paul, Isla Scott, Chris Perkins, Reuben MacDonald, Harris Paterson, Ross O’Brien and Jacob Luc.
U13s – Amber Wade, Katy Donnelly, Kirsty Wylie, Craig Shennan, Alex Robin, Calan Chong and Matthew Murphy.
USA Captain Garrett Heath with Giffnock North athletes Matthew Murphy, Craig Shennan, Reuben MacDonald and Cameron Green.
Report by Gerry Duggan
PBs Smashed at Scottish National Indoor Open Event
48 Giffnock North athletes took to the track and field in 10 different events at the Scottish Athletics National Indoor Open at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow on Saturday 12 Jan.
Aiden Cunning (U15) setting PBs in both the 200 and 300m and Russell Lawson setting PB in 200m. Photos courtesy of www.athleticsdigital.com.
“Open” events are where athletes are grouped into heats where they compete against athletes with similar PBs, regardless of age or gender. In theory this means every race/jump/throw should be competitive and encourages better performances from each individual.
So that’s the theory, how did it work out in practice? Pretty good as it turns. As well as a new club Record for Rachel Alexander in the Senior Women’s Triple Jump with 11.22m, setting a new Senior Women record in the process. 29 of our athletes set new PBs on the day*. Well done to all of you. For full details, see Scottish National Open results on Power of 10. In addition the table below is a summary of Giffnock athletes setting PBs.
* This excludes any performances at SAIL Match 2 as the results from that event have still to be confirmed on Power of 10.
Also a link to the full Results with a tab highlighting Giffnock Athletes following .
Thanks Gerry for the Report
Photos courtesy of Athletics Digital & Bobby Gavin
CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS HERE
Doleen Galbraith Officiating at the XC Relays in Cumbernauld earlier this Year
At Giffnock North, this New Year,as we await the bells announcing the arrival of 2019 to sound, we have our own extremely significant and poignant connection to the important story hitting the headlines in Scotland today and particularly, the island of Lewis right now – the 100 Year Anniversary of the sinking of the Iolaire in the early hours of 1919 in sight of Stornoway harbour.For those who don’t know about this tragedy, particularly our youngest athletes, the Iolaire was the ship bringing home to the island a whole generation of young islanders – sailors- who had survived their struggles as part of the naval forces assembled for WW1 and were desperately trying to get home in time for the Bells.Over 200 young men drowned in the disaster
Our connection as a club is in the form of Doleen Galbraith one of our [& Scottish Athletics] most hardworking officials. When discussing this tragedy with her over the years the identity and unbelievable bravery of one of those sailors only emerged with gentle probing, echoing the modesty of her Grandfather John Finlay McLeod and his role on the fateful day.
For it was he who jumped in, swam to shore through what are unthinkable conditions, taking a rope which saved the lives of tens of men as they used it to leave the stricken ship.All of this happening, as the ship was crashing and sinking on the harsh rocks[ the appropriately named ” Beasts of Holm “as they are called on the island]
Many of our athletes have travelled over the last few years to the island to take part in and enjoy the brilliant regular Tri Club competitions organised by Stornoway AAC . Guess who always travels back to Lewis to officiate at these events as well as appearing on the start line of innumerable athletics events Indoor, Outdoor,District,National XC,League Meetings,Schools Competitions,SAIL Events,GAA meets locally and internal club events to assist our young athletes in getting used to competition and getting their foot on the start line. Yes, Doleen seems always to be there. We want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to that commitment of hers and to all our other hard working Club Officials, Anne Stewart,Colin Saxby, Graham Dunn, Neil Deery, Garry Paterson, Catriona Gourley, Danny O’Donnell, not forgetting Jim Galbraith who is another stalwart and indeed all the Scottish athletics officials who make our sport happen.
Thank you!
The young Athletes in the club had their Xmas Disco and Awards night on Friday 7th December in GHA.
This was a great event, well enjoyed by all the athletes and also by the coaches, helpers and parents who came along to see the fun.
The Awards presented at this event were 1) Certificates for all the U11s who have competed for the club on the Track at the SAIL [Scottish Athletics Indoor League ] last winter , the CSSL in the summer, 2) the Star Track event we held in the Emirates and, of course 3) for those who like the mud ,who turned out to compete for the Club at XC at the Renfrewshire Cross Country Relays and XC Championships as well as some other schools XC events.
We also recognised all the medalists Gold,Silver & Bronze in all 4 events contested at the Club Championships in September.
4) Finally, Awards were also presented to the U11 Athletes of the Year Male and Female.
We were honoured to have Nikki Manson, our superb High Jumper, present the Awards to the athletes on the night. Dudley Walker our great MC , explained in his introduction of Nikki her early start in the club, the range of events she competed in as an athlete from Middle Distance to Thows to Sprints to Jumps before finally settling on the High Jump as her preferred event. He suggested the young athletes should check out the huge array of Club Records which Nikki holds, at all Age Groups, in all these events, before outlining her National and International career as a High Jumper reaching the position of becoming the Scottish HJ Record Holder with her 1.90 Metre Jump. Nikki came along in her GB kit which she earned representing GB at the European indoor Championships when she and David Smith the club’s other prestigious High Jumper were both in the British Team. Both have also represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.
Dudley had brought along a measuring tape and with the help of one of the youngsters displayed what an achievement Nikki’s soaring 1.90 was. It was great to have Nikki there. She spoke to the athletes, shook all the hands , handed out the medals and certificates and patiently dealt with the queue of requests for signatures and selfies. Thankyou Nikki from all at the Young Athletes Disco & Awards Night and also from all at the Club for the experience of seeing your continuing development in your GB Scottish & Giffnock Vest.
Dudley had a very busy weekend : MC for this event, taking his squads to the West District XC Championships on Saturday, followed by another gig at the Main Awards Night on Saturday evening. Grateful thanks to him for generously giving his time.
Well done to all our athletes , those who have moved on to U13s, those still with the U11s and those who have recently joined us .
All the coaches and helpers think we have a great bunch of keen and enthusiastic Athletes to celebrate and the dance floor antics certainly underlined that. We had several athletes who were late due to being at their dance exams but who gave an impromptu display and then had everyone join in including coaches and helpers. Craig Armstrong led the Arm Wrestling competition in between dances . We don’t think he let anyone beat him.
Medal winnners below
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 2018
Joint Winners
Emily Williams & Freya Campbell
Oliver Bryers & Lewis Davidson
CLUB T&F CHAMPIONS
GIRLS
1)Madeleine Mackenzie
2)Emily Williams
3)Leilani Spelman Ikedashi
BOYS
1)Lewis Davidson
2)Alfie Bradley
3) Logan Johnston
A great event for the youngest of the future Club athletes.
We have to thank properly the following members of the Junior Committee who organised the night and did a great job especially ensuring the DJ and the always welcome Pizza delivery.
Lynda Scott, Tracey Davie & Alison Watson
Additional thanks to Emily and Eilidh for the service at the Juice Bar
A special thanks to James Turnbull , dad to Hannah who came and took all the photos on the night.
In conclusion the U11 Coach Team on the night of Craig Armstrong, John O’Donnell, Steve Taylor, Clare Stevenson and Andy Munro would like to thank our band of parent helpers ( soon to be coaches we hope) for their input on the night and at sessions.
Patricia Gallagher, Gillian Pollock, Gillian Gallagher &a Jennifer Jackson
Lachie Stewart , Erin Wallace and Luke Traynor
Giffnock North AC Annual Awards Night , Saturday 8th Dec
Report from Gerry Duggan.
It was the athletic version of A Christmas Carol at our Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday night, but instead of ghosts, we had heroes past, present and future in attendance.
Our Hero of the Past, and joint guest of honour, was Lachie Stewart, Scotland’s 10,000m gold medallist from the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. We were treated to video footage of Lachie charging down the back-straight to win his medal as he was being introduced to the attendees. A recent inductee into Scottish Athletics Hall of Fame, Lachie complemented the club for all its recent achievements and for developing such a strong young athlete section.
The other guest of honour and Hero of the Present, was our very own Luke Traynor. Luke has been tearing up the road racing circuit across Europe, winning the Ceske Budejovice Half Marathon, finishing second in the Manchester Half Marathon & third in the Great Scottish Run.
And why have one Hero of the Present when you can have two? We were delighted that Erin Wallace, World Junior Triathlon silver medallist and 1500m CYG Winner was able to join us too.
Luke and Lachie raced through the presentation of 30 plus Club awards, ranging from Under 11 to V55 Masters, [including all the National Title winners certificates which required a production line effort from Graham Dunn ] before finishing the awards section of the evening by presenting Erin with her Scottish Athletics Under 20 Athlete of the Year Award which she had missed out on receiving earlier due to training commitments.
While we congratulate all our award winners, listed below, we also salute everyone at the club who has trained and competed over the past year.
Medals and certificates awarded, the starter’s gun was fired for the fun part of the evening. Pausing only briefly to fuel up from the buffet and bar we swapped our spikes for dance shoes and took to the floor for some serious ceilidh dancing. The band was fantastic and the dance floor was full all night long.
Now you may be wondering about the Heroes of the Future? We were delighted that so many of our Junior Section were able to join us at the Awards Night. They burned off more energy on the Dance Floor than they do at a training session and a few may even have set a personal best or two in the process! This group of young men and women will be our Heroes of the Future, whether winning National or International medals, competing and coaching for Giffnock North or simply maintaining an enthusiasm for the sport we all love.
We hope everyone enjoyed the evening and hope the coming year brings more success for Giffnock North that we can celebrate next year. A huge vote of thanks to all those who organised and helped make the night such a great success.
Thanks Gerry.
Special thanks also to Dawn Armitt for her role in organising, and Dudley Walker, our ace MC and Coach to the XC Squads as ever, here sharing memories of athletics with Lachie, his former clubmate at Shettleston Harriers. David Chong for taking all the photos and to all the others who helped to ensure we had a great night recognising the efforts and achievements of all the athletes. But special thanks reserved for Lachie Stewart who at 75 looks as fit as a fiddle and who regaled Dudley and Billy with his amazing tales of competing abroad and finding the prizes were such items as a fridge! From Spain to Glasgow not really possible !!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ol4qqwzkzesa5l1/AAC2OnnCWew3Qyb2JPNEaAl9a?dl=0
After most of the juniors had finished, just as the weather was closing in, the seniors took to the muddy course in Kilmarnock yesterday.
Churned to a quagmire in places, it was a challenging run, and slightly longer than advertised!
Mary McCutcheon had a strong run from the gun and was the first Giffnock female across the line, with Allie Chong one place behind her. Mary’s run made her the clear winner in the FV50 category – another medal for her trophy collection.
Frances Lowrie and Kathleen McLachlan made up the ladies team, finishing in 5th spot, with Mary, Allie and Kathleen claiming silver in the Masters team category.
Chris Greenhalgh led the Giffnock men round the hilly 8.5k in the men’s race, finishing in 46th place. Jordan Orr had a strong run as Giffnock’s second counter and Luke Chamberlain, Ted Gourley, John O’Donnell and Jason Steele made up the rest of the team, who finished in 7th spot. The men’s Masters Team were just punched out of the medals by one point, finishing just behind rivals Garscube.
All in all 20 seniors competed boding well for the Nationals in February, where even greater numbers are hoped for.
Thanks to Allie Chong for reporting for the Club Seniors and Masters .We can only echo her sentiments for an enhanced turn out for the Nationals .
Well done all the club athletes but especially Mary and the masters silver team medallists Allie & Kathleen adding to the weekend haul of medals.
Provisional results :
https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/lindsays-district-xc-centre-stage-three-venues/
Harris Paterson to the fore!
Helen Chong & Clare Wallace for the U17 Women’s Team.
Report from Croy Thomson.
SIX TEAM GOLDS and a team bronze were on the scoreboard for Giffnock North AC’s juniors and Under 20s, and that was before the Seniors and Masters results were in at the West District Cross Country Champs
A most unfortunate stewarding error saw the U13 Girls run a (very) short race but Amber Wade, Katy Donnelly and Kirsty Wylie still claimed the team crown amid a crowded finish that needed video reviews to settle the result. Giffnock ultimately edged Ayr Seaforth by one point. The U13 Boys ran the full distance of 3.2k to deliver the same title-winning result, with Craig Shennan, Matthew Murphy and Alex Robin doing the damage.
U15 titles over four testing, muddy kilometers went to Valencia Wright, Zoe Flower and Julia Cash (first, third and fourth) and to Harris Paterson, Jacob Luc and Ross O’Brien. Under 17 Girls Heather Barnes, Helen Chong and Clare Wallace brought home the fourth crown of the day after 5.5k, before, and with the weather worsening amid gathering gloom, the U20 Girls lit up the day yet again, this time over 6.5k. Erin Wallace, Charlotte McKenna and Rhona Mowat earning the applause.
Under 17 Gents Ethan Carolan, Jack Bell and Blayne Wright – closely pursued by Andrew Robertson – produced a hard-earned bronze medal performance over 5.5k.
Great to see successful returns to action from Zoe Flower, Heather Barnes, Erin Wallace and Lynn McKenna among others. Commiserations and Get Well Soon to Hamish Armitt, Calum Young and Kate Richardson. Splendid to see Emily Crusher turning out for Glasgow Yooni – and making it onto the podium with her team. We applaud bigly the efforts of the coaches, officials, timekeepers, starters, families, fans, startled onlookers, dogs, tent wranglers et al.
Senior and Masters results weren’t available at time of scribbling, sorry. If I have any names wrong, I’m sorry about that too.
Well done to all our hard-working athletes who have gained automatic selection for West District squads. To those on the cusp, keep the faith, keep believing and above all .. keep training. Onwards!
Photos courtesy of Bobby Gavin & Scottish Athletics
Full results including Senior club athletes and more photos soon.Well done to all. We know you will have got the mud off before enjoying the Ceilidh and the Awards Night!
Junior Christmas Disco – Friday 7th Decmeber
Club Awards Night – Saturday 8th Decmeber