Aberdeen ready to host Seniors

Thursday 13th August 2015

Aberdeen Sports Village – new track surface opened this week

#SALChamps

2015 Athletes Information seniors

Aberdeen is centre stage for the Scottish Seniors Champs – with a busy weekend in prospect with coveted titles and medals up for grabs.

A number of Glasgow 2014 athletes as well as Delhi Commonwealth Games representatives, GB U20 track and field internationals, GB cross country internationals and Commonwealth Youth Games athletes are on start-lists to compete for titles.

Defending champions could be very much to the fore, too, with a series of well-known names like Kirsty Law, Angus McInroy, Emily Dudgeon, Rachael Mackenzie, Sarah Warnock, Maddie Murray, Kirsty Yates, Greg Millar, Grant Muir, David Martin and Sean Fontana among those looking to replicate their success from Kilmarnock 12 months ago.

With Para success events and age group relay events (on Sunday), there should be plenty of excitement and entertainment at Aberdeen Sports Village on both days and we’d urge those with an interest in athletics to come along if possible and support the Senior Champs.

It is believed to be only the second time in over a century that the track and field champs have moved outside Scotland’s Central Belt in terms of location and it has been pleasing to see 286 Senior athletes put their names forward.

Seniors start-lists and Timetables

Remember, too, that we will have a live stream of the event thanks to our partnership with Vinco Sport and with support from Aberdeen City Council. Follow the link on Vinco’s website to access the coverage, please.

Leslie Roy, scottishathletics President, is very much looking forward to the Seniors:

‘There are seven athletes on GB duty at the World Championships in Beijing but there’s still an array of talent to be watched in events over the weekend.

‘There are a number of athletes who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and also many of our up and coming young athletes who are due to jet off to Samoa for the Commonwealth Youth Games at the end of the month or have just returned from European Age Group Championships in Sweden or Estonia.

‘Thanks to Aberdeen City Council and the management and staff at Aberdeen Sports Village for getting the stadium looking at its very best for these Championships. Thanks also go to the officials and volunteers who give up much of their time to support these Championships.

‘Finally to all athletes competing over the weekend either in Individual events or Junior relays, please enjoy the experience and I do hope you achieve your goals.’

Myles Edwards

Of course, Aberdeen is a ‘home Games’ for some including the likes of Scotland internationals Myles Edwards, Michael Ferguson and Stephen Dunlop and GB age group internationals Zoey Clark and Kelsey Stewart.

‘Aberdeen Sports Village is a great facility and I think you can feel legacy happening there,’ said Myles.

‘The staff have the right attitude. It is great the Scottish champs are coming to Grampian – it is excellent for the local athletes and I’d urge people to come along and support on Saturday and Sunday, if they can.’

Stewart races in the 400m after picking up silver last year when making her debut at the Seniors as an U20 athlete.

‘I am desperate to race again after being at the Euro U20s with the GB relay squad, where I was disappointed not to run,’ said Kelsey. ‘I am really looking forward to it and trying out the new track at ASV.’

Commonwealth Youth Games athlete, Alisha Rees, is another Grampian medal hope and the young sprinter is set to feature in the 200m on Sunday.

Eilish McColgan

*Olympian and Scottish steeplechase record holder, Eilish McColgan, will be in Aberdeen on Sunday to help with the official opening of the new track facility.

The Aberdeen Sports Village surface has been re-laid over the past few months and opened again earlier this week – just in time for the Senior Champs.

Eilish tweeted: ‘I am really looking forward to being there and watching the #SALChamps on Sunday afternoon.’

The Seniors are from 12.45pm on Saturday and 1.30pm on Sunday at Aberdeen Sports Village with admission £3 for adults and U16s free. There are age group relays on Sunday afternoon, too. Check the timetable and start-lists for info, please.

Watch highlights of the 2014 Seniors