Masters chase medal glory

Thursday 29th January 2015

Masters athletes will chase Scottish Championship medals this weekend – amid the mud of Kilmarnock and across the boards of the Emirates Arena.

The venues for the Masters XC and the Masters Track and Field are separated by a few miles of motorway, but the common theme will be a deep determination to produce a best performance whatever the circumstances and, doubtless, the weather in Ayrshire.

We’re delighted that almost 400 athletes put their names forward for the Masters XC event at Kilmarnock – with a record Women’s entry of 113.

That reflects continued growing interest in the sport in Scotland and in fact mirrors significant rises in the Women’s entry numbers for the National XC, which takes place at Falkirk next month. Clubs should note that National XC entries close by post on Monday of next week (2 February).

Only twice in the past 17 years has the entry list figure for women topped 100 and hopefully there will be a really good turnout come Saturday afternoon in the various age brackets from V40.

Start-lists and information are online on the Events section of the website and that includes course map. Please note that some arrangements at Kilmarnock may be subject to change depending on local conditions.

A number of Scotland Veteran international athletes will be taking part and no doubt the podium will be well-populated by many of those who were involved in the British Masters XC at Nottingham in November.

Thanks also, in advance, to Kilmarnock Harriers for their efforts in hosting and to all those athletes, clubs, coaches and volunteer officials who are supporting the event.

Scottish Masters at Nottingham

*The Masters track and field Champs also takes place on Saturday at the Emirates Arena.

With the likes of John Thomson, scottishathletics Masters Athlete of the Year, Laura Mahady, Fiona Davidson, Sonia Armitage, Ron Todd, Alan Robertson, Stephen Allen, Ron Hunter, Bob Douglas and Ken Moncrieff involved there’s sure to be great competition at the indoor arena.

All the start-lists are now online on the Events section of our website.

There were over 100 entries received for the Masters Track and Field. Medals for 3000m Champs were previously awarded in various age-groups earlier in January, when those races were tied-in with the GAA Miler Meet.

Thanks to those athletes and clubs who have supported both Masters events for this weekend.

(We do apologise – once again – for the clash of fixtures. This was not originally scheduled and only arose after the Emirates Arena landed the Davis Cup tennis).