Friday night athletics in Glasgow

Wednesday 3rd June 2015

Glasgow Miler Meet athletes on the trsack at Hutchesons' Grammar

Action from the main 3000m men’s race in 2014 – photo by Bobby Gavin

Start-lists and timetable on our Events page

The GAA Miler Meet takes place at Hutchesons Grammar School in Glasgow on Friday night – and these events are proving a big hit with endurance athletes and coaches.

There are no fewer than 14 races scheduled at 800m and four more at 3000m this time around, with more than 190 athletes on start-lists.

GB internationals like Laura Muir, Phil Hurst,Guy Learmonth, James Bowness and Andrew Butchart have all competed in recent years and the current rise in standards in Scottish women at 800m may be partly attributable to the paced race event format piloted by the GAA.

In fact, the women’s top 800m race on Friday may be one of the most competitive of the evening with the starters set to include Philippa Millage, Jenny Tan, Maddie Murray, Kathryn Gillespie and Jemma Reekie.

The top 3000m race is one of the first on the programme – at just after 7pm – and the entrants there include Craig Ruddy, Alistair Hay, Russell Mountford, Jonny Glen, Scott McDonald, Stuart Gibson and Ryan Thomson.

That race should feature a medal battle at U20 level with the meeting including the Scottish Champs at U20 and U17 for men and women. Athletes involved in these should note the top three times recorded across all races will be the medallists.

There’s a cash incentive, too, on the night with the standards being asked for 3000m are to better 8.10 for men and to better 9.10 for women. In the 800m, the targets are to better 1.50 for men and to better 2.05 for women.

With so many athletes involved, there is a hectic programme for the night with the first race at 6.45pm and the action continuing right through to after 9pm.

The GAA and scottishathletics are very keen to create a good atmosphere on Friday night at Hutchesons and would urge clubs, parents, training partners and friends to come along and support athletes and try and help achieve many PBs.

Admission is £3 for adults and it is free for U16s.

Scottish Champs Medals at 3000m for U20/U17

*The next GAA Miler Meet – the third of a summer series – is back at Hutchesons on Friday 24 July.

Races that evening are over 1500m and 5000m and entries are now open online via the British Milers Club website. There are up to 140 spots in the 1500m and 40 over 5000m.

This event doubles up as the scottishathletics District Champs for 5000m for Seniors – with East, West and North medals awarded depending on times and the geography of the athlete’s club.

If you are among those competing this Friday or indeed missed out on the 800/3000m event, then why not enter now for 1500/5000m – with the July 24 event scheduled appropriately to fit with forthcoming Scottish Senior and Age Group Champs at Aberdeen and Grangemouth respectively in August.

Tags: GAA Miler Meet, Hutchesons Grammar, Scottish 3000m Champs