Kathryn’s sponsorship boost

Wednesday 27th August 2014

*Kathryn pictured above (centre) after winning 200m at Kilmarnock with silver medallist Stacey Downie (right) and Susanna Banjo. Photo by Bobby Gavin.

It has been a good week for Scottish sprinter Kathryn Christie.

The Banchory Stonehaven/Edinburgh AC athlete has been named among 32 recipients from across Britain as those to benefit from new sponsorship via SportsAid and backed by MyLotto24.

Kathryn will receive a £1000 grant from SportsAid as part of the project to help with her training and competition costs.

And she celebrated in fine style over last weekend by becoming only the third Scot in the past 20 years to win the women’s 200m title at the UK Inter Counties Track and Field Champs in Bedford.

The 19-year-old, who had won a Scottish Senior sprint double at Kilmarnock the week before, followed that up with a PB of 23.55 to win the 200m in Bedford and match the achievements of Mel Neef in 1995 and Lee McConnell in 2009 – although unfortunately the wind was just beyond the legal limit.

She then clocked a wind-assisted 11.77 to finish second in the Inter Counties 100m just behind Trafford’s Louise Bloor (11.66).

‘Kathryn has been working very hard in training and it is great to see her making progress,’ said her coach, Willy Russell.

‘The cash award from SportsAid is helpful as it will go towards her costs competing all over Britain. It is nice to be part of the programme backed by MyLotto24 with people from different sports across Britain receiving help.

‘Kathryn is fortunate to also have some backing locally from the building firm, the Bancon Group, and we appreciate that kind of support.

‘She’s an athlete determined to improve and the runs in Bedford are encouraging.’

Details of the SportsAid award are on the organisation’s website.

Intriguingly, a move up to 400m remains an option for Kathryn, who experimented with a relay run over the one-lap distance at Loughborough when Scotland fielded two teams. She was also a silver medallist at the distance in the 2014 Scottish Indoor Champs.

‘She will do a 400m before the season ends and we will see where that puts her in terms of rankings,’ added Willy. ‘I believe she has the strength for it.’

Christie won the 100m and 200m in difficult conditions at the Scottish Seniors at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena – and you can watch those races on our video highlights packages from Kilmarnock

Tags: Edinburgh AC, Kathryn Christie, Scottish Senior Champs