Noticeboard: West Road Champs; Mongolia; Throws GP; Schools; Disability XC

Tuesday 2nd February 2016

Leaders at Tom Scott Ten-Miler 2015 – now it will stage 2016 West District Champs (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Three races have been chosen as West District Road Race Championships for 2016.

Thanks to all those event-organisers who put themselves forward to stage these races – with those offers much appreciated by West District officials.

Now there are 10-Mile, 10K and Half Marathon opportunities coming up to win West District medals at the following events.

*The Tom Scott 10-Miler on Sunday 10 April (this also includes the Scottish 10-Mile Champs) organised by Law and District AAC

Enter here: http://www.stuweb.co.uk/events/2016/04/10/2321/

*The Brian Goodwin 10K on Friday 17 June in Glasgow and organised by Bellahouston Harriers

Enter here: http://www.stuweb.co.uk/events/2016/06/17/2399/

*The Dumfries Half Marathon on Sunday 25 September

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Andrew Murray in Outer Mongolia (photo courtesy of John Graham/DigitalPict)

The inaugural Genghis Khan Ice Marathon has taken place in brutal conditions in Outer Mongolia, with British athletes placing first in both the men’s and women’s race.

The race which took place on a frozen river system saw temperatures of -34 celcius in a country with the lowest density of human habitation on earth, in an area where wolves are more prevalent than people.

First place went to seasoned endurance athlete Doctor Andrew Murray who added the Genghis Khan Ice Marathon title to wins in the North Pole Marathon, and the Antarctic Ice Marathon. Murray, 35, from Scotland won in a blistering time of 3:07, with Douglas Wilson of Australia 2^nd in 3:42, and Paul Dunstan of England 3^rd in 4:12 .

The women’s race was won by Edinburgh resident, Lucja Leonard (Australia/ UK) in 4:19; with Lenka Istvanova of Slovakia, and Marina Ranger (England) sharing 2^nd place.

The race was organised by seasoned expedition leader David Scott, of Sandbaggers. He said: ‘Mongolia in winter is one of the most beautiful places you can imagine, but also one of the most hostile. Perhaps it is unsurprising that few have attempted any serious endurance challenges there in winter, given the consequences of anything going wrong out there.

‘The times the athletes ran were impressive, and only 2 competitors sustained frostbite, which was mild in degree. One competitor did go missing for a period of time, but he was found safe and well after a search and rescue operation.

‘Judging by the reaction there seems a real appetite for this to be an annual event, for experienced competitors. The communities we stayed with in Mongolia were hugely welcoming, and we enjoyed sharing some Scottish culture with the Ulan Batar Burns supper, and playing some wild golf on what we labelled ‘the cold course’.’

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Online entry for Throws Grand Prix

scottishathletics are pleased to announce that following on the success of the Throws Grand Prix earlier this year, the Series will continue for 2016.

Craigswood Stadium in Livingston will be the venue for each of the four competitions and athletes, coaches, clubs and parents are asked to start making plans for the following dates:

Sunday 10 April; Saturday 4 June; Saturday 23 July; Saturday 3 September

Pre-competition entries will be the same as last year; only £5 and entries on the day will be £10. There will be a Series Entry on offer at £16.

Online entry is open now and you can do so for the Series (4 events) or each individual meet. Pre-competition entries will close the week before the event.

Prizes will be awarded throughout the age groups with more details to be announced early in 2016. The series, as in previous years, will incorporate Hammerama and will include IPC events for seated and ambulant athletes.

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The Scottish Schools indoor track and field Champs take place on Wednesday and Thursday of this week at the Emirates Arena.

Good to see once again that Rotary International are supporting this event and we know that kind of backing is firmly appreciated by the Scottish Schools AA.

The timetable for the event is on the SSAA website as well as key information. (Please note that this is not a scottishathletics Championship as such and we don’t cover it in the way we would a national championship).

Also on the SSAA website, there are details about the Scottish Schools Cross Country event – which is now taking place on Wednesday 9 March. Athletes should be checking with their PE teacher or school admin staff on entries with the deadline approaching (February 19).

Good luck to all involved this week at the Emirates.

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Owen Miller – East winner

Cross country events for Para athletes have been taking place around Scotland in association with scottishatheltics and Scottish Disability Sport.

Kirkcaldy staged the third round of the East Series XC recently in partnership with Fife AC, Kirkcaldy High School and Kirkcaldy Rugby Club.

The Seniors race involved Fife AC T20 athletes Owen Miller, who is coached by Steve Doig, and Sam Fernando, who is coached by Ron Morrison. Race favourite and current Scottish champion Owen Miller, completed the 3k course in 11.48 with Sam 2^nd in 12.17.

The West match took place the following day at Bellahouston – with 180 athletes taking part.

Well done and thanks to all the agencies and partners involved in helping with these events.

Tags: Dr Andrew Murray, Livingston, Outer Mongolia, Owen Miller, Scottish Schools Athletics Association, Scottish Schools XC, Throws Grand Prix, West District Road Champs