Noticeboard: Sammi; SVHC teams; Killie XC; RPMF Fund

Wednesday 12th October 2016

Paralympian Sammi Kinghorn has only been back in Scotland a few weeks from Brazil – but already she is setting her sights on the London 2017 Champs.

It has been a rollercoaster few years for the Borders-based wheelchair racer with a Commonwealth Games appearance, triple European champion, World Championships bronze medallist and now the Rio experience.

‘At first, with all the hype of Rio and everything it was kind of hard to come down and get back to normal, but it was worth it,’ said Sammi. ‘I’m back in training, transitioning into my full winter training, as I just didn’t think there was any point in taking time off just now.

‘All my friends are back at university so I’d just be sitting about in the house on my own, athough I am going to take some time off over Christmas and for my (21st) birthday.

‘I’m really lucky that I’m going to have two home Games in my career already. Not many people get that experience. I can still remember the screams from Glasgow and I’m sure we’ll get the same in London. I’ll have four events, with the 200m coming back in. That’s really exciting and I hope I’ll get even closer to the medals.’

Sammi has agreed again to be an Ambassador for Harper Macleod and has written a blog post with her thoughts for the future.

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Action from the SVHC trial races

Glasgow’s Tollcross Park plays host to the Home Countries event on Saturday 12 November and the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club have named their selections.

There are many familiar names in there across the age-groups in five-year bandings from V35 with these selections following on from a trial event over the same course back in September.

Well done to those athletes selected and their families, coaches and clubs.

Details on the teams announced are on the SVHC website

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14 Scots land RPMF grants for 2016

The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund has been a great supporter of Scottish athletes in the recent past and applications are now open for 2017.

Previous beneficiaries of an annual award include Greg Rutherford, Christine Ohuruogu, Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sophie Hitchon, Robbie Grabarz, Sabrina Bakare, Tayler Campbell, Morgan Lake and many more.

Earlier this year, we announced that 14 Scots were recipients for 2016. Commonwealth Youth Games medallists Cameron Tindle, Ben Greenwood, Rachel Alexander, Alisha Rees and Carys McAulay all received awards. They were joined by Katy Brown, Joe Arthur, Emma Canning, Maddie Murray, Adam Scott, Cameron Boyek, Jack Lawrie, Rachel Hunter and Mhairi Hendry.

Grants are available to both able-bodied and Para athletes between the ages of 15 and 23. Grants to athletes over 23 may be made in exceptional circumstances. Those making applications should be aware certain standards are being sought – usually via British rankings on Power of 10 in particular events.

More details and application form

The 2017 application process closes on Monday 28 November. There is more on the RPMF website

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Kilmarnock Harrriers are stepping up promotion of their Open XC event on Sunday 13 November – with sponsorship support from Scottish Power Energy Networks.

The first race is at 12.30pm that day with 10 in all, from U11 athletes to Seniors/Vets.

For everyone up to and including U17s, it is £4 on the day to race with the prices for the other age-groups £5 for SAL members and £7 for non-members.

Entry on the day from 11.00 am but clubs and individuals can facilitate faster registration by pre notification to john.gebbie@btinternet.com

Download course map and race details here – race-details-and-course-map

Download full event info, including directions, parking and prizes, here – event-information

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Tags: Kilmarnock Harriers, London 2017, Paralympics, Rio, Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, Sammi Kinghorn