Wide awake Morag runs 5k course record

Thursday 8th May 2014

Morag MacLarty raced to a new course record in the Scottish 5k champs at Silverknowes just 24 hours after competing in a BMC event in Manchester and only a few hours sleep.

And Tewolde Mengisteab claimed his first national title at this distance with the Shettleston Harriers athlete winning in 14.40 from Grant Sheldon (14.46) and Ross Houston (14.48).

A large entry field once again savoured the flat course at Silverknowes for a Scottish title/Self Transcendence race organised by Run and Become.

Check out our 5k Champs finish line video below:

In the team event, there were wins for Ronhill Cambuslang in the men’s race and Central in the women with Kerry Liam-Wilson, for the fourth year in a row, and Jenny MacLean picking up vets individual golds.

Central were aided significantly by MacLarty’s impressive first place in a time of 16.14 as she headed Edinburgh AC’s Laura Dunn (16.55) and HBT’s Shona McIntosh (17.16) in the women’s top three.

‘I was due to do a tempo run on Wednesday night after competing in Manchester on Tuesday night and I just decided during the day that I fancied the 5k,’ said Morag, now back being coached again by Derek Easton.

‘I am trying to get the Commonwealth Games qualifying time for the 1500m so I am racing quite a lot. I am getting used to that again and enjoying it.

‘It didn’t go quite as I’d hoped in Manchester in an 800m. I did 2.11 after a first lap of 62 and then something just happened on the second lap and I was disappointed.

‘We came back up the road and I got to sleep about 3.30am. But I went a wee run after I got up and felt quite good.

‘It was a little windy at Silverknowes and I believe Elspeth Curran’s course record was 16.27 so I’m really pleased with my performance.

‘I’ve never raced the 5k champs and some people are now saying maybe I should be thinking about this distance!

‘There’s not long to go now in the Games qualifying period obviously and I plan to run a 1500m at Watford on May 17.

‘It is one of those things ñ time is running out a bit but you have to give it go, don’t you? If it doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen.’

Shettleston’s Tewolde was delighted with his first Scottish 5k win.

‘I’ve not won here before and it was a good race,’ he said.

‘There were three of us in a group going into the last stretch so it was nice to win. I’ve run 14.20 before for 5k but it was a little bit windy.’

Sheldon took second place and won the U20 title from Cambuslang team-mate, Ryan Thomson. Edinburgh AC’s Andrew Lawler was third.

Catriona Graves was the best female junior but, as an U17 athlete, didn’t affect the U20 medals won by Amy Frankland, Isla Mackay and Sarah King.

Once again many thanks to Adrian Stott and his team at Run and Become as well as the Road Running and Cross Country Commission for all their efforts on Wednesday.

*Picture by Sue Gyford of scottishathletics

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