Athletics: Veterans take the limelight

Feb 12 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

VETERANS flew the flag for Lothian Running Club in both the men’s and women’s races at the Scottish Athletics Masters Championships at Irvine Royal Academy last Saturday.

Since the inauguration of the event in 1972, Lothian Club athletes have struck gold twice, with Colin Meek taking the M40 title in 2003, and Penny Rother emulating that feat two years later in the W45 category.

On this occasion all club athletes taking part were vets in either the W45 or M45 categories – with four in the women’s and three in the men’s events.

The women’s race was over 6.6km, with the first three runners back from each club counting towards the team competition.

First runner home for Lothian was Lynne Murray (in 27mins 10secs) in 18th place overall and seventh W45.

She was followed over the line in 36th place by Helen Murray (29:04), 13th W45.

Saran Jones (29:32) was right on her coattails in 41st overall, and 14th W45.

At the end of the event the Lothian women’s team finished in a creditable eighth place, as 70 runners completed the race with Jennifer McLean, of Edinburgh AC, emerging as champion.

A big field of 169 athletes completed the 9.9km of the men’s event.

Kenton Jones got round in (40:57) to place 108th, followed two places further back in 110th by David Bell (41:11) and James Alexander (44:53) in 142nd. In the M45 category the trio placed 26th, 28th and 30th respectively.

The title was retained by Robert Quinn, of Kilbarchan AC.

There was disappointment for Lothian Running Club’s Sarah Inglis at the weekend. Sarah, who is enjoying a good cross-country season, was all set to represent Edinburgh University at the British University’s Cross Country Championship in Aberdeen on Saturday.

However, due to adverse weather conditions in the Granite City the event was postponed the day before the event.

This weekend is set to be another busy one for the athletes, with the Bank of Scotland Age Group Indoor Championships taking place over Saturday and Sunday at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, with the U-13 and U-15 events on Saturday and the U-17 and U-20 on Sunday.

Also on Sunday is the East Lothian Open Cross Country Championships at Meadowmill Sports Centre Grounds, Prestonpans.