Athletes reign in Kingdom as Sarah crosses border to keep her progress on track

Jul 9 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

LOTHIAN Running Club athletes enjoyed a successful day in Fife on Sunday competing at the Cupar Highland Games while across Hadrian’s Wall, Sarah Inglis lopped another large chunk off her personal best for 3000 metres at the Aviva English Athletics U23 and under 20 Championships.

The Kingdom has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the club athletes this summer with Sarah Inglis doing a double at the Markinch Games and Mhairi Inglis and Darren Thomson triumphing at Newburgh.

On Sunday at Cupar it was the turn of Robert Inglis to emulate his sisters by racing to victory in the Open 1600 metres Handicap.

Robert started from the backmark in the field of 10 runners, running from a start of 85 metres he gradually worked his way past his rivals and hit the front with 100 metres to run and go on and break the tape in 4 mins 18.10secs.

Darren Thomson has shown consistency in the Open 90 metres races this season and he maintained his form at Duffus Park.

The Bathgate sprinter won his heat before going on to be a close runner up in the grand final behind David Watson, Kilbarchan AC.

In the youth events 12 year old Lauren Arbuckle continues to get among the prizes with regularity and Lauren, from Addiewell, finished second in her heat in the youth's 90 metres Handicap which qualified her for the final where she finished in third place.

Later in the day she contested the youth's 800 metres Handicap running another fine race to take second place behind Craig Stephens from the Dunfermline West Fife club.

In the Open 800 metres Handicap Mhairi Inglis finished just outside the prizes in fifth place.

Last week, Sarah Inglis braved and tamed temperatures well into their 30s when she smashed her personal best for the 3000 metres by an incredible 7.22 seconds.

The 17-year-old Edinburgh University PE student was competing at the prestigious Aviva England Athletics U-23 and U-20 Championships and European trials meeting at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium.

Sarah was once again pitched in with a high quality field in the U-20 Women's 3000 metres Championship, but as shown in the past she is not one to shy away from a challenge.

In searing heat, the Lothian athlete powered round the 7.5 laps of the track in a fast 9 minutes 39.65 seconds which placed her in a creditable sixth place behind winner Beth Potter from the Victoria Park, Glasgow club who was the only other Scot in the line up.

Sarah's time was marginally short of the 9m 30s standard for qualification for the European U-20 Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia later this month, but that doesn't take anything away from another marvellous performance.

This was the third time during June that Sarah, who is the current Scottish Universities outdoor and indoor champion over 3000 metres, has lowered her PB over the distance.

Sunday's new figures has also moved her up to second in the U-20 women's 3000 metres Scottish Power10 ranking's for 2009.

Elsewhere last weekend 12-year-old Lauren Arbuckle was the Lothian RC's only representative at Scotland's oldest Highland Games at Ceres in Fife.

And the Addiewell youngster didn't leave empty handed following third places in both the Youth's 200 metres and 800 metres Handicaps.

A contingent of club runners took to the hills for the Red Moss Revolution Race at Balerno, with first back in 6th place Ross Milne (37m 25s), he was followed home by club mates 37th Matt Richardson (45.30), 73rd Kate Kitches (51.00), 83rd Jill Horsburgh (54.00), 96th Mags Turnbull (56.10), 97th Jim Salvage (58.28) and Alison McQuillen (61.25).

A total of 111 runners completed the course.