Athletics: Lana flies flag for her nation

Aug 13 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LOTHIAN race ace Lana Turnbull chalked up another personal best this week as she starred on her track debut for Scotland.

The Lothian Running Club athlete trimmed 12 seconds off her PB in the 1500 metres steeplechase at the Celtic Games in Carmarthen, West Wales.

Lana, from Livingston, raced to victory in a time of five minutes 46.21 seconds and crossed the chalk a full seven seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

The result of the overall competition was: Ireland 158, Scotland 147, Wales 127 and Ulster 98.

There was further good news for Lothian Running Club as Sarah Inglis notched up yet another PB as she took the bronze medal in the Women's 1500 metres at the Bank of Scotland under 20 / under 23 Championships at Grangemouth.

In adverse conditions, Sarah, who is the current Scottish under 20 3000 metres champion, came home in third place in a time of four minutes 24.21 seconds which was 1.12 seconds quicker than her previous best set early July.

Sarah has also been in action on the roads and she continued her winning ways with another victory, this time in the Scottish Gas/City of Edinburgh 5k race.

Sarah won the Women's race in a time of 17 minutes 27 seconds, which was over two minutes faster than her only other recorded Power 10 time.

Further north, Lothian Running Club athletes enjoyed another successful afternoon at the Perth Highland Games.

Ten-year-old Hannah Stewart from Blackburn followed up her previous weeks win by racing to victory in the Youth's 800 metres handicap. She was followed home by clubmate Lauren Arbukle from Addiewell in third place.

Lauren was also in the prize money in the Youth's 200 metres where she managed to hold off everyone with the exception of backmarker Craig Bell.

It was also a good day in the Open events for both Darren Thomson and Mhairi Inglis.

Darren was just pipped into second place in the 200 metres handicap but later in the day went on to win the 400 metres in impressive fashion in 48.16 seconds.

Mhairi Inglis ran a brave race in the Open 800 metres handicap to finish in second place behind fellow female competitor Laura Muir DWF.

Mhairi who is gradually fighting her way back to full fitness also contested the strength sapping 3200 metres handicap where she had to dig deep into her reserves to maintain third spot.

Despite having to run with an injured hand Darren Thomson still managed to clinch the Fife Highland Games points league for events up to 400 metres at Inverkeithing Highland Games.

Going into the days events Darren led by two points. His tally was soon boosted by a third place in the 90 metres handicap. He added to that in the 200 metres handicap where he finished runner up and with none of his near rivals scoring the title was his.

All in all it was a good day for the club runners who took part and 10-year-old Ian Horsburgh went back across the Forth with £100 following wins in the Youth's 1600 metres handicap and second places in the 800 metres and 200 metres.

These results mean Iain has tied for first place in the Fife Highland Games Association points league for Youth.s

Lauren Arbuckle triumphed in the Youth's 800 metres for the second year in succession s and he was also fifth in the Youth's 200 metres.Lauren's win moved her to the top of SHGA points league for Youth events over 400 metres.

Alice Horsburgh took fourth place in the 800 with Bethany Nelson in fifth.

Elsewhere at the weekend the Lothian club's Marie Storrie completed her first Ultra event, the 43 mile Tynedrum to Fort William race, completing the course in a eight hours 28 minutes for 47th place.