Campbeltown Junior Running Club Under 12 Indoor Super Teams

Post date: Feb 15, 2017 4:12:38 PM

By Catherine McLean

Sunday 5^th February, 2017 saw 8 members of Campbeltown Junior Running Club take the trip to Glasgow to compete in the Scottish Athletics Under 12 Indoor Super teams athletics event in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome (Emirates Arena).

The Coaches from Campbeltown Junior Running Club had two teams entered, our girls team comprising of Anna Gemmill, Claudia Graham, Violet Campbell and Kirstie Renton and the boys team comprising of Ruairdh Campbell, William McLean, Oliver Reid and Max Graham.

The event saw 450 children from throughout the whole of Scotland there to compete in the Long Jump, Shot Putt, 60m sprint and the 4 x 200m relay. The kids were up against some of the well known clubs from around Scotland, Shettleston Harriers, Law & District AAC and Corstorphine AAC to name a few. Our teams were sectioned in to Pools being number 13 for the boys and number 14 for the girls housing a total of 28 children in each pool.

The kids had a chance to watch the events as they were not on until 11am giving them an idea of what was expected. At 10:30am Catherine McLean took them down to the warm up area to go through their drills and get them ready for their first event. Both the boys and girls were competing in the Long Jump to start, getting one warm up and then their three measured distances. Considering the lack of proper facilities they have to train with they came back with fantastic results. After having a short reprieve, it was on to the Shot Putt again with one practice throw and their three measured throws. Doing well in this event as well.

The boys next event was the 60m sprint after lunch. Their first time running on a proper indoor running track saw them with personal bests for their runs earning great places for their heats and Ruairdh placing 9^th overall for their Pool. The girls were up next in their 4 x 200m relay. Claudia headed the start, followed by Kirstie, then Violet and Anna taking it home. With shouts from their parents, the boys and their coaches the girls finished their heat in 2^nd place knocking a huge 11 secs of their personal best for this event. Placing 7^th overall.

An hour later the girls were up next for their 60m sprint. Fantastic results again from them all gaining personal bests and great places for their heats, with Anna placing 9^th overall for their Pool. Finally the girls could have a rest and watch the boys take to the track for their 4 x 200m relay. William started them off, followed by Oliver, then Max and Ruairdh taking it home. Again with the shouts from everyone the boys finished their heat in 3^rd place and knocking a huge 11 secs off their personal best as well. Placing 8^th overall.

That was us done an amazing day was had by all. The total points achieved by the boys was 143 coming 31^st out of 51 boys teams and the girls achieved 149 points coming 14^th out of 55 girl teams!!

All the coaches couldn’t have been prouder of what the children had achieved at their first big event and it showed just how much their hard work and determination at their training had paid off.