Robbie to race Inverness; Robin Morris; Hammer Development; Volunteer chance

Thursday 8th February 2018

Scotland international Robbie Simpson will race the Inverness Half Marathon next month as a vital part of his preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

The race through the Highland capital, now in its 34^th year, has already attracted a record number of entries for Sunday 11 March with the capacity figure of 2,800 expected to be reached before the February 20 closing date.

Simpson, who will represent Scotland in the marathon along with Kilbarchan AAC Olympian Callum Hawkins at Gold Coast in April, has returned from a six-week spell of warm weather training in southern Spain and is eagerly looking forward to competing in Inverness.

‘I’d really like to fit in a few races at home before I go out to Australia so I know how things are going and to help me get into peak shape,’ said Robbie.

‘The Inverness half marathon is only a few days before I fly to Gold Coast so it might work with my plans to try and run a fast race there then have some easier days around the time of travel. I really like the course at Inverness and I have good memories from when I won in 2014.’

The half marathon, for the second time in three years, hosts the Scottish North District championships. This means that for North-based members of scottishathletics there is now the added bonus of being able to compete for championship medals.

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Many in the athletics family in Scotland – and the hill running community in particular – are this week mourning the sad loss of Robin Morris.

The former athlete, coach, volunteer, journalist and administrator passed away last weekend at the age of 68 after recent illness. He is survived by wife Rosalind and two daughters.

Robin was a well-known figure around the scene for many years, having started out as an athlete himself in Edinburgh and became a great exponent in various disciplines including steeplechase, cross country and hill running.

In the early-1980s, he was one of the four founding members of the Scottish Hill Running Association and Carnethy Hill Running Club. He won the first Scottish hill racing title in 1983 and hill running remained a passion.

We’ve been given his funeral details by Robin’s family and asked to share those with this many friends within the sport:

Celebration of the Life of Robin Morris

Christ Church, Morningside, Edinburgh

Friday 16 February at 12.30pm

Followed by a wake in the church hall and a committal service at Mortonhall Crematorium at 4pm (large chapel).

Condolences to Robin’s family and friends from all at scottishathletics. Interview with Robin Morris from 1999 on the Carnethy HR website

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Chris Bennett – coached by Mick Jones

The latest Hammer Development Group session was taken by Mick Jones, coach of Chris Bennett.

Mick’s theme for the day on this occasion as ‘Get the basics right’ and once again there was great feedback from coaches and athletes.

‘Great session on Sunday, with tuition from guest coach Mick Jones. Mick’s no frills direct approach of coaching brought home some simple facts of hammer throwing technique, backed up by his vast experience, and we came away with an understanding of what we need to work on, both as athlete and coach.’

‘Martin Thomson’s conditioning session was as successful as always, great guidance. Looks like all the athletes attending the sessions are starting to benefit from his instruction. Looking forward to the next session, and also the new outdoor season.’

The final winter session for the Hammer Development Group is on Sunday 11 March back at Grangemouth.

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Andy Butchart in action at the Glasgow GP in 2016 – now you can volunteer for this year’s event on February 25

WATCH Spar Volunteer video

SPAR, one of British Athletics biggest partners, are looking to recruit a number of volunteers to support their sponsorship of the major events in the UK Track and Field season.

This year’s indoor athletics season see’s Birmingham host the British Athletics Indoor Trials and the IAAF World Indoor Championships with Glasgow hosting the international Indoor Grand Prix.

At each of these events, SPAR, in partnership with the Female Coaching Network, are delivering a children’s mini-athletics park within the concourse of the stadiums, encouraging all who take part to experience the excitement and competition that their favourite athletes within the stadium will be.

As part of the experience, each volunteer will be given access to watch the action within the main stadium and shifts will be worked out between each volunteer team.

Pro?le of Volunteers: Young, energetic, athletics oriented with a passion for coaching and working with children. We are looking to recruit a mixture of male and female volunteers who have experience within athletics or coaching sport in general.

Volunteer Roles: Each volunteer will be a part of the SPAR Nutrizone Children’s Athletics Park at the events listed below. Your role will be to encourage and support participants on each of the mini-events within the park.

Events Needed:

British Athletics Indoor Trials – February 17/18 at Birmingham Arena

Muller Indoor Grand Prix – 25 February at Emirates Arena, Glasgow

IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships – March 1-4 at Birmingham Arena

If interested, please email: info@femalecoachingnetwork.com or call 07939 817 517 and leave a message expressing your inter

Tags: Hammer Development Group, Inverness Half Marathon, Mick Jones, Muller Indoor GP, Robbie Simpson, Robin Morris