Muir 2nd in Eugene; Plenderleith; Dry; BMC Watford
Laura Muir produced an impressive return to racing in her first appearance since winning two medals at the World Indoors in Birmingham back in March.
Newly-qualified vet Muir will have been greatly encouraged by her first top-class 1500m since completing her final degree exams as she finished second at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting.
After having missed the Commonwealth Games to concentrate on completing her studies, the 25-year-old hardly looked like she had been away in her major outdoor season opener in Eugene as she produced a tremendous late surge to clock 3:59.30 in narrowly coming second to Shelby Houlihan’s victorious 3:59.06.
Another American, Jenny Simpson, had led the way for much of the race, but had to settle for third in 3:59.37 while Muir’s compatriot Laura Weightman ran 4:07.48 for 12th.
Really happy with my first race of the season @nikepreclassic !
3.59 over 1500m for 2nd today, fastest ever opener! After a tiring few weeks with exams, excited for the rest of the season ?— Laura Muir (@lauramuiruns) May 26, 2018
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Grant Plenderleith came up with the stand-out performance among a host of Scottish athletes competing in Belgium at the Oordegem meeting.
Plenderleith had set a new PB the week before when coming up with a Match win in the men’s 400m at the Loughborough International with a run of 46.60.
This time, he delivered another win and a faster PB of 46.34 which elevates Grant to fifth on the Scottish all-time list for the distance – in between Jamie Bowie and Kris Robertson (two of his team-mates at Glasgow 2014).
It’s another reward for the hard work put in by the Falkirk Victoria Harriers athlete, who is coached by David Lothian.
Grant’s fellow World Indoors selection for GB, Mhairi Hendry, had a Season’s Best run of 2.03.06 in the 800m. And there was a 400m Hurdles PB for Anna Nelson with 58.89.
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Hammer thrower Mark Dry was back in a GB vest again, competing in Germany at the Halle International Throws.
A week on from that win in the Looughborough International, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist was 11th with a best throw of 70.04 as he continues to nurse that troublesome hip injury.
Chris Bennett had pulled out of the event with a knee issue, with GB’s Nick Miller taking third in the hammer.
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Watford was the venue for the latest British Milers Club meet – and what a demonstration of emerging Scottish talent unfolded in north London.
In fact, there are encouraging signs that the next generation of endurance athletes are working hard in an attempt to match our current elite.
Jamie Williamson made another leap forward by winning the A race in the men’s 1500m programme with a PB of 3.41.59 and that was among a host of highlight performances which also included U20 athlete, Erin Wallace, achieving a World Juniors qualifying time with 4.14.80.
Erin was fourth in a race which saw Jemma Reekie take second with a PB of 4.10.10 as she continues her progress. Sol Sweeney, like Jamie, was a race winner with a PB of 3.45.22 and his Perth Strathtay team-mate, Ben Greenwood, continued his successful return from injury by winning the B race 800m in a SB of 1.49.05.
Naomi Lang was yet another Scottish race winner with a PB of 4.20.10 in her 1500m which also saw Eloise Walker at 4.29.19. Cara Anderson of Perth had another 800m PB with 2.09.11.
Tags: Ben Greenwood, Erin Wallace, Grant Plederleith, Jamie Williamson, Jemma Reekie, Laura Muir, Mark Dry, Mhairi Hendry, Naomi Lang, Sol Sweeney
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