Fast times in Monaco; World Student Games; Inverness Campus 5k

Sunday 14th July 2019

Photo from Steve Adam in Monaco

The famous Diamond League meeting in Monaco bore witness to superb 800m running from two Scots in the south of France on Friday night.

Laura Muir was third in the race with a new Personal Best of 1.58.42 and just edged out fourth-placed Lynsey Sharp, who clocked 1.58.76 for a Season’s Best.

It’s really quite remarkable to have two Scots running that fast in the same race and while the Women’s 800m wasn’t actually in the Diamond League programme, it was still a strong race as American Ajee Wilson won it in 1.57.73.

Laura feels a 1.57 run is there for her after not quite getting her positioning right on the opening 200m while, for Lynsey, this was a best run over 800m for a couple of years. Lynsey does love Monaco, though – she now has two 1.58 runs as well as a 1.57.75 to her name at this particular Diamond League venue.

Jake Wightman finished eighth in the Men’s 800m race with his Season’s Best 1.45.08 run taking him to the top of the British rankings for 2019 – above Josh Kerr.

What is clear is abundantly that, even at this stage in what will be an extended season, there are Scots starting to hit a purple patch on the track via performances from the likes of Laura, Lynsey, Eilish McColgan, Steph Twell, Andy Butchart, Jake and Josh, among others.

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Two Scots were in action for British Universities at the World Student Games in Naples in Italy.

Nick Percy made it through to the discus final from qualifying and was in action on Saturday evening. Nick finished in seventh place with a throw of 60.91m.

Earlier in the week, Adam Thomas was in action in the 100m. Adam came through his heat with a run of 10.47 but then clocked 10.62 in the semi-final to fail to progress to the final.

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Jenny Bannerman and Kenny Wilson celebrate their 5k wins in Inverness

Results on Inverness Campus 5k Facebook page

Scotland international team-mates Kenny Wilson of Moray Road Runners and Jenny Bannerman of Inverness Harriers landed the top prizes at Friday night’s Campus 5K road race in Inverness.

Wilson was a clear men’s winner in a new course record of 14:43 after shaking off fast starting Hamish Hickey (Central AC -15:21) with another junior, Sunny McGrath of Aberdeen, third in 15:41.

The opportunity of a three way head-to-head in the women’s contest was lost when Aberdeen Metro’s Fiona Brian fell at the start and unfortunately had to withdraw.

Bannerman took the honours in 16:48 from Fife junior Anna Hedley (17:04) with Constance Nankivell (East Sutherland and Edinburgh University) third in 17:52.

With thanks to Ross Cairns and Charles Bannerman

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Tags: Adam Thomas, Inverness, Italy, Jenny Bannerman, Kenny Wilson, Laura Muir, Lynsey Sharp, Monaco, Nick Percy