Scotland all set for Manchester International

Tuesday 13th August 2019

Stacey Downie and Jax Thoirs were named as the Scotland captains for the Manchester International

2018 Manchester International

Scotland are in action this midweek in track and field as we compete in the Manchester International in the now annual match.

It’s three years since the pilot event saw Scotland send a team south for the first time and that was repeated again in the summers of 2017 and 2018

Scotland will this year compete against England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ulster, GB and NI Juniors and a British League team at the Manchester International.

And you can watch all the action from Manchester on a live stream produced by Vinco Sport – who are then headed for Grangemouth and the FPSG Seniors and U17s.

On Tuesday evening, Stacey Downie and Jax Thoirs were named as team captains for the match at the Manchester Regional Arena.

Pole vaulter Jax is firmly on the way back to his best form while Stacey earns her 15th Scotland vest at the age of 32.

‘I was first picked in 2007 and since then I’ve competed in five events – the two relays and the 100m, 200m and 400m,’ said Edinburgh AC athlete Stacey.

‘I’m a 400m runner now, coached by Eddie McKenna, and it has been exciting having the chance to work with someone like Zoey Clark.

‘I think in terms of the Scotland team for Manchester there are people at all ages and stages and really that isn’t an issue. We’re athletes seeking to give our best and what a couple of weeks there are coming up now with this Manchester match, the Scottish Seniors and then the British Champs in Birmingham

Selections were confirmed last week for on Wednesday at the Manchester Regional Arena and we wish these athletes and their coaches all the very best.

Scotland Men

100m Adam Thomas; 110m Hurdles Andrew Murphy; 400m Grant Plenderleith; 800m Patrick Taylor; Mile Kane Elliott; 3000m Jamie Crowe; 400m H Jack Lawrie; 3000m Steeplechase Mike Deason

High Jump Lewis McGuire; Long Jump Alessandro Schenini; Triple Jump Henry Clarkson; Pole Vault Jax Thoirs; Discus Nick Percy; Hammer Ciaran Wright; Shot Putt Craig Charlton

4 x 100m Relay: Thomas, Fraser Angus, Stephen Mackenzie, Andrew Murphy

4 x 400m Relay: Plenderleith, Lawrie, Kyle Alexander, Billy Doyle

Scotland Women

100m Katy Wyper; 200m Stacey Downie; 400m Stacey Downie; 800m Philippa Millage; Mile Kerry MacAngus; 3000m Eloise Walker; 100m H Heather Paton; 400m H Anna Nelson

Long Jump Holly McArthur; Triple Jump Zara Asante; Pole Vault Courtney MacGuire; Hammer Rachel Hunter; Shot Putt Mhairi Porterfield

4 x 100m Relay: Wyper, Downie, Paton, Sarah Malone

There are also four Para athletes selected to compete in the integrated events in the Manchester programme.

Ambulant 1500m Owen Miller; Ambulant 100m Amy Carr; Ambulant 100m Alexander Thomson; Long Jump Stef Reid

Miraji Ahmed is set for another appearance for GB and NI Juniors in Manchester (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Manchester International – more info on England Athletics website

The scottishathletics Track and Field Commission saw the event as a second international opportunity in the year for our athletes to follow on from the traditional early-season Loughborough International in May.

Fraser Angus and Stephen Mackenzie have been selected by British Athletics for individual events – with Fraser in the 200m and Stephen in the Long Jump.

Erin Wallace for the mile and Miraji Ahmed in the triple jump are also selected for the GB and NI Juniors team.