And the winner is . . . Jake and Melanie land our 4J Athlete of the Year titles for 2025

Saturday 29th November 2025

Jake Wightman has crowned his comeback year by being named 4J Athlete of the Year.

Melanie Woods joined him on the ‘podium’ with the World Para Champs double medallist our 4J Para Athlete of the Year for 2025.

The duo were honoured at our 4J Annual Awards in Glasgow on Saturday night as the community celebrated and recognized athletes, coaches, clubs, volunteers and Officials.

Jake, currently training in the United States, highlighted the support of our volunteers in his acceptance speech.

Rodger Harkins, named Para Performance Coach of the Year, received the Athlete trophy on behalf of Melanie.

Ross Cairns is our Performance Coach of the Year winner for 2025 after great work with Megan Keith.

All the Athlete winners are noted further down this story (with recognition in other categories due in a separate story on our website on Sunday)

Guest of Honour Christine Ohuruogu set the tone for the whole evening with the World and Olympic champion keen to underline the widespread contribution to the #SALtogether ethos which powers our sport.

‘It means a lot to win the Scottish 4J Athlete of the Year title after the years I have had trying to get back to the top and back to my own best,’ said Jake.

‘Thank you to everyone in athletics in Scotland who has helped me on my journey. The volunteers are so crucial to the sport; from Edinburgh AC and all who help the governing body.

‘Next summer, we all hope to return some favours and deliver medals for Team Scotland at Scotstoun.’

Neil Gourley, among four short-listed for Athlete of the Year, won the Dallas Trust Trophy for his fine year and strong bond with his club, Giffnock North AC.

Other athlete winners were:

Masters Athlete of the Year – Robert McHarg

U20 Athlete of the Year – Oliver Patton

U17 Athlete of the Year – Holly Whittaker.

Martin Hyman Junior Hill Running Award – Isla Paterson (Gala Harriers)

Many congratulations to all our winners and to their families, coaches and clubs.

Mark Pollard, our Head of Performance, added his congratulations to the winners and noted – once again – the global impact of Scottish athletes via the performances of those on the short-lists.

‘I am sure both Jake and Melanie will be delighted with this accolade because of the depth of quality on the short-lists,’ said Mark.

‘Jake is our 4J Athlete of the Year but I want to underline and emphasise the levels those four athletes achieved.

‘Across a range of disciplines, there was global success for Scots in the achievements of Neil, Scout and Naomi as well as Jake.

‘Jake of course didn’t have the chance in 2023 to defend the title he won in 2022. His comeback was so impressive and in Tokyo he was so close to a second gold medal in the Men’s 1500m. He put together three brilliant races in that week in Japan.

‘Melanie had Finlay, a newcomer to global Para athletics, for company on the GB and NI team at the World Para Champs. Ben had been in exceptional form heading into the event but sadly a hamstring issue denied him a great opportunity.

‘Finlay did so well to win a medal there and Melanie came away with two bronzes from three finals in a rewarding week. It feels as if all her experience of championships in recent years bore fruit in India.

‘So many congratulations to our winners and their coaches but well done to others who continue to keep Scottish athletics punching above our weight on the global stage.’