Officials are going the extra mile to help sprinters go 60 metres

Sunday 28th January 2024

Sprint action as Dean Patterson clocks 6.93 at Pitreavie with fine runs, too, by Gkontouin Imante and Rory Voss (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Results online

Athletes from as far afield as Gateshead and Inverness – and various points in between – travelled to Fife to compete in our latest 4J Qualifying Heats event at Pitreavie.

But, arguably more significantly, it is our team of dedicated scottishathletics Officials who are going the extra mile to deliver the Indoor Season.

The Pitreavie event, like Ayr the week before, was over three days and our Officials are on duty again at Aberdeen next weekend prior to the 4J National Finals Weekend at Grangemeouth (February 16-18).

Athletes and coaches appreciated the effort, without question, and we’d the marvellous #SALtogether moment in the sandpit as John Scott, one of our leading jumps coaches, picked up a rake opposite Official Moira Nisbet.

‘It is a big effort by everyone involved with the Emirates Arena closed and events moving around the country,’ said Mark Stringer, Technical Official.

‘Over a five-week period with four weekends of events it is a big ask of the Officials (and other volunteers). It’s Friday, Saturday and Sunday and that’s a tall order for volunteers who have their own working week, as well.

‘So I think we do need to forward a big thank you and that applies to coaches as well in our sport. We see some new people coming in (as Officials) and that is encouraging.

‘I’ve been involved a few years now – starting out around the time of London 2012. And one of the joys is seeing athletes develop.

‘There’s been a good atmosphere, a camaraderie, at Ayr and then again at Pitreavie. Everyone is becoming aware of what we’re trying to do staging the events but that the venues are small and things may be a bit cramped. I think we are seeing athletes, spectators, coaches and Officials working together.’

Make the leap . . . athletes from Inverness, Edinburgh AC, Team East Lothian and Central AC in jumps action (photo by Bobby Gavin)

There was action in throws, jumps, sprints and hurdles over the course of the weekend and performances can be traced via our Live Results page (see link at top).

On Saturday, the Men’s 6m top heat produced a couple of fine races and excellent performances – especially at U20 level.

The second race saw Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Dean Patterson, more comfortable at 200m, win in a PB run of 6.93 from Shettleston’s Gkontouin Imante (6.93). Rory Voss was third in that race at 7.06 after 7.00 in the first race (won by Dean on the photo finish).

‘Dean is really chuffed with that and it’s a good start to the season,’ said Coach David Watson.

‘We’ve been working on his starts and the early part of the race through this winter. Obviously if Dean can make improvements there and get quicker there then it will help his 200m time. He is thinking about his 100m time, too.

‘It was two good top races in the 60m with strong U20 performances in there. Well done to the athletes and coaches involved.’