Adam delivers strong half debut; Callum on strength and conditioning

Saturday 12th September 2020

Adam Craig takes gold at Falkirk in February 2019 at the Lindsays National Xc (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Adam Craig came up with a very solid half marathon debut as he clocked 63:24 at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon on Saturday morning.

The Inverclyde AC athlete finished in eighth place as Sir Mo Farah headed Marc Scott to win in 60.27.

Craig, who won the Lindsays National XC in 2019, is not far adrift of the top ten in the Scottish all-time rankings with that performance after many months of lockdown.

Inverness Harrier Sean Chalmers was the second best Scot in the Men’s race in 13^th place in 65:16 and he was closely followed in by James Donald with the Dundee Hawkhill Harrier at 65:27.

Kenny Wilson of Moray Road Runners recorded 67:04 and finished one place below Central AC Irish athlete, Conan McCaughey, who was home in 66:38.

Fiona Brian of Metro Aberdeen delivered the best Scottish performance in the Women’s race won by Lily Partridge.

Fiona was placed sixth with a time of 75:33 and her club-mate, Ginie Barrand was 10th with 77:42. Avril Mason of Shettleston was 12^th with 78:12 and Claire Bruce of Metro Aberdeen was at 82:19.

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Photo by Bobby Gavin

sportscotland interview with Callum

World class athlete Callum Hawkins broke the Scottish record at the London Marathon in April 2019.

He then finished fourth at the IAAF World Championships in Doha to earn pre-selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, now due to take place in 2021.

And Callum has been speaking to sportscotland about the importance of strength and conditioning work as he targets even more consistency in his performances.

He credits the support received from the sportscotland institute of sport (SIS), working in collaboration with physical preparation coach Barry Jones as well as the performance physiology and physiotherapy teams, to help him deliver fast times.

Callum, a lifetime member of Kilbarchan AAC, said: ‘Before, I probably dipped in and out of strength and conditioning, but Barry made me fully buy into it and it seems to have worked. I now train twice a week where possible while also getting a lot of massage and physiotherapy.

‘Going to Doha with the heat … it was good to work with SIS physiologist Cian McGinley and Andy Shaw from British Athletics to work out plans and see what I could do in the heat – and how I could handle it.’

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Tags: Adam Craig, Antrim, Callum Hawkins, Fiona Brian