Scots star at Watford BMC; Eilish 5000m; Walker V65 Best

Sunday 13th June 2021

Erin Wallace wins at the Watford BMC (photo by Mark Shearman)

Erin Wallace took the British Milers Club meeting at Watford by storm on Saturday evening – as she posted a big new PB at 1500m.

It was a good night for the Scots at the meeting as Andy Butchart landed a BMC Record with a strong run over 3000m and Jenny Selman made another impression on her 800m PB.

But Wallace’s performance was a big highlight as she won the A race in the meeting from Holly Archer with a last lap surge to cross the line in 4:08.12.

That’s well inside the GB qualifying standard for the Euro U23s coming up next month and her previous PB had been 4:12.57. At the age of 21, Erin is now placed 11^th on the Scottish all-time list.

Butchart for his part ran a solo, timed 3000m ‘race’ within the 5000m A race. He clocked 7:43.57 for that BMC Record for that distance.

Selman was third in the Women’s A 800m race with 2:02.10 and is now knocking on the door of the top 15 in the all-time list.

Joe Ewing clocked a new PB in the 800m with 1:48.79 and that takes him into the top ten all-time at Men’s U20. Kilbarchan athlete Lewis Hannigan had a fine win over 500m with a new PB of 14:34.10.

And a couple more well worthy of note – PBs for Ben Potrykus at 3:43.20 for third in his 1500m race and14:05.21 for Freddie Carcas over 5000m.

Andy Butchart on his way to a new BMC Record for 3000m (photo by Mark Shearman)

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Photo by James Rhodes

Masters Best Performances 2020

Philippa Millage moved up from 800m to 1500m at Watford – and duly delivered a new Scottish Masters Record for the W40 category.

The previous W40 best had been held since 1995 by Carol Sharp after a run of 4:40.9 set in Birmingham.

But VP-Glasgow athlete Philippa eclipsed that time in fine style with a run of 4:24.98 that took her to a third place finish in the Women’s B race at that BMC meet.

Well done to Philippa, her family and coach Bill Parker!

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3 Olympic Qualifying times over 3 distances in 7 days. Not sure my legs are talking to me anymore! ? But I'd call that a good working week! ? https://t.co/kWWYoNmsJi

— Eilish McColgan (@EilishMccolgan) June 12, 2021

Away from Watford, Eilish McColgan was in action in France as she finished second in the 5000m in Nice in 14:55.79.

That’s inside the Olympic qualifying standard for GB and that means Eilish posted standards in three distances in three races in three different countries over a hectic eight days – with the others her European Cup win at 10,000m of course plus a 4:02 run at 1500m.

Nicole Yeargin finished fourth in the NCAA finals in Oregon with another strong 400m run.

The California-based Scot clocked 51.06 to claim another Olympic standard.

Zoey Clark had a 400m run at the combined league match at Grangemouth on Sunday and despite windy conditions came up with 51.78 for a Season’s Best performance.

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63.03m today for another competition so close to a PB but this consistency is keeping me sane

63.03, 60.78, 56.62, 62.33, 59.33, 62.53

Head down now for the @BritAthletics Champs in 2 weeks to defend my title. It won’t be easy but I’m ready for the challenge

?? @DiscusDan pic.twitter.com/RshxPXaWnn

— Nick Percy (@DiscusNick) June 13, 2021

In the throws, Nick Percy maintained his fine season over the weekend by claiming a South of England area Record with 62.60m on Saturday in Bedford.

And British champion Nick duly followed that up with 63.03 in Hull on Sunday.

Chris Bennett came up with a 75.60 hammer throw at a specially organised event at Kilmarnock. Thanks to Officials for assistance.

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Alastair Walker pictured with Geoff Wightman at our Annual Awards in 2019 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Scottish Masters athlete Alastair Walker is a World Record holder!

The Teviotdale Harriers legend took down the global best mark for 5k for the V65 age category in Carlisle last midweek.

Walker clocked 17.09 to emphatically break the mark of 17.23 held by heralded Canadian Ed Whitlock for 23 years from 1998.

Alastair is of course no stranger to record-breaking and has been in fine form once again emerging from lockdown training. Subject to ratification, he recently broke the V65 British Record for 10k on the road with a run of 35.59 to eclipse the 36.01 mark held by fellow Scot, Willie Marshall.

Alastair was our Masters Athlete of the Year in the 2019 Annual Awards and has been featured across the pages of PB magazine.

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Tags: Alastair Walker, Andy Butchart, Chris Bennett, Eilish McColgan, Erin Wallace, Jenny Selman, Nick Percy