Jonny, Annabel win Tru Wealth Scottish 5k titles amid fast times at Silverknowes

Saturday 7th May 2022

Jonny Glen is joined at the 5k podium by silver medallist Christian Graham of Lasswade AC (on left) and Alastair Hay of Central AC (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Results

(Times in this report from initial results – please check link for chip time)

Jonny Glen led home the ‘cavalry charge’ as the Tru Wealth Scottish 5k Champs returned to Silverknowes – then insisted a rash of fast times bodes well for athletics in Scotland.

The Edinburgh venue on the Forth coastline played host to this event for the tenth occasion as runners lined up for the first time since May 2019.

Inverclyde AC athlete Glen won in an impressive 14:26 with the top three separated by only two seconds ahead of a large cohort who went sub 15 minutes despite windy conditions.

Annabel Simpson followed up recent track success in Belfast with another Tru Wealth Scottish title, adding the 5k to the 10-Mile gold won at Strathclyde Park at the start of last month.

Lasswade’s Christian Graham took a fine silver medal in the Men’s race in 14:28 with former double National XC champion, Alastair Hay, on the podium in 14:28. As it happened, no fewer than 19 men went sub 15 minutes.

Hay duly led Central AC home to victory in the Senior Men’s team race with the silvers claimed by Inverclyde with Fife AC in third. Hamish Hickey (fifth) and Cameron Harris (17th) were the other counters for Central AC.

Photos on Facebook by Bobby Gavin

The Men’s and Women’s race were split into two starts at Silverknowes (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘It’s always a great race here and I’m pretty happy with that in windy conditions,’ said Jonny.

‘I’ve been out in America for altitude training and wondered if I would feel that in the legs a wee bit. I did, but you do tend to get caught up in it a wee bit here at Silverknowes.

‘At the 3k stage there was still a pretty big pack of guys but I pushed forward a bit after the turn at 4k and thankfully was able to get the win.

‘You look at the times and there are a lot of guys who have run fast here. I think it’s exciting and it is good for Scottish athletics. It was good to get the 5k Champs back on and I think a lot of people really enjoy this race – you see that with the PBs.’

Falkirk Vics athlete Niall Caley won the U20 gold in 14:45 with silver for Peter Bradshaw of Inverclyde and bronze for Finlay Ross-Davie of Garscube Harriers.

Fiife AC claimed the U20 team medals thanks to the performances of Ben Sandilands, Andrew Thomson and Michael Sanderson. Falkirk took second and Glasgow Uni were third.

There were Masters golds in ten-year age bands as follows:

M40 Grant Baillie (East Kilbride AC) 15:06; M50 Paul Monaghan (Greenock Glenpark) 17:06; M60 John Thomson (Fife AC) 18:15; M70 Tony Martin (Fife AC) 19:41.

Women’s 5k podium as Annabel Simpson is joined by silver medallist Sarah Calvert of Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds (left) and Naomi Lang of Aberdeen AAC (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Simpson looked clear favourite for the Women’s race given recent fine form and so it proved as she came home in 16:29 and win by 15 seconds. Annabel’s chip time is 16:27.

Sarah Calvert took silver in the colours of Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds with 16:44 and Aberdeen athlete Naomi Lang was third a further six seconds back.

The Men’s and Women’s races were split for the first time (with health and safety concerns on the start line an issue) and while Annabel expressed her own opposition to that move, she was nonetheless pleased with a sub 16:30 run.

‘I did prefer it here when in with the guys and you have athletes ahead to try and work off if you can,’ she said.

‘I think it was a wee different for us tonight and a little cagey initially but I was able to get a slight lead by 3k and could push on from there.’

Calvert’s silver helped Edinburgh Uni to the team golds with the other counters being Katie Lowery (eighth) and Rhiannon Kirk (17). Lasswade AC took the silvers and Corstorphine AAC the bronzes.

Inverclyde took another individual gold medal in the U20 Women’s race as Meredith Reid won it in 17:41. Edinburgh Uni’s Kirsty Purcell was second and Caitlin Purcell third. There were team golds for the students.

There were Masters golds in ten-year age bands as follows:

V40 Lesley Bell (Garscube) 17:41; V50 Janet Dunbar (Edinburgh Ac) 19:50; V60 Anne Howie (Aberdeen AAC) 20:00; V70 Patricia Allen (Motherwell AC) 31:17.

Away from the championships, there were U17 Sri Chinmoy event prizes for Louisa Brown of Garscube Harriers 17:28 and Fraser Gilmour of VP-Glasgow 14:53.

Annabel Simpson receives gold from Ian Beattie, Chair of British Athletics, at Silverknowes (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Tags: Annabel Simpson, Jonny Glen, Silverknowes, Tru Wealth Scottish 5k Champs

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