Cambuslang claim 3x800m National Record amid relay excitement

Monday 26th June 2023

Jamie MacKinnon brings home the baton as Cambuslang Harriers break the National 3x800m Senior Men’s Record at Scotstoun (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Live Results

Zippos circus is visiting Victoria Park only an 800m anchor leg run from Scotstoun . . . but the real thrills and spills happened at the nearby stadium on Sunday.

The National Track Relays are among the most exciting of our track and field events and the Glasgow venue provided the perfect ‘big top’ backdrop – despite long spells of rain.

Teams of all ages and stages beat a path to the podium in the sprints but it was our Senior Men’s 3 x 800m timed finals which delivered a deserved National Record.

The Cambuslang Harriers trio of Chris McLew, Gavin Smith and Jamie MacKinnon took down a mark set by Giffnock North AC – including Neil Gourley – from 2012. Cambuslang clocked 5:44.48 with the previous Record having been 5:47.21.

‘We knew that we each had to run roughly 1:55 to get in the mix,’ said Gavin.

‘We all have 800m Personal Bests better than that but of course it is not as simple as that. You have to all contribute and you have to do it on the day.

‘Chris got us off to a really good start and happily I was able to hand the baton on to Jamie with something for him to really chase. We’ve talked about this National Record among ourselves for some time and had targeted it. We are delighted.’

Congratulations to these athletes and their families, coach Mike Johnston and all at Cambuslang.

Falkirk Victoria Harriers took the silvers at 5:48.19 with Edinburgh AC in third at 5:50.19.

There were gold medals in the Senior Women’s race for the Corstorphine AAC trio of Kirstian MacAulay, Olivia Clarke and Alice Mourao at 6:56.14. In this race, Edinburgh AC took the silvers and Kilmarnock Harriers were third.

VP-Glasgow claimed a Championships Best in the Men’s 4x100m to win gold in 41.56.

That was after strong runs by Ethan Pottie, Jamie Stevenson, Stewart Greenhalgh and Sol Stewart. Taking the silver medals were Kilmarnock Harriers with Giffnock North AC in third place.

VP Glasgow clinched the Senior Women’s title in the 4x100m thanks to the efforts of Robyn Taylor, Lorne Kerr, Samantha McClune and Chloe Lambert.

In their home track, VP-Glasgow clocked 48.20 to win from silver medallists Pitreavie AAC and third-placed Law and District AAC.

Two of those athletes then doubled up to help VP-Glasgow to more golds as they won the Women’s 4x400m from Law and District AAC. This time the team was Lambert, Catriona Scott, Mhairi Hendry and Kerr.

In the Men’s 4x400m final, there was success for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers at 3:17.19 thanks to the runs by Callum Letham, Scott Hannaway, Ryan Fox and Declan Gall. Kilbarchan AAC took the silvers and the bronzes went to Pitreavie AAC.

There were thrills and excitement across the younger age groups via some medley races with athletes taking on different distances.

Scotstoun is a great stage for occasions like these and the noise generated in the main stand helped roar many an athlete to the finish line along the home straight.

*Huge thank you as always to those who supported our Events by competing and to our dedicated Offiials who once again delivered our sport. Much appreciated.