‘It is really important there’s strong bond between our elite and grassroots’

Sunday 8th October 2023

Garscube Harriers were thrilled to receive excess kit from Laura Muir

Our Round-up Lindsays District XC Relays

Laura Muir believes the bond between Scotland’s very top athletes and the grassroots of the sport is strong.

And the multiple global medallist emphasised the point by presenting medals at the Lindsays West District XC Relays and gifting spare kit to three clubs.

With training having re-started following the 2023 season and the Olympics very much in mind for next year, Laura’s time is precious.

But, after an early morning run on Saturday, she was keen to come along to Alexandra Park in Glasgow to support the Lindsays Cross Country Season – and there was a surprise in store for Shettleston Harriers, East Kilbride AC and Garscube Harriers.

‘I am in a very fortunate position where I have a lot of kit come to me,’ said Laura, who brought six large bags in total to be shared by those three clubs.

‘Often that is from Nike or from British Athletes or even Team Scotland for the Commonwealths in Birmingham. And a lot of it is very high quality kit.

‘I just did not want it sitting there and not being used. I wanted the kids from some clubs to have a wee shot at digging into the bags and picking something out. There’s clothing, spikes, running shoes all in there. I’m sure the three clubs I picked will put it to good use.

‘I know when I was young and coming through I didn’t always have access to high quality kit. I will let the clubs decide on distributing it and I just picked them after looking at the entry lists and numbers for the age groups races at the West.’

There really could not be a better example of what we can #SALtogether on social media or ‘Building a Culture of Success’ in our Strategy – where the emphasis is on key roles played at all levels.

When Laura gifted the kit to Shettleston, she met Elaine Mackay – the Glasgow club’s first ever female president and a great example of the volunteers who deliver our sport. Very similarly, Gordon Colvin at East Kilbride (president and coach) and Alex Chalmers at Garscube (coach).

‘I do sense a very strong connection with the wider sport (among the Scottish elite),’ added Laura.

‘That’s why I wanted to come along to a Lindsays Cross Country Season event. I think it really important to make that connection between elite level and grassroots.

‘I came along to present medals, hand over some kit and just try and show that the link is there in our community.’

Training commitments abroad mean the Olympic medallist won’t return to Lanark next month, where she won the Lindsays Short Course title two years ago.

‘I’m always happy to support events in Scotland. I am away this year or I would certainly have raced at Lanark.

‘I came through this route as a youngster. In my early teens I was in the East District or the Scottish Schools events.

‘I think sometimes in Scotland the weather makes us hardy. The kids at the West did really well and there were still smiles on faces afterwards – even caked in mud. The team element I think helps as everyone contributes and it is good to see.’