‘Good Luck and enjoy your Mini Marathon experience’ – Neil Gourley

Wednesday 23rd April 2025

World Indoors silver medallist Neil Gourley has urged young Scots to relish the London Mini Marathon and learn from their experience this weekend.

No fewer than 26 athletes will represent Scotland at the well-known event on Saturday across the U17, U15 and Para races in London.

And Neil, who finished third at the Mini Marathon back in 2012 when he was an U17 athlete, has sent a special ‘Good Luck’ message to our teams.

‘The London Mini Marathon event was always a big one for me growing up in the sport,’ recalled Giffnock North AC athlete Neil.

‘I was quite far back in the field when I first raced it and then I improved. I loved being part of a Scotland team at that age and was lucky enough to finish third in as an U17 (in 2012).

‘That was a good feeling that day and one of the turning points in my young career – being competitive at the top end of a big race gave me more self-belief.

‘It was a big experience to test yourself against the best boys from England and around the UK.

Scotland at the London Mini Marathon – RR and CC Commission website archive

Neil with his Scotland U17 team-mates at the London Mini Marathon back in 2012

‘I hope all those selected athletes for 2025 have a good trip and really enjoy themselves. Soak it up and enjoy wearing the Scotland shirt. It is a day to remember. There is always a good atmosphere on the streets of London for that weekend obviously.

‘Enjoy it; represent your family, your club and the people behind you and do the best you can on the day.

‘I hope you get everything out of it that you are looking for.’

Alex Jackson, Team Manager for Scotland for this event for a number of years, traced Eilish McColgan’s London Mini Marathon bow as a youngster – with Eilish of course set to race the main event this weekend.

A similar story applies to Samantha Kinghorn who raced for Scotland in the Mini Marathon wheelchair event back in 2012 and 2013, in her first international appearances in a stellar career. Now the Paralympic 100m champion is set for an outing over 26.2 miles this weekend!

Mairi Gatherer (T20) and Niamh Currie (T54) are our Para representatives this year.

Good Luck to all racing for Scotland at the London Mini Marathon on Saturday and to their families, coaches and clubs. Thanks in advance to our team management making the trip south.