Double gold joy in Birmingham: Jemma and Alessandro win titles at UK Indoor Champs

Sunday 15th February 2026

Photo by British Athletics via Getty Images

Alessandro Schenini made it a Birmingham gold double with success at the UK Indoor Champs.

And Jemma Reekie added a second gold in terms of the Scots with her victory in the Women’s 1500m final on Sunday afternoon.

Henry McLuckie, with silver in the Men’s 3000m, and a bronze for Eloise Walker in the women’s event in that distance were additional Scottish medals in Birmingham.

Perth sprinter Lois Garland finished fourth in the Women’s 200m final after posting a PB in the semi-final at 23.66. Alyson Bell had qualified for that final, too, but did not race.

Giffnock North AC athlete Alessandro won the British Men’s Long Jump title outdoors at the Alexander Stadium last summer.

And on Sunday lunchtime he added the indoor title with a first round leap of 7.53m setting down a marker and ultimately proving enough for victory,

‘I would have liked to have jumped further but I just wanted to come in and win,’ said Alessandro.

‘I kept thinking ‘When is someone going to jump further?’ because the first jump wasn’t very far. But I was in the lead, and it felt easy enough.

‘I won the outdoor championships with my first round jump but I didn’t jump much again because I had cramps, so I wanted to get a good last jump because the crowd were great, but sadly the jump wasn’t that great.’

British Athletics day two round-up

Photos: British Athletics via Getty Images

Jemma, the World indoor silver medallist over 800m two years ago, has moved up to 1500m for the indoor season and the switch paid off.

The Scot looked in control throughout a slow race and went on to win in 4:26.26 from Revee Walcott-Nolan. There was a sixth place finish for Erin Wallace.

‘It is probably the most nervous for a while,’ said Jemma.

‘I really wanted the win. That is what I have been waiting for, that little boost to push me forward. Training has been going well, but it is always good to come out to a Championships and win.

‘I knew it was going to be tough out there against those girls, so I am pleased to come away with the win.

‘I am hoping to compete at the world indoors, and then both the Commonwealth Games and the Europeans this summer, both at home, so I am really excited for the year ahead.’

Eloise Walker took bronze in the women’s 3000m final.

There was a CBP from Hannah Nuttall to win and Eloise was home in third in a time of 8:48.45. There was fifth place there for Stefanie Tucker with the Cambuslang Harrier having raced in Armagh for Scotland last Thursday night.

‘I came here three years ago and won the bronze medal, and it’s been a long road to get back here,’ said Eloise.

‘I am really grateful for my coach, team and my training partner, Hannah Nuttall, who won. We had a few tricky tactics coming into the race.

‘I know I was going to have to front run, and I am really proud of myself for staying gritty and fighting till the end. This race was about putting myself in the best position at 400m for a medal.

Henry McLuckie took silver medal in the Men’s 3000m final – and was so close to gold.

Thomas Keen, who took the Scottish title at the Emirates in early January won by only two hundredths of a second in 7:51.68.

Garscube Harriers athlete Finlay Ross-Davie, in a race which also featured Oliver Macdonald of Giffnock, bravely led at one staged and finished sixth.

‘I didn’t come with a specific plan for the race; I wanted to race off of instinct,’ said Henry.

‘I wanted to do a gradual sort of wind up, more so to be at the front and be comfortable.

‘When Tom went around me, I kind of expected it at some point. I thought coming off the final bend I would just get him at the finish line, but I ran out of real estate really.’