Aberdeen action: Alyson targets events in England and CE duo impress

Sunday 4th February 2024

Photos by Euan Duff (with thanks to Aberdeen Sports Village)

GB international Alyson Bell is setting her sights on the British Indoor Champs at the start of an exciting 2024.

The Edinburgh-based Giffnock North athlete enjoyed a big breakthrough year in 2023 which culminated in selection for the World Champs in Budapest with the British relay team.

Food poisoning in Hungary cost her a big moment but Alyson is putting those memories aside and was recently at a training camp in South Africa.

And two 60m runs at 7.48 and then 7.43 at Aberdeen Sports Village means she is off and running – with the British Indoors coming up.

‘These were my first two runs of the season and I only few back from South Africa a few days ago,’ said Alyson, coached by Anne Scott.

‘We thought it a good idea to get in some competitive racing in Scotland and I enjoyed that today. I’m happy with the runs and the second one isn’t too far away from my indoor best (7.38 seconds).

‘The British and then the British Unis events are next. I’m already looking towards my 100s outdoors and all you really wish for is to keep improving and getting faster.’

The 60m was impressive from the Men. Or U20m, to be precise. A week on from Pitreavie, a trio of U20 athletes reconvened and this time, in the second race, all three went sub seven seconds as Gkontouin Imante clocked 6.89 to win by three hundredths from Dean Patterson’s new PB at 6.92. Rory Voss clocked 6.99.

Shettleston Harriers athlete Gkontouin, coached by Gordon Bury, is only 17 years of age and has his sights set on improving his 100m time this summer.

‘I want to run around 10.7 or 10.6 this summer in the 100m if I can – I will keep working hard and looking to get faster,’ he said.

There were other good performances with Reuben Nairne clearing 5.00m on the Friday evening and then winning a 60m race in 7.06.

Throughout the three days it was great to see vests from our island clubs – with visitors from Stornoway RAC, North Uist and from Orkney.

There was some great action in the jumps and throws on the day, too, and understand among the PB performances in the High jump and two of those were visitors from the Western Isles.

Aberdeen AAC were well represented, of course, but not just in competition – with volunteers helping our our dedicated team of Officials.

We would stress, once again, our warm appreciation and thanks to our Officials. Three weekends in a row of three-day events have seen teams make the sport happen in different parts of the country – in Ayr, in Fife and in Grampian. It does not happen without the folk in red and purple.

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On Sunday morning our Combined Events athletes were in good form.

Amy Kennedy threw a shot putt PB to 14.29m one week on from winning silver in the event at the Welsh Champs. And the throw came after Amy had clocked 9.13 in the 60m hurdles.

Adam Hoole was also busy as he went straight from the long jump pit, after two 7.23m jumps, to the sprints to win the top 60m race in 6.93 seconds. The Team East Lothian athlete has had injury and illness issues last season.

‘I opened last week but this still feels like a comeback and I am pleased with that,’ said Adam. ‘I will head for the British Champs and do hurdles there.’

Amy said: ‘I’m really pleased with that throw. I’d raced the 60m hurdles only minutes earlier and that energised me I think.’