Club Relays prove the perfect end to National Championships season

Saturday 11th September 2021

Connor Henderson hands over to Krishawn Aiken as Kilbarchan AAC win the Senior Men’s 4x400m at Linwood (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Results

Wonderful sights and inspirational sounds made for a colourful and noisy backdrop for the 4J Studios National Relays at Linwood on Saturday.

The echo of the starter’s gun; the thunder of spike-wearing feet; the roars of support and encouragement; sporting applause for each and every competitor.

It was the year National Championship action returned after Covid-19 issues made it impossible for scottishathletics to host medal opportunities under fair conditions during a difficult 2020 season.

And there really was no better way to (photo) finish the National Championship season in Scotland than with our 4J Studios National Relays and a remarkable turnout of 384 teams entered. That was a new record for this event.

We send a huge thank you to all the clubs who demonstrated once again unstinting commitment to competition.

It certainly felt as if a huge percentage of our track and field community gathered together to fight for places in finals, PB splits and, of course, those precious medals.

Host club Kilbarchan AAC were among those to beat a path to the podium as they savoured a Senior Men’s double by winning both the 4x100m and 4x400m finals.

The team of Kade Thomas, Krishawn Aiken, Stephen Dunlop and Drew Yeoman finished in 42.18 to win the 4x100m showdown from VP-Glasgow and Kilmarnock Harriers.

Later a quartet of Michael Cairns, Stephen Johnston, Connor Henderson and Krishawn Aiken clocked 3:18.96 to win from Dundee Hawkhill Harriers and Livingston AC.

Giffnock North won that Women’s 4x100m final from Edinburgh AC and Pitreavie AAC in a time of 48.01. The Giffnock team featured: Eve Denholm, Alyson Bell, Caroline MacConnell and Freya Cowan.

The 3x800m finals added further excitement towards the end of the programme on a day which was all about clubs and their athletes working together as teams – with conditions pretty good for September in Scotland.

*Huge thank you to our purple and red army of qualified scottishathletics Officials on duty at Linwood.

Once again, these dedicated volunteers made the event happen – and after a hectic few weeks that included National Championship action at Grangemouth and then Aberdeen during August.

*Congratulations to Giffnock North AC trio Reuben Macdonald, Cameron Deverill and Chris Perkins on a superb collective performance at our 4J National Relays at Linwood.

The Giffnock team won the U17 3x800m Relay in 5:56.94 to surpass a mark set by Kilbarchan AAC in 2013 of 5:58.14.

Subject to ratification processes, the Giffnock team will be new National Record holders for 3x800m U17 Men.

Well done athletes and coaches and all at the club.