Trio smash Records at EAP International as Alessandro leaps forward

Sunday 2nd February 2025

Big leap forward . . . Alessandro Schenini soars in the long jump (photo by Bobby Gavin)

A trio of top Scots stole the show for the home crowd at our first-ever EAP Indoor International meet.

The Glasgow crowd at the Emirates Arena – 11 months on from the World Indoors at the same venue – were treated to fine performances by Olympians, Paralympians and top European, British and Irish visitors.

But four of the best performances were laced with a Saltire as Scottish National and Native Records fell in a Sunday night spectacular.

Alyson Bell was scintillating in the sprints as she won both the Women’s 60m and 200m finals in fine style. Endurance athlete Kane Elliott broke the Native mark for the men’s 1500m which even erstwhile holder, Ian Campbell, believes stood for too long at 28 years (set even before Kane was born).

Pride of place, however, should go to a stellar field event as Alessandro Schenini led home a native 1-2-3 with a brilliant performance int he men’s long jump (sponsored by MOK Security Solutions).

Alessandro leapt to 7.86m for a new National Record and Native Record (by a Scot in Scotland) as he went five centimetres beyond the existing marks held by Darren Ritchie.

It was the second best leap of his career for the Giffnock North athlete with Stephen Mackenzie (7.78) and Murray Fotheringham (7.72) playing their part in an exciting competition for our 1100 spectators inside the Emirates.

Bell was in superb form over the course of the evening – right from her first run over 60m.

In the final the Scot won the photo-finish argument for victory as she and English rival, Joy Eze, both clocked 7.33 seconds. That gave Alyson a share of both the EAP meet record and the Scottish Native Record.

Then, what felt like less than an hour later, Alyson won the Women’s 200m in 23.45 for another new EAP meet record.

‘I’ve raced here at the Emirates since I was in my early teens and I do love racing here,’ she said.

‘It has been a good night and I am delighted with both final performances and my times.’

Kane Elliott (photo by Bobby Gavin)

The Men’s 1500m promised much and did deliver a new EAP Meet record from race winner, Joe Wigfield, clocked 3:37.72.

Second place went to Archie Davis in 3:38.58 and Kane did enough in third at 3:40.75 ot take the Native Record held by Campbell for almost three decades.

‘I am pleased with the Native Record and my fastest season opener indoors, even though I had hoped to run a little quicker on the night,’ said Kane.

‘The Native Record wasn’t my primary motivation but it is still nice to have improved that a little bit (from 3:43). I have been away in South Africa and just travelled back so that might be a factor.’

The men’s 500m saw a win for English athlete Dom Nolan in 14:15.13 and Cambuslang athletes were second and third via Callum Tharme (14:19/33) and Jamie Mackinnon (14:19.91).

Irish athlete Sharlene Mawdsley was the fastest in the Women’s 400m races with a PB of 51.69 seconds. Training partner, GB international Lina Nielsen clocked a European Indoor standard at 51.86. Zoey Clark was at 53.41 there as she continues her return from injury.

Dutch athlete Isaya Klein Ikkin set a new EAP Record in the men’s 400m with 46.57 as a number of athletes went sub 47 seconds. T47 Scot, Cameron Thores, clocked 55.29.

Danish athlete, Simon Hansen, won the Men’s 60m final in 6.69 with Adam Thomas fourth in 6.77 (Adam 6.73 in the heats).

British Paralympian Zac Shaw led home a men’s Para 60m race in 7.22 with good runs there by Scottish duo Matthew Power (7.58) and Cameron Thores (7.78) in a mixed classification race. Ali Smith won the Women’s event on Raza points.

Paralympic long jump champion Joel de Jong raced in that event but decided against risking a hamstring injury in the jumps. Scottish Para athlete Steven Stone jumped 6.09 in his competition.

Steven jumped with the U18 athletes and the EAP U18 long jump was won by Douglas Knox of Springburn with 6.68m.

It was a learning curve for Scots across a range of events including U18 Women’s high jump, where Leanna Elliot won with 1.64m.

*All at scottishathletics send our sympathies and good wishes to Jane Davidson. Jane was hurt in a bad fall in the 60m hurdles right at the start of the programme and may well have suffered a serious leg injury. As the meet continued, Jane and her family were headed for a planned hospital visit.