M65 Record run by Paul Forbes; Strathclyde Uni support; Harmeny job

Tuesday 21st December 2021

Photo by Bobby Gavin

Athletics Weekly coverage

It’s always a pleasure to report on Scottish athletes achieving great things and that certainly applies to a remarkable Masters performance by Paul Forbes at the Glasgow Athletics Association indoor meet last weekend.

We understand the Edinburgh AC athlete set a new World Best for 800m in the M65 category with a run of 2:15.30. That eclipses a time of 2:16.65 set by Joe Gough in Dublin three years ago.

Paul was of course a Team Scotland athlete at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh all of 35 years ago and his lifetime in the sport remains a huge inspiration to many.

He had also competed at the 1978 and 1982 Commonwealths and is seventh on the all-time list for 800m.

‘I knew I was in good shape and the track training had been going very well,’ said Paul.

‘In fact, all the guys I train with (Paul McMonagle, Mark Gallacher and Graeme Gemmell) were running well and I came off the 4K cross country at Lanark feeling great and thinking ‘I need to find a race.’

‘But you still need everything to fall into the place on the day to get any kind of Record. That applies at every age and stage in athletics – and I’ve been racing since I was 12. It all worked out really well on Sunday and I’m chuffed with the response.’

Many congratulations, Paul !

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Nine Scottish athletes have received key support from the Strathclyde University Performance Sport programme.

Strathclyde University have announced a 61-strong cohort for their support with no fewer than 20 sports covered.

So it is good to see the athletics contingent close to double figures via the backing for the 2021-22 academic year for these athletes:

Rachel Callan, Matthew Chandler, Murray Fotheringham, Holly McArthur, Mhairi Patience, Jack Patton, Alessandro Schenini, Matthew Smith, Teddy Tchoudja

This support includes flexible academic study options, strength and conditioning services at a world class facility, world-class sports science and medical support, athlete lifestyle support workshops, and financial assistance towards training and competition costs.

Sport and Physical Activity student Mark Stewart (Cycling) and Mechanical Engineering student Alessandro Schenini (Athletics) have been awarded The Dr Jack Dunlop Elite Athlete Scholarship

Well done to our Strathclyde Scholars and their coaches and good luck for 2022.

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Harmeny AC are looking for an Adult Community Coordinator to continue their fantastic work reaching out to the communities of Edinburgh.

Applications close on January 5 and you can find out more via our Jobs in Athletics page

Harmeny AC post

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Tags: Masters athletics, Paul Forbes, Strathclyde Uni Performance Sport Scholars

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