District Champs and Outdoor Opens return with competition at three venues

Monday 16th May 2022

Zoey Clark in action at Grangemouth on Saturday (photo by Simon Wootton)

Olympian Zoey Clark led the way as the 4J District Champs and Outdoor Open events returned after a three-year absence.

Three venues played host with the action in Inverness, Grangemouth and Kilmarnock stretching from Friday teatime in the Highlands through to Sunday afternoon at the other two tracks.

Thanks are due to so many people who helped make these events happen and we say a particular thank you to our qualified scottishathletics Officials with their expertise spread over the three venues.

All the effort paid off, for sure, when young athletes stepped forward for District medals at U13, U15 and U17 level while our U20s and Seniors competed in Outdoor Open events.

Friendly rivalry was renewed in the District and Outdoor Open competition (photo by Simon Wootton – at Grangemouth on Saturday)

Zoey, of course, has been no stranger to Grangemouth over ten years or more and she delivered a very solid season opener over 400m with 52.00 on Saturday.

The Aberdeen-based athlete followed that up with 51.92 on Sunday – to get inside the Team Scotland qualifying time for Birmingham 2022.

Alyson Bell was quickest in the 100m women’s races on Saturday with 11.80 with Taylah Spence from Orkney clocking 11.89 in that race. Scott Connal‘s 14.31 run in the 110m Hurdles took him fifth in the all-time list.

In the men’s long jump, Stephen Mackenzie reached 7.29m.

Grangemouth – Saturday and Sunday: East District Champs U13/U15/U17 and Outdoor Opens Sprints and Jumps (Seniors and U20s)

Results

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KILMARNOCK#4Jathletics
Great photos from @Bobby_ThatOneMo from today's West District/Outdoor Open actionhttps://t.co/2Vpe2KtscJ @SALChiefExec @SALDevelopment @SAL_Coaching @LindsayMcMaho15 @jimgkhac @KillieHarriers @ayrseaforth @gnaac1 @Law_DistrictAAC @NAathleticsclub pic.twitter.com/SuaabZZXm2

— scottishathletics (@scotathletics) May 14, 2022

Kilmarnock photos on Facebook

West athletes gathered at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena for their District competition at U17, U15 and U13 level.

And there were endurance and throws events for Seniors and U20s via the new event plan for this particular weekend.

There were championship best performances as well as PBs and SBs. Young thrower Meghan Porterfield was in fine form to take a shot and discus U17 medal double with Meghan’s 42.52m in the discus taking down a CBP which had stood since 1970!

At Senor level, the best times over 800m and 1500m in the men’s division were posted by Duncan Robinson of Giffnock and Finlay Murray of East Sutherland respectively. Kilbarchan U20 Dawn Russell was close to 40m in the javelin with 39.55m.

Kilmarnock – Saturday and Sunday; West District Champs U13/U15/U17 and Outdoor Opens Endurance and Throws (Seniors and U20s)

Results

Photos by Bobby Gavin

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22 year old record went last night in the hammer, 41,17m the new one at the #4j @scotathletics North District Championships well done Peace @InvHarriersAAC @SALDevelopment @HLHsocial @HLHSport @nairnaaac @ElginAAC @StornowayRAC @shetlandaac @AliGrey73 @RossCountyAC pic.twitter.com/9SSqsQOeWk

— Duncan Flockhart (@FlockhartDuncan) May 14, 2022

Inverness – Friday evening and Saturday: North District Champs U13/U15/U17 and Outdoor Open (Seniors and U20s)

Results

Photos on Facebook

The North’s newest athlete made his mark on the track at Inverness on Friday evening and Saturday.

Just days before relocating to Elgin, Shettleston Harrier Lachlan Oates ran out a clear winner of the 5000m in 15:00.39 in windy conditions which played havoc with performance levels.

Athletes from the island clubs Orkney, Shetland, North Uist and Stornoway made a huge impact on the championships, providing half the meeting’s performances on the day.

They were also rewarded with one of just four championship records in the conditions when Abbie Stewart ran 4:50.26 in the U15 Girls 1500m.

Over the same distance, Lachlan Buchanan of Inverness returned a time of 4:09.81 in the U17 men’s event. Holly Whittaker improved the U15 Girls long jump record to 5.11m and Peace Igbinidu threw the hammer 41.17m.

With thanks to Charles Bannerman

Tags: 4J District Champs, Grangemouth, Inverness, Kilmarnock