Jemma Reekie sets new British Record at 800m

Saturday 1st February 2020

Video by Gordon Curran

Photo by Bobby Gavin

Jemma Reekie came up with the biggest moment of her career so far – as she landed British and Scottish Records in an Invitational 800m race in Glasgow.

The Emirates Arena crowd could barely contain their excitement as Reekie, a double European U23 champion on the track last summer, surged beyond Laura Muir on the last lap.

Jemma duly clocked a remarkable 1:57.91 to get inside both Muir’s Scottish National and Native Records, subject to ratification, and also eclipse a run by Jenny Meadows as the British best performance for 800m indoors at 1:58.43.

With the like of GB international Adelle Tracey and Canadian Gabi Debues-Stafford, a World Champs finalist in the 1500m last summer alongside Laura, there were a few ‘scalps’ there for the Kilbarchan AAC prospect.

In fact, Laura’s run at 1:58.44 was more than a second inside her National Record set at the Emirates a couple of years ago at 1:59.50.

Jemma tweeted later: ‘I don’t even know what happened out there. I need to try and process this. Thanks for all the lovely messages.’

Many congratulations to both athletes, their families and coach Andy Young.

Further back in a race which was paced by Philippa Millage, there was a PB for Erin Wallace at 2:05.68 – taking a second off her previous best for 800m indoors.

Photos by Bobby Gavin