PBs Galore in London as Jemma sets Scottish Record

Saturday 20th July 2024

It was strong day for the Scots in London at the final Diamond League meeting prior to the Olympic Games, with a Scottish record for Jemma Reekie plus wins for Samantha Kinghorn and Ben Sandilands (photo: James Rhodes).

Full results

The 800m field was stacked, with Olympians Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie in action..

With the group relatively together at the bell, Jemma and fellow Brit Keeley Hodgkinson then pulled away from the rest of the field.

Jemma showed she is in the form of her life going into Paris as she set a Scottish Record of 1:55:61 to take silver behind Hodgkinson, who posted a World Leading 1:54:61.

‘I just wanted to have a solid run out here today,’ said Jemma.

‘I had COVID a couple of weeks ago so I missed a bit of time but I knew if I was chasing after Keely I’d run fast. I was really happy with my position, we went off a little quicker than I expected.’

‘I’m definitely aiming to get myself a medal in Paris, I’ll do the same again and try and chase Keely down but she’s an amazing athlete.’

Laura hit a season’s best of 1:57:63, with her focus on next month’s 1500m in Paris.

Erin Wallace was a pacer for the race, pulling over at around the 500m mark.

In the Para events, Samantha Kinghorn took a convincing win in the 800m Wheelchair race (1:43:24).

She said: ‘It went according to plan although Lea (Bayekula) went out very fast so I was like what do I do now. I took it out and overtook Mel (Woods) who tucked in behind and then I tried to relax on the second lap and hold on to it.’

In the same event, Melanie Woods took the Bronze in a PB of 1:46:85 as she makes a final bid to join Sammi on the plane to Paris.

In the 1500m Ambulant Men, Ben Sandilands took Gold in 3:55:10, with Steven Bryce next over the line in 3:56:62, a PB of almost 2 seconds that he will be hoping catches the eye of the Paralympic selectors.

Steven said: ‘My aim today was to get a good time at 3:55, but that was hard but it was good. I really pushed myself. Before Paris now I am just going to get some more training in.’

With the Paralympic selectors due to meet Monday to make final selections for the team, Steven and Melanie have now done all they can to hold their hand up for selection.

Photo by Paul Harding – British Athletics/British Athletics via Getty Images)

Elsewhere, Nicole Yeargin featured in the 400m National race, posting a 51:62 for Silver, just shy of the season’s best she posted last month as she prepares for Paris.

In the field, Will Grimsey featured in the Men’s High Jump, posting a 2.22m to finish 3rd. The current British champion is expected to soon confirm plans to retire this summer.

Neil Gourley was unfortunately involved in a fall at the start of the Emsley Carr Mile event and did not finish.

There was a Season Best run at 100m for Alyson Bell as she clocked 11.46 in the national sprint race.

Full results

Tags: Alyson Bell, Ben Sandilands, Erin Wallace, Jemma Reekie, Keeley Hodgkinson, Laura Muir, London Diamond League, Melanie Woods, Neil Gourley, Nicole Yeargin, Samantha Kinghorn, Will Grimsey