Scottish Masters savour European medal moments in Madeira sunshine

Monday 20th October 2025

Rob McHarg celebrates M60 World Record at 800m (photo via Athletics Weekly)

Scottish Masters athletes have been a powerful force across the British, European and World scene in recent years in track and field.

And there was further evidence of the cohort’s collective strength at the European Masters in Madeira.

Rob McHarg, who holds the Indoor World Record for M60 800m (at 2:09.11), broke the outdoor version to win the M60 at 800m – in 2:07.65 (to improve mark set by American Nolan Shaheed in 2011 at 2:08.56).

Chris Upson enjoyed a remarkable Championships with a clutch of medals including two individual golds in the M60 5000m and 10,000m.

Edinburgh AC sprinter, Stacey Downie, had a marvellous few days, too, winning individual medals at 100m and 200m and then taking gold in the 4x100m Relay with team-mates from GB and NI.

We have listed some performances below.

There is a strong likelihood we may have missed some Scottish medals – apologies. Please do let us know by email peter.jardine@scottishathletics.org.uk

Well done to all athletes who made the trip to Madeira.

Stacey Downie on the W35 100m podium and John Thomson (photos via social media)

Chris Upson – M60 golds at 5000m and 10,000m; marathon team gold; Silver in cross country; Bronze in half marathon and 10k

Robert McHarg – M60 gold at 800m and silver at 1500m

Chris Loudon – M40 1500m gold

Jacqueline Etherington – W45 Steeplechase silver and XC bronze

John Thomson – M65 1500 silver and 800m bronze

Stacey Downie – W35 100m bronze, 200m silver and 4x100m gold

Laura Haggerty – W40 1500m silver

Lisa Finlay – W55 5000m silver and half marathon gold

Darren Scott – M55 100m gold; 200m gold, mixed 50 4x400m Relay silver (competing down an age group); M55 Scottish High Jump Record 1.65m (in decathlon)

Alan Robertson – M45 4x100m Relay gold

Allan Leiper – M65 shot gold and weight pentathlon silver

Angela Kelly – W65 4x100m Relay silver

Dougie Graham – M45 pole vault silver

Ronnie Hunter – M60 4 x 100m Bronze

*If you are ‘in this space’ (Masters athlete competing at these events or someone following performances) and would be willing to do a round-up report to help Scottish Athletics, please contact us on the email address above.

This would be really helpful and this model tends to work in areas like hill running, Para, Ultra in terms of helping us with coverage.