Winning feeling: Megan leads Scotland Women to team victory in Armagh

Friday 9th February 2024

From Charles Bannerman in Armagh

Megan Davies (9:19) emerged from a tightly bunched group in the long finishing straight to grab team and individual victory for Scotland in the Women’s 3k at the Armagh International Road Races.

Scotland also packed three athletes into the top 13 places and all under 14 minutes in the international men’s 5k to take third place behind strong Swedish and Finnish teams on a cold and damp night in Northern Ireland.

Davies just edged 2023 women’s runner up Ceri Hughes of (Cardiff), who also recorded 9:19 in a slow starting race, with defending champion Alex Bell (Pudsey and Bramley) two seconds adrift in what began as a tactical race.

‘We got into the finishing straight and we were all waiting for Alex Bell to come through and she did,’ said Megan.

‘But it was’t decisive and it was a bit of a scramble. When I took the lead, I thought ‘I just want it to end’

‘I’m delighted to win and also with the team win. That’s the first time that has happened when I”ve been here and the girls packed very well.’

Megan Davies takes the win in Armagh (photo by Keith McClure Photography)

Scotland’s other winning women’s team counters were Sarah Calvert of Edinburgh Uni, 11th in 9:31, Stefanie Tucker (Cambuslang) 23rd in 9:41. They were backed up by Hannah Anderson (Edinburgh University) 31st in 9:45.

Jamie Crowe, siith in 13:51, led home Scotland’s men, followed by Central AC club-mate Ben MacMillan ninth in 13:53,

In terms of the Scotland team, Scott Stirling (Falkirk), 11th in 13:55 and Angus McMillan (City of York), 13th in 13:57 helped clinch third place in the international race. Duncan Robinson was the fourth team member.

A total of 129 men broke15 minutes in a race won in 13:49 by Finland’s European steeplechase champion Topi Raitenen.

The Scotland men’s team at Armagh

The Armagh races always attract a huge and very visible Scottish contingent, including a number of club runners and prominent among them was Steph Pennycook of Leeds who took sixth place in the women’s race in 9:24.

There were other highlights for the Scots in Armagh . . .

*Central AC won the prestigous Men’s club race with a fine team performance

*Cambuslang Harriers took third place in the Women’s club race over 3k

*Leeds City won that race with their first two counters being Scottish athletes Steph Pennycook and Sarah Potter

*Kilbarchan AAC athlete Oliver Patton took the win in the Men’s 3k race with 8:29.

Thanks very much to to Ross Cairns and Angela Mudge in team manager roles in Armagh and to Charles Bannerman for comms assistance.