Scottish athletics Youth Road Races

Four young harriers made their way up to the Royal Highland Show Centre at Ingliston, Edinburgh on Sunday 17th March to swap their spikes for racing flats for the fast and furious Scottish athletics Young Athletes’ Road Races. Conditions were a bit blustery however, thankfully, the snow from the day before had cleared, writes Eilidh Jaffray.

Irvine Welsh

The first race of the day saw wee, speedy Irvine Welsh in the u13 boys’ 3000m race against competitors who were nearly double his size. Irvine completed 1 small lap and 1 large lap keeping up with the pack and even managing to pick off a few of his competitors on the last lap to finish in a fantastic 26th out of 111 runners in a time of 10:39.

Robbie Welsh

Next up was Irvine’s brother Robbie Welsh who went in the u15 boys’ race with competitors which was a 4000m race made up of 2 speedy large laps. Robbie also ran against boys who towered over him although he worked hard and finished in a time of 15:07 putting him in a respectable 70th place.

Eilidh Jaffray

The last age group of the day to run was the u17 category which saw harriers Eilidh Jaffray and Fraser Clyne both running 5k round 1 small lap and 2 large laps of the Highland Show Grounds. First up was Eilidh in the u17 women’s’ race. Eilidh started well then picked off her competitors finishing in 5th position in a time of 17:21.

Fraser Clyne

Fraser Clyne raced in the 6th and final event of the day, the u17 men’s 5000m. Fraser dug in deep and fought to come in 42nd place in a stacked field.

Overall, this was a great course at a great venue which will hopefully grow in years to come.