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Bridge of Allan all set for 166th Strathallan Meeting
Shane Fenton previews the 166th STRATHALLAN MEETING
The Strathallan meeting in its present form has held a central place in traditional Scottish sport for over 160 years. The Games are widely recognised as being one of the top athletic meetings on the calendar, attracting competitors from all over Scotland and further afield.
A stellar line up is all set to contest the British Heavy Events Championship, Scott Rider who retired injured in the recent World Championships at Loch Lomond is back competing and will make a bold bid to retain the title he won 12 months ago. He faces strong opposition from the likes of Lukasz Wenta who won the World title and Lorne Colthart the World Caber champion. Kyle Randalls, Craig Sinclair and Sebastien Wenta are also likely to be in the mix.
The running and jumping programme is highly popular and always attracts one of the biggest entry of competitors of any highland games on the circuit. There is generous prize money on offer for all events with the top prize of the day being the £600 which goes to the victor in the Open 90 metres handicap.
There is good fields in both the Open and Youth 90 metres handicaps, Most encouraging to see 10 heats in the latter. which hopefully augurs well for the future. There will be Open running events over 90m,200m,400m,800m,1600 m and 3200m all handicaps. The Youth's race over 90m,200m,400m and 800m and owing to the size of the entry will be split into two age-groups for each race 9-12 years and 13-15 years.
[RUNNERS SHOULD NOTE THAT THEIR EVENTS WILL BEGIN AT 12 NOON TO ALLOW THE OPEN & YOUTH 90M HEATS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE HAMMER THROWING CONTEST BEGINS].
Jumping events are again proving to be very popular on the circuit this summer and good competition is expected on Sunday in the Long and Triple Jump contests.
The cyclists who always thrill the big crowd will contest four events with 10 riders declared to compete.
Up until 1956 the Strathallan meeting was a traditional games with money prizes, then from 1957 till 1998 it affiliated to the amateur sports organizations and all the track and field events came under the auspices of the Scottish A.A.A.
In 1993 athletics in Scotland became 'Open' allowing amateurs and professionals to compete in the same events and races, it was however 6 years later in 1999 before the games affiliated to the S.H.G.A..
Over 50 pipe bands will compete in their various grades throughout the afternoon, there is also full programme's of Highland Dancing and Wrestling.
Published: 2017-08-04 11:09:00
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