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Cyclist Burke upsets the odds in Scottish championship at sun-kissed Alva.
Shane Fenton reports from the Johnstone Park
With the Johnstone Park bathed in warm sunshine the 162nd Famous Alva Games once again attracted a big crowd who witnessed an afternoon of spectacular competition in the various events.
There was a major upset in the Scottish 3200 metres Cycle Championship with the title going to Stewart Burke,Dunfermline, the Fifer slipped the field early in the race and quickly built up a near half lap advantage, most were expecting the chasing pack to work together and reel him in as the race progressed. This didn't materialise and when the leader took the bell he was still 100 metres clear, despite a last ditch effort from his pursuers he stayed on in the closing stages for a comfortable win.The previous years champion Charles Fletcher,Grantown on Spey finished runner up with Lewis Oliphant ,Edinburgh in third. Ironically in the following Deil tak the Hindmost Burke was the first rider eliminated, victory went to Fletcher from Oliphant and Paul Gallacher,Kirkcaldy. Earlier in the day the latter pair were victorious in the 800 metres and 1600 metres respectively.
There was local success in the Open 90 metres handicap, victory went to 16 year old Euan Smith,Tullibody[10m] who was racing in his first senior event, following him over the line was another games debutant Chris Hutchison,Alloa[13m] the son of the former sprint great Bert, third place went to Cammy Smith who is a past winner of the race and father of winner Euan.
There was a close and exciting finish to the Open 200 metres handicap with Tommy Finkle,Jedburgh who was racing at Alva for the first time edging home ahead of Geoff Keen,Selkirk with Euan Smirh in third.
Another 16 year old who was making his senior debut was Edouard Lecrivain,Aberdeen AC, he made it a memorable one by landing a middle distance double. In the 800 metres he came home a clear winner from Jacob Aubrey,Kendal and Ewan Bradley,Inverness with the latter two placings reversed in the 400 metres.
There was an impressive run from Sean Chalmers,Inverness to win the 1600 metres, Angela Bell,Forfar and Edouard Lcrivain filled the minor berths.
Central AC athletes finished 1 – 2 in the 3200 metres with Aidan Thomson coming through from the backmark to come home ahead of Telfer Gray with Angela Bell in third. There was further Central AC success in the Youth's 90 metres handicap with victory going to Daniel Ferguson who powered through from the backmark to pip Ruaridh Elder,Alloa and Brogan Russell,Orkney AC.Russell and Elder then finished in second and third place in the Youth's 200 metres handicap where victory went to Amy Honeyman,Menstrie.
Emily Swarbrick,Cumbria retained her title in the Youth's 400 metres. Aidan Page,Dunbar AC took the Youth 800 metres with Toby Middleton,Bolton the victor in the Youth 1600.
Games guest of honour was Championship Hill Race record holder Kenny Stuart, he watched on as 17 year old Josh Boyle turned in one of the best performances in recent years to take the title albeit outside the record set by Kenny in 1981. Kirsty Hall,Ribble Valley retained the women's crown.Rowan Ashworth,Ambleside and Lucille Pickles,Bolton were the respective first boy and girl finishers in the Under-12 hill race. The under-14 race was won by Charlie Almond,Ambleside with Charlotte Rawstron,Otley AC leading girl.The British Junior Championship was won by Sam Smith,Silsden.
There was a big field of nine throwers in the heavy events,Kyle Randalls,Falkirk emerged the overall winner with wins in the 28lb weight for distance, 56lb weight for height, 22lb shot putt and 16lb and 22lb hammer.Dan Carlin,Renfrew landed a double with wins in the 16lb shot putt and caber. Filling the minor placings were Willie Falconer,Glasgow,John Neil,Perth,Pete Hart,Glenisla,David Melcinuk,Aberdeen,Chris Beetham,Tullibody and American duo John Odden and John Neilson.
Published: 2018-07-14 22:23:10
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