News Archive

EIGHT WINS AT BIRNAM FOR RECORD BREAKING LUKASZ writes SHANE FENTON

Polish strongman Lukasz Wenta thrilled the crowds at the Birnam Highland Games with an excellent exhibition of throwing winning all eight disciplines and breaking four ground records in the process.

Wenta who is emerging as a strong candidate for the SHGA heavy event athlete of the year set new marks in both the 16lb Shot [56' 1''], 22lb Shot [49' 11''], 56lb Weight for Height [15' 3''] and Milennium Stone [38' 4''].
Filling the minor positions were David Dowson, Stuart Anderson and David Colthart senior and junior.
In the running events Birnam were privliged to have Scotland's fastest man Nick Smith, Shaftesbury Barnet AC on show, and the seven times Scottish Athletics 100 metres sprint champion didn't let the big Perthshire crowd down, as he burst out of the blocks and sprinted clear of his rivals to take the Scottish 100 yards title in a time of 9.65 seconds.
Smith will make his final appearance on Scottish soil this Saturday at the Braemar Games, as later in the year he has plans to emigrate to New Zealand.
Victory in the 90 metres handicap went to the oldest competitor in the field, at 66 years old Ron Sutherland, Innerleithen was winning his first ever race on the games circuit, from his start of 33 metres he held off the late challenges of T.L.J.T. duo Darrin Scott and Lee Goodfellow, to break the tape in 9.56 seconds.
Goodfellow gained consolation in the 200 Metres Handicap, in a close finish he crossed the line just ahead of Graeme Armstrong, Edinburgh and Andy Cullen, Corstorphine AC.
There was a Fife win in the 400 metres Handicap where victory went to Graham Lister, Kirkcaldy in 52.03 seconds, filling the minor places were Willie Bates, Tullibody and Scott Robertson, Central AC, this pair are currently neck and neck in the race for the overall SHGA middle distance title.
Craig Robertson, Pitreavie AC completed an 800 metres double firstly he won the SHGA scratch Championship before going on to win the handicap later in the afternoon, on both occasions Scott Robertson and Willie Bates followed him over the line.
As he did at Oban 48 hours earlier veteran Sam Bates, Tullibody made good use of his 380 metres handicap to lead from gun to tape in the 1600 metres Handicap, Adam Craig, Selkirk and John Thomson, Coaltown of Balgonie followed him home.
The three of the four Youth races were won by athletes from the Borders, Eve Huxley, Innerleithen followed up her win at the Inverkeithing Games by racing to victory in the 90 metres Handicap in 10.17 seconds ahead of Craig Bruce, Selkirk and Mhairi Henderson, T.L.J.T.
The latter would later go on to win the 200 metres but she was taken all the way to the line by Lauren Thomson, Fife AC with Hannah McCrae, T.L.J.T third, Henderson's winning time was 23.95 seconds.
There was a family 1 - 2 in the 800 metres with Edinburgh sisters Amy and Billie Armstrong finishing 1st and 2nd with backmarker John McLean, Selkirk in third.
Not for the first time this season Selkirk youths dominated the 1600 metres, John McLean came through from the backmark to collar his training companion Zaynah Aziz on the last lap to claim the win with Jack Stanners in third.
In the cycling events James Melville, Dumbarton had his best day on the circuit this season with wins in the 800 metres and 1600 metres Handicaps as well as the Deil tak the Hindmost, he was foiled for the clean sweep in the 3200 metres Handicap where he was just thwarted by Newburgh's Dave Mathieson.
One of the athletes was also crowned the World Haggis Eating Champion, Lee Goodfellow from Earlston in the Borders downed one lb of the stuff quicker than anyone else to take title.

Published: 2011-08-28 16:47:36

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Atholl Gathering
The Atholl Gathering Sun 26th May

Our Sponsors