Scottish Highland Games Association

Jimmy Bryce

JIMMY BRYCE

It is with great sadness we record the passing of well known and respected athlete and coach Jimmy Bryce who was 88..

Jimmy was a founding member of the Lochgelly & District Athletic club and thereafter Dunfermline & West Fife.AC.

Hailing from the Clackmananshire town of Alva, Jimmy's greatest success as an athlete was undoubtably winning the famous New Year Powderhall Sprint in 1956. He would go on to compette on the Highland and Border Games circuits for a further six decades and was still competing well into 70's. Despite his advancing years he would always enter the New Year Sprint fully knowing he had no intention of running, when asked why he did this, he would alway reply 'awe jist ti see whit merk he [AP Crawford] will gie me'.

Jimmy is one of few people to have both won and coached a New Year Sprint winner, he was responsible for the success of Nick Smith winning the big race in 2001.

Jimmy coached athletes to a high level both on the mainstream Scottish Athletics circuit as well as Highland Games. He guided 16 year old Lynsey McDonald to a 4 x 400 metres bronze medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics

Under Jimmy's tutorship Gemma Nicol went on to compete at international level and to many Scottish Championship wins , Gemma has contested six New Year Sprint finals all with the help of Jimmy.

Jimmy was an inspirational character, setting many athletes on their path to a successful career in the sport. Athletics was his life and his influence around the tracks and parks will be sadly missed.

Shane Fenton

Jimmy's funeral will take place at Alva Cemetery on Monday 18th May at 11am.

Published: 2020-05-07 11:38:19