News Archive
Airth doubles for Central AC athletes writes Shane Fenton
DOUBLES FOR PATERSON & McDONALD AT AIRTH
[Shane Fenton reports from 'The Wilderness']
GB & Ireland cross country internationalist Scott McDonald was the man in form at Airth Highland Games on Saturday.
The Central AC athlete landed a double by winning both the 1600 metres and 3200 metres Handicaps, on both occasions giving away big starts to his rivals.
Running from the 40m mark in the 1600m McDonald worked his way through the field to break the tape in 4 minutes 15.24 seconds ahead of Dean Whiteford[140m] Innerleithen and Craig Bell[235m]Forfar. 8 Ran.
The 3200m saw him penalised 45m from his original handicap which meant he had to run from the scratch mark, this proved no deterrent as he once again reeled in his rivals to win in 9 minutes 23.62 seconds, Graeme Gibson[160m]D. T. & F. C. ran a good race to take the runners prize with Dean Whiteford[240m] in third. 8 Ran.
There was a thrilling finish to the 800 metres Handicap with backmarker Colin Welsh[35m]Kelso all out to hold off the renewed challenge of Callum McWilliams[60m] Giffnock North AC with Wallace McGown[120m]Sauchie in third. 9 Ran.
The photo finish equipment was required to determine the outcome of both the Open 90 metres and 200 metres handicaps.
The verdict and £200 prize in the 90 metres went to games debutant 16 year old Lewis Halliday[11.5m] Central AC who edged out his training companion Cameron Smith[8.5m] Tullibody with former New Year Sprint winner Martyn Paterson[7.75m] close up in 3rd place, the 3 other finalists were, Billy Martin[11.5m], Walter Hunter[22.75m] and Laura McCracken[16.5m].
Martyn Paterson[24m] was a somewhat fortuitous winner of the 200m, Billy Martin[34m] looked to have the race won, when in the last few metres from the finish line a beach ball sized balloon blew over the track, this was enough to interrupt the impetus of the Fife sprinter and Paterson who was finishing fastest of all challenged Martin on the wide outside and the pair flashed over the line in unison. After a lengthy deliberation of the photo finish by the judges the decision went to Paterson in 20.38 seconds. Arlene Barr[44m]VP-C of G AC in 3rd. 15 Ran.[2 heats].
Paterson[23m] went on to complete the double in the 400 metres Handicap with another power packed performance. This time getting the better of his 90m conqueror Lewis Halliday[38m] to win in 47.32 seconds with Callum McWilliams[27m] in third. 11 Ran
Kevin Halliday[13m] Central AC just failed to make it a family sprint double in the Youth's 90 metres Handicap when he had to settle for the runners-up spot behind victor Dylan Lindsay[11.5m] Glenrothes with recent Alva Games youth sprint winner Ewan Smith[21.5m] Central AC in third. 6 Ran.
Halliday was also runner up in the Youth's 1600 metres where victory went to Pitreavie AC's Dylan Thomson in 5 minutes 06.32 seconds.
It was an eventful day for the cyclists, despite the track being in good condition there were a few tumbles, one of which saw Linlithgow rider Sam Fagan who was making his games debut end up in A & E with a suspected broken collar bone.
He came off in the final event along with Andy Turnbull, Stirling in the first lap of the Deil tak the Hindmost. Earlier in the afternoon Turnbull was again a casualty, with 400 metres of the 4800 metres handicap left to run he was locked in contention for the £100 first prize along with Steve Jackson, Glasgow when down he went on the showground bend. Luckily unscathed.
Jackson enjoyed his best ever day on the circuit by landing a treble of 1600m, 4800m and Deil. The luckless Andy Turnbull gained some consolation for his turbulent afternoon with victory in the 3200 metres handicap.
There has been an influx of junior cyclists on the circuit this summer, which has been good to see, and another pair made their games debuts at Airth, for Martin Guthrie, Linlithgow it was a winning first start as he headed the field in the 1600 metres Handicap ahead of his club mate Chris Hordon and Dylan Lindsay. Glenrothes.
Brook Detlaff, Valleyfield was the victor in the 800 metres Handicap winning by the width of a tyre from debutant Jody Robson, Cairneyhill with Alex Ball, Linlithgow in third.
Neil Elliot was the overall winner of the heavy events competition, i haven't received the full results for these as yet.
Published: 2013-07-28 16:43:35
UPCOMING EVENTS
Our Sponsors
