Scottish Highland Games Association

GAMES ATHLETES AMONG THE MEDALS AT MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

GAMES ATHLETES AMONG THE MEDALS AT MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS writes Shane Fenton

Athletes who have competed predominantly on the Highland Games circuit and at the New Year Sprint over the years featured prominently among the medal winners at the Scottish Athletics Masters Indoor Championships at the Emirates Arena,Glasgow.

The age-groups range from 35 years upwards and are split into 5 year segments.

There was quite a number of medals in the 60 metres and 200 metres races, in the M40 category Cameron Smith took a gold in the 60m and a silver in the 200m. 1989 New Year Sprint winner Tommy Finkle did the double in winning the M50 group over both distances for two golds.

Doug Donald has been a long time supporter of the N Y Sprint, winning in 1991 and a finalist again this year, he took silvers in both the 90m & 200m in the M55 section on both occasions he was followed over the line by Ronnie Hunter who claimed double bronze.

Albert Eland from the North of England is another athlete who has been a strong supporter of the New Year meeting down the years, Albert picked up three medals at M70 level, gold in the 400m and silvers in both the 90m and 200m.

Two pro running stalwarts namely Walter Hunter and Jock Steede took gold and silver respectively in the M75 60 metres while Bob Douglas claimed silver in the M60 400 mts.

Remarkably, now in his 80's, Tony Bowman the 2006 New Year winner is not only still competing but still winning. Bowman from Leeds who is the oldest ever winner of the NYS took gold in both the M80 60m & 200m.

Francis Smith who has amassed a string of Scottish titles over the years claimed his first one as a vet with victory in the M35 60 mts hurdles.

There was a jumps double for Craig Sowerby who was the victor in the M35 Long & Triple Jump.

Wendy Nicol was delighted to pick up two medals in the F50 category with a gold in the long jump and bronze in the 60m.

RESULTS

60M

M40 1 Cameron Smith 7.50.

M50 1 Tommy Finkle 7.89.

F50 3 Wendy Nicol 9.74

M60 2 Doug Donald 7.94 3 Ronnie Hunter 7.96

M70 2 Albert Eland 9.65.

M75 1 Walter Hunter 9.05 2 Jock Steede 9.59.

M80 1 Tony Bowman 9.69.