Scottish Highland Games Association

Pitlochry all set for Glorious Finale

Shane Fenton previews the Recreation Park event

Pitlochry Highland Games is very much a favourite games amongst the competitors and spectators alike. Whether it's for the wide range of events on offer or to soak up the amazing atmosphere generated by the big crowd, usually in the region of 8000. With the high-banked seated terracing running along the length of the home straight there is very few games venues offer the opportunity for the crowds to interact with the competitors like they do at Recreation Park.

Events are always fiercely competitive but there always seems to be great camaraderie between all the competitors, with many just wanting to be there because-with no disrespect to Invercharron the following Saturday- it is the last big games of the year, and to say their farewells until the season resumes next May.

An innovation at Pitlochry a few years ago was the introduction of the Club relays for junior athletes 2 boys & 2 girls ages 12-15, it has proved to be a great success and in recent years heats have had to be run. Entries for the relay are open up to the day of the games.
The introduction of the Scottish Junior Jumps Championship three years ago further emphasized Pitlochry's reputation in encouraging Youth competitors into Highland games.

Pitlochry, as it has done in recent years, has attracted a mammoth field of Youth competitors.
An amazing 65 runners are down to contest the Youth 400 metres which has been split into seperate races for boys and girls. The 800 is also split, not so the 90 metres which will be run off in 8 heats.

The Open 90m will have four heats.The games also stages the Scottish 1600 metres SHGA championship.
There will be Open handicap races over 90-20-400-800-1600-3200 and for the Youth's 90-400-800. There is also Open and Youth relays. And to add to the camaraderie on the day the cyclists also include teams in both the relays at the close of proceedings on the track.

The cycling has also attracted a good entry with a total of 19[12 Open/7 Youth] bikes, they have a full programme of events including the 3200m Championship of the Highlands.

As well as the aforementioned Junior jumps competition there is also a full Open programme of Long, High and Triple Jump.
As ever the heavy event competitors will take centre stage, it is the final event in the season long Perthshire competition while in the Open competition many of the countries top throwers will once again do battle over the various disciplines.

The Tug o War at Pitlochry is always one of the best competitions of the season and this year has the added attraction of being the British Championship.

As the season draws to a close many of the prizes in the season long SHGA leagues are still up for grabs and that will add extra spice to the competition on the day.

Add in the childrens fun races, schools relay, highland dancing, pipe band contest and solo piping a great days entertainment is in prospect.

Published: 2017-09-07 21:26:15