FOUR Inverclyde Athletic Club runners have been selected to join an elite project aimed at bolstering Scotland's marathon squad ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Jonny Glen and Adam Craig were last week picked to be a part of Scottishathletics' marathon project.

Adam stepped up to international level and made a solid debut at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2020, finishing 62nd place in 63.12, while Jonny has thrived over long distance running.

They joined fellow Inverclyde runners Sean Fontana and Craig Ruddy who were chosen when the programme was launched in 2019.

Robert Hawkins, father and coach of Scottish marathon record breaker Callum and fellow Olympian and twice national cross country winner Derek, will lead the programme.

The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is a clear target for the four IAC runners, with an aspiration for Scotland to field a team of three men at the event.

Marathon project lead Robert said: "It’s good to see the Marathon Project adding more depth and trying to adjust according to very difficult circumstances over the past year – with very few quality races available.

"There are some encouraging signs and we would stress that we see the Marathon Project as a medium to long-term programme geared to hopefully raising the overall standard of marathon running by Scots over a few years.

"The nature of the marathon and the training loads involved often means athletes develop at different rates so a flexible approach in terms of the help and support given is key."

Interim director of performance Mark Pollard said: "The marathon project is an important part of our endurance strategy and Commonwealth Games planning.

"Clearly road running has been very badly affected over the past 12 months or so by the global pandemic but there have still been a handful of good performances.

"By extending the project we’ve been able to bring in some athletes who have already represented GB and NI in cross country or on the road."