Tru Wealth Young Athletes Road Races return to Greenock

This event was the last to take place in the athletics calendar in March 2020 before the first lockdown and it was fitting that the event returned to the same venue for 2022.

Over 400 young athletes aged 11 to 16 from all over Scotland took part in the six races covering the age groups under-13, under-15 and under-17.

With the sun shining, there were spectacular backdrops as the athletes progressed around the park.

Prior to the championship events starting, Inverclyde AC hosted races for the minis and under-nine and under-11 age groups.

While the three races were very competitive, the atmosphere was friendly and supportive as parents and families cheered on all the young athletes.

For the minis, this was another opportunity to gain a minis challenge medal and for the club athletes, it was an opportunity to record good points in the club’s Winter Championship which finishes at Easter.

Julliette Roy was first over the line in race one to win the P2 girls gold medal. Bobby Stetz won the P1 boys event, with Quinn Arthur sealing the P1 girls and Tom Campbell being crowned the P2 boys.

There were wins for James Reid (under-nine B), Rosie Callan (under-nine girls), Cameron Stevenson (minis boys) and Anna Nellis (minis girls) in race two and a joint win in race three as Charlie and Olivia Lyne refused to give into each other in the finishing stages.

Many thanks to volunteers Keir Arthur, Rhona Bushfield, Donny Cameron, Kay Cooke, Pamela Jamieson Smith, Kim Law and Collette McGeehan who stewarded and officiated these events, and to Lynne Owens and Campbell Skinner for photographs.

Results of minis and club races -

Race 1 P1/2: J. Roy 3.18; B. Stetz; 3.24; R. Callan 3.26; M. Jamieson 3.27; D. Flynn 3.28; N. McKnight 3.39; A. Harkins 3.48; M. Kerr 3.51; S. Buchanan 4.00; Q. Arthur 4.06; E. Falconer 4.08; T. Campbell 4.31.

Race 2 Minis P3-5 and Club U’9: J. Reid 3.38; S. McLaren 3.39; R. Callan 3.54; E. Kane 3.56; A. Shearer 4.04; A. Anderson 4.11; C. Stevenson 4.15; A. Nellis 4.22; L. Sutherland 4.24; R. Stetz 4.38; I. Lafferty 4.41; O. Kirkwood 4.48; L. McFarlane 4.59; C. Owens 5.01.

Race 3 Club U’11: 1 = C. Lyne, O. Lyne 6.05; I. Wilson 6.46; O. Law 6.51; S. Currie 7.01; C. McDougall 7.03; E. Buchanan 7.36; L. Kane 7.38.

The first championship race was the under-13 girls over 3K, which was won by Erin Burnett of Garscube Harriers.

Grace Barry was first home for Inverclyde AC, with Keira Gregory continuing to show improvement with each race.

The under-13 boys were next over 3K and it was East Kilbride’s Angus Wilkinson who took the gold medal.

Inverclyde’s team of Lucas Wagstaff, Ewan Docherty and Harry Bjonness packed well together throughout the race to take a very creditable sixth place in the team event.

The under-15 events were over 4K, with Caitlyn Heggie of Ross County and Oliver Patton of Kilbarchan AAC taking the titles.

Liam Kane and Iris Paterson represented the club in these races with both showing continued progress.

The final races for under-17, men and women were over 5K and there was some very fine running and tactics on display with strong front running from Louisa Brown of Garscube Harriers as she won with a margin of 20 seconds from second-placed finisher Hannah Ryding of Giffnock North AAC, with both girls well clear of the chasing athletes.

Meanwhile, the result was closer in the under-17 men's race, as Warren Laurente of Dundee Hawkhill H, looked impressive in the finishing straight as he opened up a three-second lead over Fraser Gilmour of VP Glasgow.

There was a spread of clubs winning the individual events. Giffnock North AAC once again showed the strength of their depth of athletes as they were victorious in all six team events as they had been last month at The Tru Wealth National XC Championships.

Full results are available on the Scottish Athletics website event calendar.

Events like this cannot be held without considerable work and effort behind the scenes beforehand and on the day.

Inverclyde AC club president Gerry Gaffney worked tirelessly with the Scottish Athletics event team, Ian Dyer and David McGregor of Inverclyde Leisure and with the Royal West Boat Club on the Esplanade.

On the day, Gerry co-ordinated club volunteers who were assigned stewarding duties, Keir Arthur, Rhona Bushfield, Donny Cameron, Gerry Gallagher, Morris Glen, Allan Hainey, Jon Hammerman, Michelle Hammerman, Jean Hammerman, Janice Hendrie, Kim Law, Collette McGeehan David Tamburini and Sarah Jane Whalen.

Many thanks also to the IAC catering team of Jan Gaffney, Karen Glen, Brenda Hainey and Anne Hay who kept the supply of hot drinks, sandwiches and home baking provided by Dawn Armitt, Anne Darroch, Anne Hay and Jean Hammerman, ongoing throughout the event to the delight of officials, spectators and also locals enjoying an afternoon walk in the park.

Many thanks to Anne Hay for organising the clean-up of the park after the last race.

Thanks also to the staff and officials of Scottish Athletics for their officiating duties on the day and for the Scottish Road Race Commission who oversee the event and to event photographers Campbell Skinner and Bobby Gavin.

Inverclyde AC are also are grateful for the assistance received from the Battery Park staff, Callum, Kevin and Jim and the staff of the Royal West Boat Club.

All reports from the event were very positive and Inverclyde proved itself once again as a friendly and fitting authority to host national athletic off-track events.

The event was held on behalf of the Inverclyde Local Athletics Partnership, which also includes Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Leisure, Active Schools Inverclyde and Inverclyde Schools Athletics.

Inverclyde AC hold numerous sessions throughout the week for both junior (age eight and over) and seniors.

For more information about club activities, contact the club via www.inverclydeac.org.uk or email inverclydeac01@gmail.com

Inverclyde AC is supported by Diodes Inc, Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Leisure, Smiths of Greenock, Succession Wealth.