By Ryan Kellock (Law and District AAC)
The stage is set for this weekend as 500 athletes prepare to make their way to Strathclyde Park where they will compete for coveted medals in the Scottish 10-Mile Championships.
The competition, held annually as part of the Tom Scott Memorial Road Races, will be celebrating its 61st year of racing since its establishment in 1962.
Hosted by Law and District AAC, the event always draws strong fields, supporters and an electric atmosphere.
Once again, the spaces for competition were sold out in record time, only taking a week for all the places to be filled which is a testament to the prestige and rich history that is at the foundation of this race.
The race for gold looks sure to be close as the list of competitors indicate that this year may result in the most thrilling competition to date with many talented athletes including former Olympians coming from the length and breadth of the country to compete again at Strathclyde Park.
Could the course records be broken again this year?
Women: 54:10 Annabel Simpson (Fife AC) in 2022
Men: 47:59 Luke Traynor (Giffnock North AC) in 2018
Medals on offer – details on RR and CC Commission website
Annabel Simpson took gold at Strathclyde Park last year (photo by Bobby Gavin)
Lewis wins first Senior title and Annabel gold, too (our 2024 event report)
The front of the women’s field is expected to feature Annabel Simpson (Fife AC) the woman’s course record holder who will be chasing a third gold in four years.
Also expected to contend might be Rosa Donaldson (Shettleston Harriers), Monica Blair (Garscube Harriers), Halina Rees (Fife AC), Nynke Mulholland (Inverclyde AC), Avril Mason (Shettleston Harriers), Meredith Reid (Inverclyde AC), Eve MacKinnon (Cambuslang Harriers) and Emily McNicol (Law and District AAC).
Another strong lineup is expected in the men’s category, with entrants including two-time Olympian Callum Hawkins (Kilbarchan AAC) one week from success at the National Road Relays.
Contenders will also include Scott Stirling (Falkirk Victoria Harriers), Taha Ghafari (Shettleston Harriers), Lewis Hannigan (Kilbarchan AAC), Andrew Thompson (Fife AC), Ryan Thomson (Cambuslang Harriers), Sean Chalmers (Aberdeen AAC), John Bell (Inverclyde AC), Moray Pryde (Lothian Running Club) and Kevin Campbell (Cambuslang Harriers).
Race organiser Bobby Hill said: ‘We’re looking forward to another incredible day for the sport on Sunday and whether you will be joining us to run, marshal or to cheer on athletes, I am certain you will have an excellent time.
‘Law and District AAC are grateful for all our volunteers and sponsors including Hydracrat, Tunnock’s and Co-Op Funeralcare Airdrie for their valued support once again this year.’
Photo by Bobby Gavin
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