The second of our Open Graded Meetings took place on a night of heavy rain but, in general, light winds.
A big thank you to all our officials who have supported the meetings over the two nights. Many of them have had a very busy summer working at all the local events, as well as at the Commonwealth and European Games. I know we pass on our thanks from everyone in the athletics community. We really appreciate our officials and their continued support.
We had nearly 800 entries over the two nights, which makes this one of the biggest track and field events in Scotland. Athletes travelled from around Scotland and further afield to take part.
It was a great night of athletics despite the weather, and we were delighted to welcome along Alison Thewliss, Minister for Community Care Scotland and our local MSP, who dashed from Holyrood to be with us. Alison has been a great supporter of the club over many years and regularly supports us in many ways.
Our National Club Manager Erin Gillen and the Callan family were also on hand to present the trophies, along with Alison, to the winners of our two memorial 800m finals. The club would like to thank Slipstream Media for supporting these events.
Derek McLean Memorial 800m
The Derek McLean Memorial Race has been running since 1979 and has seen some of the most talented 800m athletes progress from this race to the senior age groups.
Derek was a very talented young U15 athlete who lost his life to cancer at an early age, and the club is delighted to support his memory by continuing to promote the Derek McLean Race.
The race has become one of the must-win events for U15 athletes in Scotland, and this year was contested by U16 athletes for the first time.
In an exciting race over the last 300m, Evan Tyler (Giffnock North AC) managed to pull away to win in a time of 2:02.78. Evan is the current Scottish U16 800m champion, but he did not have it all his own way, with Archie Brown (Lasswade AC) making a big surge down the back straight before fading in the home straight.
Archie eventually finished fourth, behind Tom Hilton (Perth Strathtay Harriers) and Jamie Walker (Kilmarnock Harriers).
Derek McLean Memorial Race Results
| Pos | Athlete | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evan Tyler | Giffnock North AC | 2:02.78 |
| 2 | Tom Hilton | Perth Strathtay Harriers | 2:03.01 |
| 3 | Jamie Walker | Kilmarnock Harriers | 2:03.32 |
| 4 | Archie Brown | Lasswade AC | 2:03.51 |
| 5 | Maxwell Mungin | Kilbarchan AAC | 2:04.12 |
| 6 | Alexander Wotherspoon | Law & District AAC | 2:04.24 |
| 7 | Eoghan Connelly | Motherwell AC | 2:05.69 |
| DNS | Tom Ibbs | Team East Lothian | — |
Adrian Callan Memorial 800m
The Adrian Callan event also produced a great race, with Zoe Roberts (Shettleston Harriers) becoming the first home winner of the race in a time of 2:14.96.
Zoe has had a great season, winning numerous events, and we know this was the icing on the cake for her in an event she really wanted to win.
She set off fast and dropped most of the girls over the first lap to win by a clear margin. Behind her, Emma Nicholson (Giffnock North AC) and Zoe Baillie (East Kilbride AC) finished second and third.
A special mention must go to Rowan Campbell (North Uist Amateur Athletics), who made the trip to contest the final. Well travelled, young lady!
Adrian was again taken from us at an early age by cancer, but anyone who knew him as an athlete and as a person was full of admiration for his battle and the fight he showed in his final years.
A fantastic athlete who competed from U13 through to Masters, Adrian won numerous national titles for himself and for his two clubs, Springburn Harriers and Shettleston Harriers. He was a true gentleman and is missed by everyone who knew him.
Adrian Callan Memorial Race Results
| Pos | Athlete | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zoe Roberts | Shettleston Harriers | 2:14.96 |
| 2 | Emma Nicholson | Giffnock North AC | 2:16.56 |
| 3 | Zoe Baillie | East Kilbride AC | 2:16.70 |
| 4 | Gabi Whyte | Perth Strathtay Harriers | 2:17.55 |
| 5 | Ailish de Luca Ruane | Edinburgh AC | 2:19.00 |
| 6 | Florence Skinner | Garscube Harriers | 2:20.85 |
| 7 | Eve Cameron | Giffnock North AC | 2:21.87 |
| 8 | Rowan Campbell | North Uist Amateur Athletics | 2:22.11 |
Many thanks to Protay, who organised the entries and results for the club.
Results
Night 2 Results:
Shettleston Open Graded 2 Results
A huge thank you once again to everyone who helped make the two Open Graded Meetings such a success, particularly our officials, volunteers, athletes, supporters and everyone involved behind the scenes.
