Central young athletes shine in difficult conditions

Jun 20 2012 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

THREE Central AC athletes travelled to the English U20 and U23 championships and world junior trials at Bedford.

Tactical races were the order of the day as strong winds put paid to fast times in the distance races.

Dunblane’s Andrew Butchart missed out on the final of the U23 1500m, finishing fifth in his heat in 4:2.15.

Newly crowned Scottish 5000m champion Alex Hendry finished sixth in the U23 race in 15:10.58.

Tom Watson from Fintry was fifth in his heat of the U20 800m in 1:56.47 but tripped in the final.

Lewis Millar helped Scotland finish second to England at the Karrimor Great Trial Challenge at Keswick on Sunday. Lewis finished in tenth place in 33:58 for the challenging 10km trail race.

Jennifer Emsley chalked up two 10K victories, taking the Kirkintilloch 10K on Thursday night in 37:12 then lowering her personal best to 35:52 in the Orchill event at Gleneagles on Sunday. Alex Milne was first veteran at Gleneagles in 36:10.

Central’s youngsters were competing in division one of the Young Athletes League at Grangemouth on Sunday and finished third overall, their best result of recent times.

Winning A string athletes were Jack Kerr in the U15 1500m (35.21s), Tom Chandler in the U15 80m hurdles (12.19s) and high jump (1.60m), Sarah Pearson in the U15 75m hurdles (11.95s) and Mark Guthrie in the U17 shot (12.05m).