Tag: athletics

Game On: Edinburgh young athletes shine as SprintFastest brings Scotland’s rising sprint stars together

Young athletes from across Edinburgh were among the biggest contingent at last weekend’s SprintFastest All-Star Indoor Championships, with 25 athletes representing the City of Edinburgh Council area.

The Edinburgh contingent, drawn mainly from Edinburgh AC and Harmeny AC, included rising sprint talents Aoiffion McVittie-Brangan and Reeva Grant, who joined more than 180 young athletes from across Scotland at the Glasgow International Arena.

Funded through a £20 million Scottish Government investment and supported by sportscotland as part of the national Summer of Sport 2026 initiative, the event followed the inaugural SprintFastest, which was held at Grangemouth Stadium in March.

Thanks to summer of sport funding, the indoor championships were bigger and better attracting more than 180 young athletes from across the country.

SprintFastest is recognised for its commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and strengthening pathways into athletics for young people across the country and to provide a platform for Scotland’s rising sprint stars.

Founder of SprintFastest, Dr Enoch Adeyemi, set out to create an accessible youth athletics event to bring families and young people together. He said: “At SprintFastest, we believe every young person deserves the chance to shine.

“This event is about much more than racing. It’s about creating opportunities, building confidence and showing young people what they can achieve when they are given the right platform.

“Thanks to sportscotland’s Summer of Sport funding, we’ve been able to bring together some of Scotland’s most talented young athletes while making the experience accessible, welcoming and inspiring for families from across the country.”

The talented field included boys and girls across five age categories, drawn from 24 local authority areas of Scotland.

Minister for Community Care Alison Thewliss MSP and sportscotland Chair Maureen Campbell attended the event to see first-hand how the young people were benefiting from Summer of Sport investment.

Ms Thewliss MSP, Minister for Community Care said: “The Summer of Sport programme has been a fantastic way to help more children and young people across Scotland discover the joy of being active, while removing some of the barriers that can prevent them from taking part.

“SprintFastest is a brilliant example of this in action, bringing young people together through an exciting and accessible athletics experience. It’s exactly the kind of opportunity we want to see more of, giving young people the chance to try something new, build confidence and hopefully discover a sport they can enjoy for years to come.”

Game On: Creating opportunities for children and young people across Scotland

Since launching in May 2026, the Summer of sport programme has supported local authorities, schools, clubs and sporting bodies to create free and low-cost opportunities for children and young people aged between three to 26 to take part in sport and physical activity.

The campaign, backed by Scottish government investment, as part of a £20 million fund has been administered by sportscotland and was inspired by the landmark summer of international sport, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. 

A wide range of sporting organisations received funding through a competitive application process to sportscotland, including football, cycling, cricket, golf, padel, archery and judo.

Maureen Campbell, Chair of sportscotland, added: “The Summer of Sport programme has shown what can be achieved when we work together to make sport and physical activity more accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for young people across Scotland.

“The response so far has been hugely encouraging, with young people telling us that the programme has helped them become more active and inspired them to do more sport. SprintFastest is a great example of that ambition in action, creating an exciting opportunity for young people to experience athletics, have fun and be inspired by what they can achieve. We’re proud to be supporting opportunities like this as Summer of Sport events continue into the new year.”

Inspiring a new generation to get active and try sport

Interim survey data conducted by sportscotland shows the Summer of Sport is already making a lasting impact, with 75% of children and young people surveyed saying they had become more active as a result of taking part, while 79% said it had made them want to do more sport.

One in four (25%) had already taken up a new sport and one in five (20%) had joined a new club, highlighting the programme’s ability to turn new experiences into continued participation.

The programme is also helping break down barriers to participation, with 28% of young people trying their chosen activity for the first time. Low-cost and local opportunities have been key, with 73% of parents and carers saying being local or easy to reach helped their child participate, while 63% highlighted free access. The experiences have been rated highly, with children and young people giving activities an average score of 4.7 out of 5.

Activities will take place beyond the summer, supporting increased opportunities and participation.

To find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport, visit: sportscotland.org.uk/2026   

PICTURES: Peter Devlin

Saughton Project to Strengthen Clubs and Athletics Provision in West Edinburgh

Major upgrade to protect and enhance athletics facilities

A major improvement project at Saughton Sports Complex will help safeguard athletics provision in west Edinburgh and create a stronger future for local clubs, schools and community users.

Work to resurface the athletics track and upgrade key field facilities, ensuring the venue meets UK Athletics standards,was scheduled to begin yesterday (Monday 8 June). Funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, the investment will support the long-term future of a site that plays a vital role in the city’s athletics network.

Scottish Athletics has identified Edinburgh as one of eight priority regions in its national facilities strategy, underlining the importance of protecting and improving provision in this part of the city.

Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “I am delighted that we are committing major investment into transforming the athletics track and field facilities. Providing these spaces for sport and physical activity is essential for communities in the west of the city.

These upgrades will create lasting benefits for local athletes, athletics clubs, schools, and residents who rely on the venue. The project will also encourage wider participation and give more residents an opportunity to enjoy the physical, social and wellbeing benefits that being active can bring.”

Cathy Findlay, Edinburgh Leisure Sports Pitch Manager, said:“This project is vital for athletics in west Edinburgh. By improving the track and key field facilities, we are protecting an important base for local clubs, supporting athlete development at all levels, and creating more inclusive opportunities to take part.

“These improvements will help ensure Saughton continues to serve local people well for years to come.”

For Saughton’s two core athletics clubs, Corstorphine AAC and Harmeny AC, the project will secure access to a high-quality local training and competition base. Supporting around 775 athletes and delivering approximately 50 hours of activity each week, the clubs make Saughton a key part of the development pathway for athletes of all ages and abilities.

The improvements will also help clubs retain members, support growth and strengthen the venue’s ability to host accredited regional competitions.

David Arnott, President of Corstorphine AAC, said: “Saughton is entering a really positive new phase.

“Edinburgh Leisure has a clear commitment to improving the track and facilities in ways that will make a real difference to the people who use them. It feels like we are now moving forward together, and that gives us real confidence for the future.”

Craig Stewart, Board Member at Harmeny AC, said: “This investment in athletics facilities gives Harmeny AC the certainty to move forward with plans to upgrade our own equipment and facilities, as well as invest in our coaching team.

“In turn, this will allow us to welcome more young athletes to training and help reduce our waiting list.”

The project will also strengthen the inclusive reach of athletics, supporting the ongoing work of both clubs to widen participation and create welcoming environments for people from a broad range of backgrounds and abilities.

Through initiatives such as Scottish Athletics’ Club Together programme, the clubs support underrepresented groups, including people moving from inactivity into sport, disabled athletes, refugees and those living in areas of socio-economic disadvantage—helping to create accessible pathways into athletics.

Saughton’s location further enhances its role as a community hub, with strong transport links making it easily accessible to a large and diverse local population.

Overall, the project will help protect a valued athletics venue, strengthen local clubs and widen opportunities for people across Edinburgh to take part in the sport.

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to helping people lead more active, healthy lives. With 75 sport, leisure and school venues across the city, it creates opportunities for everyone to get active and stay active.

Scots Paralympians congratulated

First Minister: athletes at the top of their fields inspirational

As the 2024 Paralympic Games draws to a close, First Minister John Swinney has commended Scottish athletes for their world-class performances which will inspire future generations.

21 Scottish athletes took part individually or in team events, securing 11 gold medals, eight silver medals and one bronze medal – contributing to ParalympicsGB’s overall medals tally of 124 medals.

Athletes from Scotland broke records in pursuit of gold medals, including Stephen Clegg’s record-breaking S12 backstroke time, Jenny Holl’s effort as pilot for Sophie Unwin on her way to gold and a world record in the Women’s B 3,000m individual cycling pursuit, and Sammi Kinghorn achieving a gold medal while setting a new Paralympic Record for the Women’s T53 100m.

The First Minister said: “I want to pay tribute to and congratulate all of the ParalympicsGB squad, including the 21 Scots on the team, for your performances in Paris.

“You are all athletes at the top of your field, and Scotland has been cheering you on throughout these Games.

“Your performances will inspire people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to take up sport, achieve their own goals and become more active in their own lives. The next generation will be inspired by where you are now, and the Scottish Government and partners will work to ensure there will be opportunities for them to follow suit.”

Forbes Dunlop, CEO of sportscotland, said: “On behalf of everyone at sportscotland I want to congratulate every single one of the Scottish athletes who have represented Paralympics GB in Paris over the last couple of weeks.

“There have been some extremely strong performances from our athletes, including personal bests, Paralympic and World records and a very impressive haul of medals, demonstrating the enormous level of commitment and talent across the team. 

“All of this success is down to years of hard work from the athletes, their coaches and their wider support teams including Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport and the sportscotland institute of sport and we are proud to be part of the ‘team behind team’ supporting the athletes.”

Gavin Macleod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, said: “Congratulations to all the Scottish Paralympians and their significant support networks in Paris.

“The performances are testimony to the inclusive approach Scottish Governing Bodies of sport are taking to ensuring para-athletes are supported.

“Not all of us will be able to reach the heights of these international high-performance athletes however, what we can do is commit to working in partnership to ensure that children, young people and adults can access quality PE, comprehensive sporting opportunities and the chance to move more every day.” 

Edinburgh University student wins U20 Scottish Athletics National XC Championships

Matthew Knowles, a running enthusiast from Edinburgh University, saw off tough competition at the weekend to win the men’s U20 Scottish Athletics National Cross-Country Championships.

Knowles, 19 who also works part-time at the specialist running shop, Up & Running is no stranger to gruelling races, having previously represented England and GB at a number of under 20 mountain running events.

Matthew also helps to lead a free weekly social run group from Up & Running, aimed at encouraging local runners of all abilities.

PICTURE: Bobby Gavin

Eilish McColgan launches scheme to support upcoming athletes

A three times Olympic athlete has hit the ground running in a bid to support fellow Scottish sportswomen.

Record breaking British and European middle and long-distance runner Eilish McColgan has a string of records under her belt – and this month (June 2022) broke her mother Liz’s Scottish record to win a 10,000m race in the Netherlands with a time of 30 minutes 19.02 seconds.

And now she hopes to give others a helping hand to boost their own sporting careers.

Thirty-one-year-old Eilish and her partner, Olympian Michael Rimmer, 36, have jointly set up Giving Back To Track; a non-profit organisation that aims to inspire women from all walks of life to reach their athletic best.

Not only have they created a fund to provide financial help to female athletes in Scotland, aged between 16 and 22, but they have also launched a community scheme that supports Eilish’s local club, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers.

Giving Back to Track was formed just six weeks ago after what Eilish described as a “brainstorm” moment earlier this year. “I realised how incredibly lucky I’ve been to have support and sponsorship and now that I’m a little more comfortable I wanted to give something back,” she said.

“I know how hard it is to get started in this career, so we thought we’d put a call out to ask other female athletes in Scotland if we could help – they don’t need to be runners, they can be from any disciplines within running or track and field.

Giving Back to Track has already awarded six £1000 bursaries along with sports clothing from sponsors and career guideline advice from Eilish and Michael.

Eilish, whose mother Liz McColgan won the 10,000m world title in 1991, said initially the scheme will focus on her local club Dundee Hawkhill Harriers and will support young women and children from the community.

“No child should be priced out of a sport,” she said. “There are so many costs involved; the cost of track facilities, buying training kits, transportation and paying for club fees and this is where we are able to help”.

If the scheme runs smoothly, Eilish and Michael hope to extend the sponsorship more widely: “We’re really just at the starting point – we’d actually love to grow it to include guys as well and not just in Scotland but in England, Wales and Ireland,” she said.

Last month (May 2022) Eilish claimed the European and British 10km road race at the Great Manchester Run, shaving two seconds from Paula Radcliffe’s unbeaten 19-year record, with a time of 30 minutes and 19 seconds.

Team GB medalist joins capital Cancer Charity at the starting line on World Cancer Research Day

Team GB 1500m runner Josh Kerr has joined Worldwide Cancer Research at the ‘starting line’ to help highlight how discovery research can lead to life-saving advances. 

Josh, who returned from the United States to his hometown of Edinburgh this week, took time out of his schedule yesterday to back the charity’s World Cancer Research Day drive, sharing his hope that continued investment in science will help those affected by cancer.   

Edinburgh-based charity Worldwide Cancer Research aims to end cancer by starting new cures across the world – and has funded over £200m of pioneering discovery research in over 30 countries to help with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The charity is currently funding 70 active research projects – charting numerous breakthroughs, including research which resulted in a clinical trial that will aim to repurpose a psychiatric drug available on the NHS as a preventative treatment for bowel cancer.

Josh said: “With the average cancer research project taking around 20 years, it’s definitely a marathon not a sprint. But without that important first step in the research process, there can be no end to cancer. 

“That’s why I’m joining Worldwide Cancer Research at the starting line today and would encourage others to get involved too.”

Josh clocked a spectacular new Scottish Record for the 1500m at 3:29.05 when in Tokyo this summer. Next, he wants to make his Commonwealth Games debut for Team Scotland at Birmingham 2022.”

Josh continued: “The start is such an important part of running; from mindset, the stance, and timing. The same goes to cancer research.

“Without charities like Worldwide Cancer Research believing in scientists all over the world and backing their bold new ideas, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Survival rates have doubled, but still 1 in 2 of us will get cancer. We can do better.”

Dr Helen Rippon, Chief Executive, Worldwide Cancer Research said: “World Cancer Research Day is a chance for us to shine a light on the incredible global effort to drive forward advancements that will change, and ultimately, save lives.”

“We are so grateful to Josh for joining us at the starting line today. Without the all-important start of first-stage research, there can be no end to cancer. That’s why we won’t stop until cancer does.”

Since it was established in 1979, the Edinburgh-based charity has funded over £200million of research in over 30 countries to start new cancer cures.

For more information about Worldwide Cancer Research or to find out how you can help start new cancer cures, please visit: 

https://www.worldwidecancerresearch.org/support-us/donate/

Marjory Cook

Old friends from Craigroyston and the world of running will be deeply saddened by the death of Marjory Cook.

Marjory was a long-standing member, and former Welfare Officer, of Edinburgh AC and a hugely committed athletics official. Without people like Marjory our sport simply couldn’t operate.

She was also, in my younger days, while teaching at Craigroyston, the Head Cook there. She was indeed Mrs Cook the cook and she brought the same warm, encouraging, smiling approach to her work at Craigie as she did to athletics.

Her death has come as a great shock. I was with her (at a Zoom meeting) on Wednesday evening.She’ll be hugely missed by all who knew her.

Alex Wood

Sport in the sun at Spartans

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More than 250 children from six local primary schools descended on Ainslie Park yesterday for Spartans School Sports Day.

Pupils from Blackhall, Craigroyston, Flora Stevenson’s, Forthview, Pirniehall and St David’s took the opportunity to take part in a range of sports – from triathlon, boxing and mountain bike relays to judo, fencing and football.

The sun shone, the day was a great success and the happy kids all left Spartans with a medal!

Spartans Community Football Academy youth worker Jamie Tomkinson, who organised the sporting festival, said: “It was good to see so many children enjoying the different activities and having fun. Many of them were trying out some of these sports for the first time and it was great to see their energy and enthusiasm.”

Big events like this take a lot of organising, and among those involved in making the Sports Day such a success were Edinburgh Leisure, Spartans CFA volunteers, Edinburgh Judo, Nike volunteers, FetLor, Granton Youth Centre, MY Adventure, Fencing Fun’s Keith Cook and Kabo.

Some pictures:

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More pictures of the Sports Day on our Facebook Page

 

May date set for Spartans’ sports day

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Hundreds of local primary school children will be taking part in a major sports event being organised by Spartans Community Football Academy Event at Ainslie Park in May.

SCFA Youth and Community Worker Jamie Tomkinson said: “The Spartans Community Football Academy Sports Day will be held on the 20th of May. Eight local primary schools are involved – we reckon that will be around 350 P7s over the course of the day!”

Twelve different sporting activities will be delivered by local agencies on the day: Kabo boxing, Edinburgh Judo, Edinburgh Leisure, Fet-Lor, Granton Youth Centre and MY Adventure will all be supporting the programme – and Keith Cook, who is a five-time Commonwealth Games medallist, will share his fencing skills. NEN, North Edinburgh’s community newspaper, has been invited to cover the event.

“Lorna Cruikshank, one of our young volunteers, will deliver a hockey station and we have a local samba band coming along to create an atmosphere and do a show for the opening ceremony!” Jamie added. “Many organisations have come on board to support the day – Ainslie Park Leisure Centre are letting us use one lane of their pool for the triathlon and Nike, who were a major part of last year’s success, will be volunteering throughout the event.

“There’s a lot of organising to be done and we are putting the finishing touches to the programme but the Sports Day is going to be a lot of fun – we’re all really looking forward to it and I’m sure the P7s are too!”