Ollie MacDonald swapped the American college track and field scene in Tennessee for a Friday night out in Glasgow – and could not have been happier.
The Giffnock North AC athlete crossed the Atlantic through Tuesday into Wednesday and barely 60 hours after arrival he broke the Scottish U20 Record for 3000m.
Ollie’s 7:59.14 run was the highlight of a fine evening’s track action at the GAA Miler Meet and Scottish Champs for 3000m for U20 and U18 athletes.
He landed a World Juniors qualifying standard, too, and topped off his night by landing the full £400 prize pot from the generous GAA.
‘I came off the plane on Wednesday morning and I am very happy with that run,’ he said.
‘Two strong pacemakers helped put me and I had to work hard over the last kilometre on my own.
‘I slipped off the pace very slightly but pulled it back on the last lap. It was good to see 7:59 come up on the clock.’
Giffnock team-mate Alasdair Maclean took U20 silver in 8:25.25 and bronze went to Andrew McWilliam of Lasswade AAC at 8:25.46.
The U18 title went to Alistair Street with the Kilbarchan AAC athlete on a great run of form in 2026. Victory at Greenock in the Lindsays Young Athletes Road races was followed by third at the London Mini Marathon.
Alistair won U18 gold here in 8:18.88 with silver for Louie Muir of Giffnock in 8:35.42. Our bronze medallist was Angus Fraser-Moodie of Springburn in 8:37.87.
Alice Mourao celebrated a fine 3000m double at U20 level at Crownpoint.
The Corstorphine AAC athlete had won indoors over the distance and added the outdoor title with a strong run.
Alice clocked a PB of 9:49.21 to win from fellow U20 medallists Isabella Ogg (Falkirk Vics), who took silver at 9:59.84, and Natsai Nyabadza (Harmeny AC) at 10:12.78.
The top five in that race all ran PB performances and second placed Nancy Corrie (Harmeny AC) was our U18 champion with PB run of 9:56.62.
Emily Taylor of Aberdeen AAC took the silver at 10:06.39. Completing the U18 Women’s podium was Holly Simpson (Giffnock North) at 10:22.53.
‘I was pleased with the run and stuck close to the pace-maker,’ said Alice.
‘He (Fraser Stewart) really helped me tonight. My coach is David Arnott and he works us hard but it is paying off.He is always there with advice and is a great coach.
Shettleston Harriers youngster Zoe Roberts set a new Scottish U16 Record with 2:09.61 with her 800m race victory.
Central AC’s Josh Scott just headed Jordan Phillips in an exciting race to be top men’s 800m performer at 1:50.71 for his PB.
Ben Sandilands celebrated being picked for the Commonwealth Games on the Crownpoint track with a photo shoot for Para athletes. He returned for Friday night athletics and took a race win with 8:39.94 PB run.
In the same race, Stefanie Tucker of Cambuslang posted the best Women’s 3000m performance of the night with 9:16.37 (just missing the GAA prixe pot at (:15). Grace Whelan clocked a PB of 9:29.62.
There was a Wheelchair/Frame Runners race to start the programme and good to World Champs medallist Finlay Menzies clock a big PB. The Frame Runner (Corstorphine AAC) clocked 2:38.16.
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Tags:
Crownpoint, GAA Miler Meet