Nikki Manson on way to big leap in the Women’s Long Jump at Linwood (photo by Bobby Gavin)
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It is often the nature of Scottish athletics – the sport, not the governing body – that good performances, inspiration and feelgood factors don’t always all occur on the same day at the same venue.
Saturday kind of felt that way at the 4J National Opener with the event geared to give early season opportunity to Senior, U20 and U18 athletes as the Districts moves to younger age groups.
But just walking into the Linwood venue felt appropriate as overnight news from America included a Kilbarchan AAC club record from Oliver Patton for men’s 1500m
Oliver clocked 3:38.1 but almost all of his career has been honed in the Linwood track that hosted the National Opener.
Others starring in the United States currently like Brodie Young, Rebecca Grieve and Jamie Phillips followed a very similar route on our event pathway and were no strangers to District events in May.
In Belfast, there was a stunning 7:43 run for 3000m by Henry McLuckie that is second best all-time on the Scottish Men’s list.
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Brodie’s 45.24 is third best all-time Scottish Men 400m and a Glasgow 2026 and European Champs qualifying standard. Rebecca’s latest 51.78 is eighth best all-time Scottish Women 400m. Jamie’s 1:45.61 PB is a Glasgow 2026 qualifying standard.
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Photo by Bobby Gavin
New Mexico duo Brodie and Rebecca look contenders for a possible Team Scotland Mixed 4x400m Relay at Glasgow 2026.
So, looking ahead, it’s only right we (the governing body) introduced this as a championship event for clubs at Linwood.
A pilot last year allowed pals to ru together in teams of more than one club but clearly for a championship the teams featured athletes from the same club.
If the turnout rate didn’t quite match the entry then Central AC cannot be faulted for taking the win and laying down a marker for future editions. Well done to the quartet of Josh Scott, Niamh McKinlay, Jonathan Marshall and Rowan Clevely with 3:42.44.
Shortly prior to that the action in the sandpit featured an excellent long jump performance by Nikki Manson.
The Giffnock North AC athlete leapt to an outdoor pB of6.36m and not far adrift of the Native Record (held by Myra Nimmo at 6.43m). Nikki also had a 6.34m jump with the Loughborough International her next competition.
In the 100m sprints, Shettleston’s Gkontouin Imante was fastest in the Men’s division with 10.90 seconds; Emma Clark led home the women at 11.97.
Sophie Robertson went beyond 60m in the Hammer with 60.37m while Josh Scott led the Men’s 800m with 1:53.59.
Good to see Para athletes involved at Linwood after the exciting news earlier this week around the Team Scotland cohort for Glasgow 2026 with eight selections.
Frame Runner Finlay Menzies, a medallist at the World Para Champs last summer, clocked 16.42 to win the 100m with PB performances from Gavin Drysdale and Hannah Dines.
Cara Murphy had a run with guide runner support and there were seated throws, too.
Photos by Bobby Gavin
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Tags:
4J National Opener, Linwood, Nikki Manson