Scottish Senior Track and Field Championships
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August
Ayrshire Athletics Arena, Kilmarnock
There was a wet and windy west-coast welcome for those who travelled to the Scottish Senior Championships in Kilmarnock on the weekend of August 16th and 17th. Three Tynedale Harriers made the short journey northwards to the newly opened Ayrshire Athletics Arena. Lea Stephenson is a regular at this event and has been a finalist in the past over 400m and he was joined by Adam Pratt and Jonny Currie both contesting the 800m. They joined the cream of Scotland’s track and field talent including many who had worn the blue and white of their home nation in the recent Commonwealth Games.
Sadly both Lea and Adam were eliminated in Saturday’s tough qualifying heats. Lea was unlucky to miss out on a spot in the eight man final by little more than a quarter of a second whilst Adam was below his good form of a few weeks ago and found the driving rain ill-suited to his running style.
Jonny however, was in his element and took the initiative in the third of three heats to secure a coveted place in the next day’s final against older and stronger opposition. Lining up in lane one, the Wylam 18-year-old showed a confidence and commitment that belied his youth and defied the gusting winds. He held the lead from the 200m mark and a strong kick at the bell saw him hold this until entering the home straight where he faded a little to finish a still highly respectable 6th.
