Scots ready for another Lough affair
GREAT BRITAIN stars Guy Learmonth, Allan Smith and Kirsten McAslan are to spearhead Scotland’s team at the Loughborough International meeting on May 21.
The squad, which will compete against England, GB Juniors and the host university at the annual event, also includes UK indoor 800m medallist Mhairi Hendry, sprint prospect Alisha Rees and 1500m hope Jemma Reekie.
Head coach Rodger Harkins has called on his hopefuls to use the trip to lay down an early marker for the summer season and selection for next year’s Commonwealth Games.
He said: “The Loughborough International is one of those events deemed at the right level for Commonwealth Games standards to be achieved towards selection for Gold Coast 2018.
“As always with the timing of the Loughborough meeting it is an early-season event. But it is still a proper opportunity to try and get those standards and it provides a good level of competition.
“We accept that we may lose some of the athletes named to the likes of the GB and NI Juniors team.
“We already know of two or three who have been picked by Loughborough Uni. It happens regularly and we have to look at it as a compliment and a boost for those athletes.”
Learmonth runs in the 4x400m, Smith in the 3000m steeplechase and McAslan in the women’s 4x400m.
RACING’S TOP GUIDE