Aidan’s US Scholarship:
Scholarship boost to track career
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Aidan Gilbride will jet off to the States next week to begin a fouryear athletics scholarship – after he was head-hunted by two-time European bronze medallist Chris O’Hare.
The 18-year-old, from Lindsayfield, has the Olympics and Commonwealth Games in his sights as he heads to Franklin Pierce University in the state of New Hampshire.
But it would not have been possible without the help of O’Hare, who contacted the middle distance runner via Facebook and encouraged him to follow in his footsteps.
O’Hare, who is currently in Rio representing Britain, won bronze medals in the 1500m European indoor and outdoor championships in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
To reach the top he gave up his life in Scotland and moved to America as a teenager.
And now he has told the East Kilbride Athletic Club ace that he has the potential to be a track star.
Aidan explained: “I got a message from Chris on Facebook and my first reaction was ‘Wow, why is Chris O’Hare contacting me?’.
“It turns out he has a company seeking middle distance runners for scholarships and after seeing me perform at the Scottish Championships last year he thought I would be a good candidate.
“Chris did it himself a while back and now he’s a fully fledged athlete competing in Rio.
“He liked it so much he stayed there and lives in Boston.
“I had never really considered a scholarship before, although I was aware of the opportunities, but when Chris told me he thought I had the potential to make it as a middle distance runner it gave me so much confidence.
“He’d been keeping track of my results and noticed I was in the top three for most of my events in Scotland so that’s why he approached me.
“I told him I was really flattered and I would love to do it.”
The former St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School pupil has secured a full athletics scholarship with Franklin Pierce and leaves on August 19 to study for a degree in history, specialising in modern/European history and the American Civil War.
He will have the opportunity to train and compete almost like a professional athlete in the highly competitive American college NCAA track and field circuit for the next four-and-ahalf years.
The scholarship he has secured is worth in the region of $200,000 and Aidan has earned this with a clutch of national titles and medals, as well as three appearances for Scotland so far.
In the past two seasons he won backto-back U20 800m Scottish Indoor titles and won silver in the 800m outdoor championships.
He also claimed silver in the senior Scottish 800m against older and more experienced athletes.
Now Aidan, who was crowned East Kilbride and South Lanarkshire junior male performer of the year for 2015, is setting his sights on the global stage.
He said: “An athlete’s dream is to make the Olympics and I’m no different.
“I’d like to think this scholarship can be a pathway to that eventually.
“But firstly wearing a GB vest and representing my country is what I’m hoping for.”
With the Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast just two years away, ambitious Aidan admits trying to qualify will be his main focus when he arrives in the Granite State.
He said: “Gold Coast is on the horizon and I will be targeting that.
“To qualify the time is 1.47.00 for the 800m.
“My target when I get to the States is to break 1.50 next year and push on from there. Then I would be close to hitting the standard.
“I love to concentrate on the 800m but if I get to the States and my coach thinks I’d be better served at 1500m then I’m open to that idea.
“I’m looking to improve my 1500m performances. I’ve not spent too much time on it but I still feel I’m very capable at that distance.”
Nine years have passed since Aidan first set foot on the running track at the John Wright Sports Centre.
He is forever grateful for the support he has had during his time in the black and gold vest.
And the hard work and commitment he has shown to East Kilbride Athletic Club was rewarded last week when he was presented with a lifetime membership.
Aidan told the News: “It was a fantastic gesture from the club.
“I’ve been at East Kilbride for a long time and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them.
“When I come home I’ll always be happy to race for them and I’ll always be an EKAC athlete.
“I’d also really like to thank my coach, Jamie Clements, who is fantastic and does so much behind the scenes stuff for me.
“EKAC have been so supportive of me and I want to repay the faith they’ve had in me by working so hard when I’m over in the States.”
Aidan and his family also thanked Zucca Bistro, EK Community Trust, EK Town Centre Community Fund, St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School, EKAC, The Crutherland House Hotel,Marriot Plumbing, Tony Reilly, Steven McKinnon and everyone who helped raise funds towards his scholarship.