Paper.. Jemma can’t cope with Merseyside mud
Kilbarchan AAC athlete Jemma Reekie swapped her clean track shoes for a pair of muddy trainers for a weekend cross country competition.
The Habbie raced to a tenth place finish in the Liverpool XC event but was disappointed with her overall performance.
Reekie found the testing conditions at Sefton Park in Merseyside hard going but was pleased about her change of scenery.
Following the race she Tweeted: “My track legs didn’t like today’s cross country conditions it’s fair to say, a good work out towards track. Excited to head to South Africa now and get some good work done ahead of indoors.”
She says that taking part in these types of races helps improve her skills for track racing.
“I might say I hate cross country but I’m making improvements every year sometimes you forget it takes baby steps. I am only 19 and still learning. It makes me stronger for the track. I’m not done with you yet, there’s always room for improvement,” she added.
Harriet Knowles-Jones from Warrington AC beat off strong competition from Khahisa Mhlanga and Cari Hughes to win the women’s under-20 race.
The 19- year- old has made a spectacular breakthrough onto the international scene. She won two gold medals at the European Indoor Championships in January before topping the podium again with a win in the 1500m at the European under-20 championships in July, an event she looked extremely unlikely to even qualify for after taking ill during her preparations.
As a result of her success, Jemma, who trains alongside European Indoor senior champion Laura Muir, has been named as a finalist for the Young Sports Personality of the Year award at the 2017 Sunday Mail sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards on December 7.
She now prepares to to jet off to South Africa for winter training ahead of the indoor season.
Fellow Habbie youngster Jack Patton was the bestplaced Scot in the under-15 race, with a fantastic 11th place finish in Liverpool.