PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Great North Run is a warm-up for Callum
Elderslie distance runner Callum Hawkins will take on the world’s best in Newcastle tomorrow.
The Great North Run will see the Kilbarchan AAC product go head to head with the likes of Sir Mo Farah and Ethiopia’s world marathon silver medallist Tamirat Tola.
The popular event will be broadcast live on BBC One from 9.30am to 1.30pm for those wishing to see Hawkins in action. The race itself is due to begin at 10.40am.
The half marathon is being used by many of the big names in the sport ahead of the World Championships in Doha later this month.
Hawkins was this week selected by Team GB to compete in the marathon in Qatar.
The 27- year- old Olympian was included in a 72-strong team announced by British Athletics for the IAAF’s showpiece event, which starts on September 27 and runs until October 6.
He is joined in the squad by two other Kilbarchan AAC athletes.
Jemma Reekie, 21, will compete in the 1500m and Steph Twell, 30, in the 10,000m much to the delight of the club.
A club spokesperson said: “Congratulations to the three Kilbarchan AAC athletes that have been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Champions in Doha.
“Well deserved to all three who have shown that hard work and determination pays off. Best wishes from everyone at Kilbarchan AAC.”
They make up a quarter of the 12-strong Scottish contingent in the Team GB squad.
British Athletics performance director Neil Black said: “In the 72 athletes, I truly believe we have selected the strongest team possible to compete for medals on the global stage.
“The team is full of world- class athletes who, over the past two years since we were hosts in London, have proven that they belong on the global stage.”
Hawkins was the first British runner to beat British Olympic hero Sir Mo Farah, 34, in any race for seven years at the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country in 2017 and equalled the best performance ever by a British runner by finishing fourth in the men’s marathon at the 2017 World Championships.