Patience pays off for Greenwood with 800m race victory
Ben Greenwood’s impressive season has continued at pace.
The Perth Strathtay Harrier celebrated another special moment in his athletics career over the weekend.
He produced a top performance to be crowned 800m winner at the National Senior Championships at Grangemouth.
Greenwood, whose recent form has been very strong, kicked on down the home straight to claim top spot.
The former Perth Academy student clocked a time of 1:49.08 to finish ahead of second-placed Kane Elliott, who had made a fast start.
“Through my junior years I had a lot of times where everyone let me dictate it,” Greenwood said.
“It was nice to have someone take the race to me.
“I knew if I could get in front with 200m to go and wind it up in the home straight, then I’d be okay. I’ve won indoors before but I’ve not really raced the seniors outdoor.
“I think the last one was 2016 and I was pipped on the line.
“It’s nice to be back as it had been a few years.
“With the form I was in this year, I wanted to come back and finally win a national title.
“And hopefully get a good race out of it. I definitely had that.”
Greenwood has broken 800m and 1500m personal bests across the summer and is simply loving being out on the track.
“It’s been a few years of sticking at it,” he smiled. “This year everything has taken a shift forward and it’s nice to feel like my old self. I’m racing confidently and not having any worries at all - just getting out there and having fun.
“The main difference this year has been getting back in touch with my speed and getting used to racing.
“I spent the first half of the year in much better shape than I’d ever been in before.
“I almost had to re-learn to run the 800m because I had a lot more speed in my legs.
“Once I figured out where I was and how best to race, I saw the times coming down.
“I still feel there is more there. It’s just staying patient and finding the right races.”
Fellow Perth Strathtay Harrier Lois Garland, this week representing Scotland U20s at the Manchester International, also impressed at the National Championships.
The 19-year-old clinched silver in a tightly-contested women’s 200m final with a time of 24:98. Taylah Spence of Orkney AC edged the win in 24:86.
In the 400m under-17 final, Perth’s Lewis Thomson stormed home in third place with a time of 51:77.
And the Harriers’ paraathletes were also in fine form, with Freya Howgate on the podium for her 100m race.