ATHLETICS
Final year Glasgow University vet medicine student Laura Muir came off night shift at the Equine Hospital to capture her fourth Lindsays Scottish 4k Cross Country title in five years at sunny Kirkcaldy High School yesterday.
In her first race since the World Track Championships in London last August, Muir looked full of running and refused to admit that her strict work and study regime might affect her performance.
“I worked Thursday night, but I rested all day Friday,” said the 24-year-old Milnathort star, who has opted to give the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia next April a miss in order to concentrate on her exams.
Muir’s coach Andy Young was certainly impressed: “She’s just come off a 70-hour work shift,” he said.
Almost 100 metres ahead of Steph Pennycook after the first of two laps of a soggy, grassy course Muir eventually finished almost a minute clear of her Kirkcaldy-reared Edinburgh University rival in 12.53, with Pennycook timed at 13.47.
Former winner Morag MacLarty (Central), who was fourth behind Glasgow’s Jo Multrie after the first lap, came with a late run to pick up the bronze and almost catch Pennycook in 13.50.
Another Glasgow University runner coached by Andy Young was a surprise medallist in the men’s race, Fortrose Academy FP Sol Sweeney picking up the bronze, with victory going to Central’s Cameron Boyek.