Andrew impresses in Euro debut

Central Athletic Club’s Andrew Butchart made an impressive debut in his first GB senior track and field event at the European 10,000m Cup in Italy at the weekend.

He came home in a time of 29mins 32.43secs to finish 12th against the best in Europe.

Andrew will be off on his travels again soon as he has been selected to compete for GB over 3000 metres at the European Team Championships in Russia later this month.

Ross Houston is another Central athlete reaching for his passport as he has been selected for GB at the World 100 Kilometres Championships in Holland in September.

Ross steps up for his first world championship appearance in a GB vest after he made a superb ultrarunning international debut in the Anglo- Celtic Plate, winning the event with the third fastest time ever by a Scot for the distance.

Friday evening saw a number of Central’s athletes compete in the Glasgow Athletic Association’s Miler Meet at Hutcheson’s Grammar School, an event which included the Scottish Under 17 3000metre Championships.

Kate Gallagher took gold with the biggest personal best of the night - 9min 53.85secs, and finished third overall in a classy senior field.

Alastair Hay made light of the windy conditions to win the senior mens 3000 metres (8:22.79), with Scott McDonald fourth in 8:35.37.

Jamie Crowe, Bradley Scott, Aidan Cameron and Kenny Hislop also ran.

In the 800 metres races, Under 20 athlete Iain Davies broke through the twominute barrier for the first time outdoors to record an excellent 1:59.03.

Scott McDonald moved on to Saturday’s Gargunnock Hill Race where he lifted the David Hay Memorial Trophy, while Jamie Crowe also showed great form to finish eighth overall and first junior in the Glas Tulaichan Uphill Race at Spittal of Glenshee.

Lindsay Morrison enjoyed a clean sweep in the Polaroid Eyewear Road 10K Road Race Series winning the final event at Vale of Leven in 36min 07secs.