Great start from Ross
Swim champ inspires runners
Scots swim champ Ross Murdoch went to great lengths to inspire runners in the Mulberry Bush Montessori Balfron 10k at the weekend.
The University of Stirling student, who will be part of the GB swim team at the Rio Olympics this summer, offered up words of wisdom to the 570 runners before firing the starting gun at the 10th anniversary event on Sunday.
The former Balfron High School pupil and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner wished competitors good luck and urged them to dig deep as they crossed the start line cheered on by spectators.
Ross, 22, who will compete in the 100m breaststroke event in Rio, said he was very happy to get the news last Thursday that he had made the GB swim team after months of tough training.
He will head out to Brazil in July for a month and could find himself swimming on the first day of the Games.
He’s confident o f performing well, declaring he was “in the best shape of his life” right now.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the running of the MBM Balfron 10k competitors were presented with commemorative porcelain medals at the finish made by Buchlyvie potter Alison Borthwick.
Race director Colin Mendham, who is stepping down after 10 years at the helm, was presented with his very own giant medal in recognition of his efforts. He told the crowd he’d enjoyed “10 fabulous years and had 10 fabulous experiences”.
Spectators enjoyed mini games set up by Balfron High School pupils and art activities organised by the village’s FAB ARTS group.
Funds raised by the 10k will be split between the village’s schools and Stirlingshire mental health charity Action in Mind.