Run for your health
Sporting champ’s sound advice to high school pupils
Dunblane Olympian Andrew Butchart made his way to Stirling High School this week in a bid to inspire the next generation of runners.
As the build-up to this summer’s inaugural Stirling Scottish Marathon continues, the middledistance runner spoke to dozens of pupils about his career in athletics to-date while encouraging them to get their running shoes on.
Youngsters at the school are currently taking part in a virtual marathon – where they have been challenged to complete 26-miles over the next four weeks.
And Andrew (25), who finished sixth in the 5000 metres final at last summer’s Rio Olympics and has since run Scottish record times in the 5000 metres and 3000 metres, insists he’s delighted to see more young people getting involved in the sport.
He said: “It was great to visit the school and pass on my advice to the students Andrew Butchart has silverware in his sights as he steps up preparations for this summer’s World Championships in London.
The middle-distance runner, who earlier this year set new Scottish records for the 3000 metres and 5000 metres, has returned home from almost three months of altitude training in Arizona.
After taking the time to chat to Stirling High pupils about life as a professional athlete, he spoke to the Observer about a crucial couple of months in his flourishing career.
Looking ahead to the August championships – the highlight of the year’s athletics calendar – he said: “Things are in good shape at the moment and everything seems to be going well.
“I am improving all the time and I just need to who are taking on this marathon challenge.
“Running is a rewarding sport and is an easy way to get active. I wish the students the best of luck in their challenge and I am looking forward to the Stirling Scottish Marathon coming to the area.”
During an entertaining question and answer session with pupils Andrew was quizzed on his friendship with Mo Farah, life in the Olympic village and his diet during the Rio games – which surprisingly included a lot of pizza.
After spending months training at altitude in Arizona he confessed that he was pleased to be home – and has been pleasantly surprised but the amount of people out make sure I keep that going ahead of the World Championships. I’m setting my targets high.
“I would love to run sub-13 minutes for the 5k and a medal would be great.
“I went off to Arizona around Christmas time for training and everything went well. I was then in Boston for three weeks and I had three races each weekend which was great.
Andrew, who finished in sixth place in the 5000 metres event at last summer’s Rio Olympics, has enjoyed a fine start to 2017 – with a number of good results Stateside.
Last month, the Central AC athlete ran the fastest mile in the world this year – when he clocked a time of 3:54:23 at the Armory pounding the pavements.
He added: “I got back home and there were so many people out running. Before you would maybe see two or three but now there are much more than that.
“I think the marathon is a big reason for that. It seems like it has really become a big thing in the community. I remember being at the launch and it has just gone from strength to strength. To hear that there are around 6500 taking part is amazing. It’s something I hope goes on and on for years.”
On May 21, thousands of runners including former Olympians Liz McColgan and Zola Budd take on a scenic Stirling area route, and Stirling High School teacher Neil Dunro thought it would be good Invitational Mile held in New York.
And, although he found himself back in Scotland for a few days last week, he is wasting no time in kicking on ahead of a busy summer schedule of events.
He added: “Next week I’m away to Flagstaff [Arizona] again for nine more weeks to challenge some of his pupils through the virtual marathon.
The students will log their miles on running app Strava and, in addition, Mr Dunro has set them a number of mini challenges.
He said: “We wanted to create a buzz around the Stirling Marathon and having Andrew here has certainly done that.
“Pupils have been really keen to get involved in this initiative.
“We want to promote a healthy lifestyle and to encourage our young people to push themselves to do something which is different. The question and answer session has inspired them to challenge themselves and see what resilience and hard work can help you achieve in all aspects of your life.”
Also taking place during the morning of the showpiece marathon will be the Great Stirling 5k while the family-friendly Thistles Great Stirling Family Run will take place a day earlier around the picturesque grounds of the University of Stirling.
I wish students the best of luck in their challenge and I am looking forward to the Stirling Scottish Marathon
of altitude training and I’ve got a few races in Doha. After that I’ll have the British Championships events and some Diamond League events in Europe.
“The big thing for me this year is the World Championships though – that’s what I’m working towards.”