Muir to help Scots defend Stewart Cup in Edinburgh

Scottish Athlete of the Year Laura Muir has been pre-selected for the Scotland A team who will defend the Stewart Cup in the international 4x1km relay at Holyrood Park on January 7.

It forms part of the Great Edinburgh Cross-Country event which serves as the ideal start to 2017 for the athletics public in Scotland, with a number of races and coverage on BBC Scotland.

Like last January, Scotland will field two teams in the international 4 x 1km relay.

Scotland beat teams from USA, England and Europe to win it 10 months ago thanks to the efforts of Milnathort runner Laura, Steph Twell, Cameron Boyek and Jake Wightman.

Scottish Athletics chief executive Mark Munro said: “The 4x1km relay was a great addition to the Holyrood Park spectacle and the crowds loved seeing Laura Muir bring it home on the final leg for Scotland A.

“We’re delighted that our Athlete of the Year is now pre-selected for Scotland A to defend the Stewart Cup and I’m sure a spell in South Africa over the next month or so will help her preparation.

“We will announce further selections in due course and it is very pleasing that, with the assistance of Great Run, we’re able to field a Scotland A and a Scotland B team.

“That will give eight athletes in total experience and exposure to a big televised cross country event taking place in Scotland and I feel that’s very beneficial and important.”