In the early 1950s, Pitreavie Playing fields was a popular training ground for local athletes, both amateur and professional. Mr Ord Cunningham, Chairman of the Dunfermline Carnegie Trust, was interested in athletics and was the prime mover in persuading the Trust to construct a cinder track. This track was completed in 1953 and officially opened in 1954 when the Scottish Schoolgirls’ Championships were held.
Encouraged by the Dunfermline Carnegie Trust, Carnegie AAC was formed in 1954 to promote the sport and make use of the new track however the club was short lived. Early in 1956 the Trust wanted to revive interest amongst local enthusiasts, however offered support without taking on the ownership of organisation. Jeff Seabrook and Claude Foley took up the challenge and at a meeting in September 1956 in the main pavilion at Pitreavie playing fields the name Pitreavie Amateur Athletic Club was proposed and agreed. Jeff was elected President with Claude taking on the Secretary`s role.
In 1983 (During the jogging boom in the 1980`s), John Macdonald and Andy Christie started a jogging section which has evolved into a more formal Road Running section (although members had been taking part in road competition since the club was formed).
In 1990 sponsorship by the operators of the Rosyth Royal Dockyard was obtained and to reflect that the sponsor`s name, Babcock-Thorn and later just Babcock was incorporated into the club`s name until the sponsorship ended.
1997, after four years of hard work along with the aid of various grants a substantial clubhouse was completed. The clubhouse has its own gym, café and changing rooms.
The club competes in a variety of leagues with competition available for Under 11s all the way up to Senior level.
In former years the Senior Men’s team had a lot of success and was League Division One Champions in 1992, 1999 and 2000.
In 2006 the club celebrated its 50th Birthday with a variety of events including an Inter Club Trophy Meeting, special medals at the Forth Road Bridge 10K and the Young Athletes’ Trophy Meeting and a Celebratory 50th Dinner. At the Dinner Club President Dave McQueen welcomed invited guests and members from present and past.
Athletes from the club have competed in four continents of the world - South America has missed out. Club records have been set in countries such as Jamaica, USA, Canada, Japan, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Malta, Italy, Holland, Germany, France, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, England and Scotland. An altitude record was also set by two athletes who ran a half-marathon 15,000ft up Mount Everest.
On the world stage of athletics, club members have competed at the highest level. Three members have competed at the Olympic Games - Linsey McDonald (1980), Ian Mackie (1996 and 2000) and Eilidh Child (2102). Linsey won a Bronze medal in the 4x400m relay and Ian reached the 100m semi-finals (1996), and relay selection in 2000. Eilidh reached the 400m hurdles semi-finals and was part of the 4x400 relay team.
We like to think we put a lot into Scottish Athletics by taking in children as young as nine year old at one end and turning out Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes at the other end. The club has a wealth of experienced coaches in a variety of disciplines who offer encouragement and support to athletes of all ages and abilities.
