The Scottish Relays were split this year with the 4x100 and 3x800 events being held  at Pitreavie as part of the Scottish Masters and the 4x300/4x400 taking part today at Grangemouth during the Multis.

Today we had a 4x300 U17 Women's team and a 4x400 Men's team at Grangemouth with both teams bringing home a gold medal! Well done to both teams:

Earlier last month the teams were finalised and in the morning the following athletes were entered in the 3x800 races:

The Under 13 girls ran a great heat and were up against stiff competition, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. Both Under Boys teams ran well with the A team progressing to the final where they won silver. We watched some great running from all out younger athletes so well done to them all.

Both Under 15s teams made the final and a special mention goes to Dylan who, due to a last minute injury with Alex, was pulled into the team 30min before the race took place. Luckily he was on his way to training and we had a spare vest for him. Thanks Dylan! The Under 15s boys team looked particularly confortable in their heat, but with some of the bigger clubs using reserves in the final race they had fresh legs to bring them home ahead of Pitreavie who came 4th. The girls team also did well to make the final.

The Under 17 men were also up against some cracking teams and missed out on a place in the final. Unfortunately there is a big lack of Under 17 and Under 20/Senior female distance runners in the club at the moment so we couldn’t enter female teams in these age groups.

The Senior men had a real battle on their hands and the lead changed throughout the race, all three ran superb and the team came over the line third to secure them a bronze medal.

In the afternoon it was the turn of the club’s sprinters in the 4x100 and we entered the following teams:

All teams were given a good chance to practice the week before so thanks to Francis Smith, Paul Allan, Arthur Gray and Steve Thompson for making the time to help. It was much appreciated by both the Team Managers and the athletes themselves, especially those who haven’t had much exposure to relays.

In the Under 13 girls both teams ran well in the heats with the A team progressing to the final. The girls ran another blinding race in the final and I’ve never seen a team looking so happy even though they just missed out on a medal, you could tell they knew they had given their all and were proud of their efforts. With three of the team being first year under 13, I think they’ll be ones to watch next year! The Under 13 boys also ran well however didn’t make it to the final.

Some of the Under 15 boys were relatively inexperienced when it comes to relays, however thanks to a good practice the previous week they ran well and made the final along with the Under 15 girls A team.

In the older age groups we didn’t have quite as much success, with both the Under 17 boys and Senior women being disqualified. More relay practice required! The Under 17 girls also just missed out on a qualifying time for the final.

In the finals all teams ran as well as their heats with the Under 15 girls claiming a well deserved bronze medal to make a total of three medals for the club.

For read the report in the Dunfermline Press see: http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/sport/athletics/articles/2014/06/21/502081-medals-for-pitreavie-aac-relay-teams/

Moving forward, it would be great to somehow incorporate relay practice into training for athletes on a regular basis, perhaps one for the coaches to discuss…

Written by Nicola Moriarty