We usually work with Scottish Athletics to help stage the 5km road championship each year. The covid situation meant it didnt happen in 2020 but we were able to stage a pilot invitational event with Scottish Athletics on Sunday 29th November at the Fife Cycle Park near Lochgelly, 30 mins north of Edinburgh.
The event was invitational to 30 top men and 30 top women in Scotland. The course was accurately measured by local IAAF standard course measurer Alan Young. The Fife cycle park is a fairly new state of the art facility usually used for local cyclists to train and race. It has an excellent surface and a 2.6km and a 1km loop . In covid times it offers a total secure location for an event. Scottish Athletics secured the permissions from Sport Scotland for the Elite invitational race to take place under strict civic protocols
Anabel Simpson from Fife AC took the women’s race on from the gun and looked strong throughout and come home a clear winner in 16.28. Edinburgh University Hares and Hounds duo Naomi Lang and Rebecca Johnson took the 2nd and 3rd spots in16.44 and 16.51 respectively. Morag Miller, the winner at Silverknowes last May took 4th in 16.53 in her first race since the birth of her daughter in June.
The mens race was enthralling to watch with Internationals Kris Jones, Jamie Crowe and Jonny Glen setting a strong early pace with Jamie Donald, Sean Chalmers , and Joe Arthur also prominent. By the 4th of the 5 laps Crowe and Glen had a short lead on Jones. With around 400 metres to go, Glen made a move and held his small lead to the line to win in 14.06 - 2 seconds ahead of Crowe with Kris Jones in third with 14.10. 27 of the 29 finishers broke the 15 minute barrier.
Huge thanks to our friends and volunteers for helping to make the event a success and providing an opportunity for some of Scotlands top Athletes to have a “proper race”.
