British Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships

The main BMAF T&F event was held at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham over the weekend 10^th/11th August.  Windy and wet conditions on Saturday hampered performances and although Sunday was dry the gusty wind remained an inhibiting factor.   Despite the conditions the 32 Scottish competitors returned with an amazing haul of 47 medals - 26 gold, 13 silver and 8 bronze setting three British records, one Scottish Masters best with another being equalled.

It was good to see 1970 Commonwealth Games discus champion and multiple Word Masters champion Rosemary Chrimes (formerly Payne) return to competition after an absence of five years and set three British records in the W85 age group winning the hammer with a throw of 19.40, shot with 7.08m and discus with 18.61m.  Although her shot figure is listed as the British record Rosemary actually recorded 7.09m at the beginning of August at Birmingham University relays as well as clearing 90cm for a new British record in the high jump.  A bit odd that her high jump performance has been ratified as a record but her not her shot.

James Smith (Motherwell) was another triple gold winner taking the 200m in a time of 30.65s, bettering his own Scottish Masters best, the 100m and the long jump with a leap of 3.67m in the M75 category.  Double golds were claimed by Claire Cameron (VP-Glasgow) in the W60 shot and discus,  Anne Howie (Aberdeen) in the W55 800m and 1500m and John Thomson (Fife) in the M60 800m and 1500m.

Dougie Graham (Edinburgh) equalled his own Scottish Masters best with a winning 4.20m in the M40 pole vault and other winners were Liz Bowers (Worcester ) – W65 800m, Gillian Cooke (Edinburgh) – W35 long jump, Jacqui Etherington (Cambuslang) – W40 2000m steeplechase, Bill Gentleman (Edinburgh) – M75 hammer, Graham Lay (Southampton) – M40 shot, Allan Leiper (Aldershot, Farnham and District) – M55 weight throw, Linzie Marsh (Pitreavie) – W40 high jump, Alan Robertson (Motherwell) – M40 200m, Ron Todd (Central) – M55 pole vault, Julie Tuck (Aberdeen) – W40 80m hurdles, David Valentine (West Suffolk) – M60 hammer, Alastair Walker (Teviotdale) – M60 5000m and Colin Welsh (Gala) – M35 800m.

Well done to all athletes competing and my apologies to any I have omitted.  Full results are listed below.