21 February 2016

British Athletics’ Club:Connect campaign kicked off a thrilling day of action on the track at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday 20 February with impressive wins for Edinburgh, Giffnock, and Central athletics clubs.

Six girls and boys 4x200m relay finals, for the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 age groups, followed a series of heats in the morning at the city’s Emirates Arena, providing over 100 youngsters with a chance to race in front of the sell-out crowds. Grants of £250 to the winning club in each race added an extra incentive.

Now in its third year, the Club:Connect initiative recognises and rewards the work of clubs around the country.

Edinburgh AC notched up their first win of the day courtesy of the U13 girls who took the win in 1:56.96 ahead of Fife AC (1:57.95) with Pitreavie AAC (1:59.12) in third.

“We did really well – we really enjoyed running here at the Emirates Arena. It was so much fun – we had a great finish to the race. The atmosphere and the crowd really helped us in the race and we are so happy to have won,” said Edinburgh AC.

Victory in the Under 13 boy’s relay went to Giffnock North AAC ‘A’ team in a time of 1:55.26 with Pitreavie (1:57.84) finishing just behind in second place and Glasgow’s Victoria Park (2:01.01) quartet finishing in third.

In the U15 girls it was Central AC who came away with the win after a commanding last lap. The quartet stopped the clock at 1:48.44 ahead of Giffnock North ‘A’ team (1:49.59) with Pitreavie (1:51.59) third once again.

Edinburgh AC claimed their second victory of the day thanks to a dominant performance by the Under 15 boys, who led their 4x200m relay from the gun, finishing in 1:40.93. Dunfermline took the second spot (1:43.69) with Victoria Park (1:45.70) nearly two seconds further back in third.

Giffnock also claimed a second win as the Under 17 girl’s quartet won their final after quickly establishing an early lead on the first leg. The south Glasgow team clocked 1:44.01 to take the win ahead of Victoria Park (1:44.90) as Edinburgh AC (1:47.11) clinched third place.  

“It was amazing, it was really weird getting an introduction on the camera. It was a good atmosphere, it’s so good running here at the Emirates Arena. It was so nerve-wracking but we came into it hoping to win,” said Giffnock AC.

A scintillating anchor leg secured Central AC the win in the boy’s Under 17 relay. In a tightly contested race, it was Giffnock who had the early lead. But Central stormed round the bend of the last lap to take the tape in 1:34.47. Despite their best efforts, Giffnock had to settle for second (1:34.66) with Edinburgh in third (1:37.55).

“It was insane. We were sitting with so many senior internationals. The race went to plan, we expected to win but it was very close at the end. We were pleased with our fast finish,” said Central AC.