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CENTRAL ATHLETIC CLUB

The premier athletic club in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire districts.

Our philosophy, regardless of age and ability, is to encourage and support our members to achieve their goals in a competitive environment

Endurance events – 5-6 February 2022

Feb 8, 2022

Andrew Butchart in 2019 – (C) Bobby Gavin

Andy Butchart brought down his own Scottish indoor record for 3000 Metres with a superb run in New York. The Central Athletic Club athlete was second behind a European record to post 7 minutes 37.42 seconds with fellow Scot Jake Wightman right in the mix, too, at fourth in 7:37.81. Spanish athlete, Adel Mechaal, won the race in 7:30.82 to take a European best mark which had stood for 12 years. Andy’s previous Scottish record had been at 7:40.85 from a year ago in Germany so both Butchart and Wightman were inside the old record and were more than 12 seconds inside the GB qualifying standard for the World Indoors in Belgrade in March.

Ross Houston (74) and Scott Brember (71) with their medals – photo Pete Bracegirdle

The Lindsays Masters Cross Country Championships proved a good test for the over 40s at Aberdeen’s Balgownie playing fields on Saturday. Here it was Edinburgh AC’s Ewan Cameron (26:20) who picked up his first national title with Central Athletic Club’s duo of Ross Houston (26:31) and Scott Brember (27:06) taking the silver and bronze medals and Scott also capturing the M45 title.

Colin Logan covered the 8 kilometre course in 14th with 28:50 and Roger Goddard (59th; 31:21) completed Central’s team scoring to place second in the team competition. There were further good efforts from Ewan Jack (75th; 32:08), Jens Subke (82nd; 33.07), Craig Walker (83rd; 33:11), Charles Graham-Marr (86th; 33:23), Iain Dunsmore (105th; 35:06), Hugh Buchanan (115th; 35:39) and Colin Sinclair (141st; 43:23).

In the Women’s race Claire Houston came home in a commendable 18th placing having covered the 6 kilometre course in 25:40 and Jane Waterhouse (74th; 31:08) completed Central’s efforts in the race.

Athletes Crowe, Graham-Marr, Milne, Fanottoli (reserve) and Hay with coaches Easton and Gall

Central Athletic Club’s Senior Men’s team travelled to Portugal to represent Great Britain in the European Champion Clubs Cup cross country. The Scottish cross country champions were flying the flag for Great Britain after winning the trial against English and Welsh opposition in Liverpool in November.

This was always going to be a tough test for Central’s athletes with many of the European Clubs able to call upon their professional athletes. As always it was a torrid pace from the start and Central’s men again proved their worth over the 10 kilometre course through top running from Jamie Crowe (32nd; 31:45), Alastair Hay (51st; 32:36), Tom Graham-Marr (59th; 33:00) and Cameron Milne (76th; 34:25).

Central’s senior men’s resources were further stretched at the weekend when Hamish Hickey and Calum Phillip were representing Stirling University at the British Universities Cross Country Championships hosted by Brunel University. This is always a high quality race so both can be proud of their runs with Hamish finishing 11th, covering the 10 kilometre course in 34 minutes 38 seconds and Calum coming home 50th with 36:31.