Wishaw to host top-class athletics championships

Mar 25 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Wishaw to host top-class athletics championships

THE inaugural Scottish Inter-Regional Athletics Championships will be staged at Wishaw Stadium this summer as part of the Scottish Athletics Golden League.

Several venues throughout the country are hosting Golden League events this year, with the top-class action beginning in Wishaw on Saturday, May 9.

The two-day event, to be hosted by North Lanarkshire Leisure, will play a vital role in developing performance for Scottish athletes in the countdown to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The action begins on the Saturday with an under-13 Superteams competition, followed by the Scottish under-15 and under-17 Closed Championships.

Around 1000 athletes will be taking part over the two days of competition.

Councillor Jim Logue, Chair of North Lanarkshire Leisure and Convener of Learning and Leisure Services, said: “This is a major coup for North Lanarkshire to be hosting a new and prestigious sporting event.

“I'd encourage as many people to turn up for what I'm sure will be two thrilling, action-packed days.

“The event will also encourage young people to get involved in athletics and provide them with the experience of competing in a professional arena.”

The Golden League will also take place at Pitreavie (the Scottish Championships) and at Grand Prix meetings in Linwood and East Kilbride.

Athletes’ points totals will accumulate throughout the series, with the leading athletes then contesting the Golden League Final at the Bank of Scotland Cup at Grangemouth in late August.

Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure, added: “We are delighted that North Lanarkshire Leisure has developed such a positive partnership with Scottish Athletics.

“The catalyst for this has been the appointment of Yvonne Murray, who is leading in developing our athletics and events provision in North Lanarkshire.”

The dates for the 2009 Golden League series are:

Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10, Inter-Regional Championships (Wishaw).

Saturday and Sunday June 20/21, Scottish National Championships (Pitreavie).

Wednesday July 29: Open Graded Grand Prix (Linwood).

Wednesday August 12: Open Graded Grand Prix (East Kilbride).

Wednesday August 26 (date to be confirmed): Bank of Scotland Cup (Grangemouth).

For more information on any of these events, long on to www.scottishathletics.org.uk