Biggar's Katie Foss (15) wins national U20 title on 400m debut!

In doing so, the 5ft 3’ Biggar High pupil beat top athletes up to five years older than her, an accomplishment even more remarkable when you consider it was her first ever event competing over 400m!

Katie’s proud mum Hazel told the Carluke and Lanark Gazette: “What she did was absolutely amazing, considering the strong line-up of much older and more experienced athletes at this distance.

“To make it even more special, her winning time of 57:26s makes her the fastest U17W 400m runner in Scotland this year!”

And even that doesn’t tell the full story about Katie’s wonderful gold.

For she ended up in a dead heat for first place with fellow Giffnock North AAC runner Sophie Haldane, whom she hunted down in the final straight, having trailed up until the very last stride.

“The organisers were saying this was the first time they’d heard of a photo finish in a 400m event,” Hazel added.

“Katie was behind until the last 40m but found something and pulled it back late on. The judges just couldn’t tear them apart and they both got gold medals.”

Katie’s Aberdeen exploits now qualify her to compete at next summer’s Gothenburg Youth Games.

“This will be Katie’s first oversea event,” Hazel added.

“She will be going out there to get more experience.”

Katie, who is coached by Mike Love and remains a ‘2nd Claim’ athlete to Law and District AAC, has been running competitively for over three years.

“Katie is very committed to her training,” Hazel said. “It is very rare that she has a day off. She trains four days a week and listens to her coach.”

Katie thanked coach Love and sponsor JM Services of Carluke for their support.