Commonwealth gold for Southside athlete

Giffnock North AC's Erin Wallace raced to a sensational gold medal in the Commonwealth Youth Games 1500 metres.
Giifnock North ACs Erin Wallace triumphs in Commonwealth Youth Games 1500 metresGiifnock North ACs Erin Wallace triumphs in Commonwealth Youth Games 1500 metres
Giifnock North ACs Erin Wallace triumphs in Commonwealth Youth Games 1500 metres

The event was hosted in Nassau, Bahamas and she mounted an impressive end to the race as she came from behind to seal the gold medal.

In the unfamiliar warmth of a Caribbean evening, the Newton Mearns 17-year-old delivered a coolly mature performance to claim gold in what was also a new personal best for her with a time of four minutes, 16 seconds.

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Eighth at the bell and still just fourth with 200 metres to go, Wallace held her nerve and stuck to her even-pace plan as the best of Kenya, England, Australia and New Zealand slowly faded.

Hitting the front only in the final few strides, she produced a win that had the entire Scottish team celebrating when she crossed the finish line.

Remarkably, after a qualifying round the very next day, Wallace also qualified for the 800m final, but three races in three days caught up with her and she had to settle for sixth in what was a hard fought tactical race.

Giffnock’s 100 metre sprinter Adam Clayton showed impressive form to reach his semi-final only to be narrowly eliminated as ninth fastest man.

Club-mate Alessandro Schenini went agonisingly close to a medal, in fourth in the long jump.

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