Scotia strike gold with double success at British Masters 5K

Members of Scotia Race Walking Club enjoyed terrific success when they travelled to Horwich for the British Masters 5K Championship.

Agnes Ellis lifted gold in the ladies’ event and the small Scotia team also came out on top in the team competition.

There was a record attendance, and quality fields for both men and women, at the 10th anniversary race.

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AS the race got under way Scotia’s Bill McFadden chased down the front of the field while Andrew Fraser, Agnes Ellis and John Softley started with a more measured approach, judging the field as they meandered through it.

Bill had closed in on the front of the field and was walking shoulder to shoulder with Adrian Edwards of Lancashire RWC. On the final 20 metres Bill was fighting for his place and got pipped by two seconds on the line, making him fourth in his age category and seventh overall.

Although he missed out on a medal he produced a personal best by one and a half minutes, finishing in 27 minutes 31 seconds.

A tremendous effort from Andrew saw him cross the line in 29 minutes 28 seconds, finishing fifth in his age category and ninth overall.

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And John, returning to walking after injury, clocked in 33 minutes 59 seconds to finish seventh in his age category and 23rd overall.

But pride of place went to Agnes who, with good pacing and determination, crossed the line in 31 minutes 24 seconds, a personal best on this course by two minutes, to finish first in her age category and fifth overall in the women’s race,

And there was a huge, and pleasant, surprise when it was announced that Scotia had won gold in the team prize at the championship, having beaten all contenders including the strong team from Lancashire.

To complete an amazing week for Scotia, a few days later Bill completed the Kirkintilloch 10k in 56 minutes 50 seconds, taking almost a minute off last year’s time walking the same course.

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Other results from the Kirkintilloch 10k for friends of Scotia and Kirkintilloch Mile Crunchers were: Scotia - Alan Weir (Run24Fit) 46.17; Mike Murray (Lothian Running Club) 52:56; Karen Connal (canisports ed) 55:22; John Softley (Bellahouston Harriers) 58:40.

Kirkie Mile Crunchers - William Campbell 50:53; Patricia Shovlin 52:26.

Club member Sheila Palmer put in a fine performance at the London Marathon, completing the course in a time of 5 hours 17 minutes and raising £350 for Alzheimer Scotland in the process.