Breakthrough for Inverness athlete at Loughborough International
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Inverness Harrier Stephen Mackay enjoyed a major breakthrough at Sunday’s Loughborough International when he took second place in the men’s 1500m despite less than a week’s notice of selection.
Originally the middle distance reserve, Mackay, who ran in the 3000m in a Scotland vest at Loughborough last year, was called in during the week and, overcoming a minor calf strain, ran 3:51.30 in a tactical race, finishing strongly right on the tail of the English winner.
“That English boy has run 3:39 so I have to be really pleased with getting that close to him,” Mackay reasoned.
“It was a sound run and I am really happy with how it went.”
European Junior cross country champion Megan Keith, also a 3000m runner 12 months ago, moved well down distance to contest the 1500m where she finished a fine third in a time of 4:21.56.
Both Mackay and Keith were hoping to put themselves in contention for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this year, but one Harrier life member who has already qualified is defending Loughborough women’s discus champion Kirsty Law.
The Black Isle veteran is going through a transition between the great early season form which took her close to 60 metres again, though, and what she hopes will be a further streak of form later in the season.
As in Saturday’s Diamond League in Birmingham she was around five metres below her best, recording 55.35m.
However, she is not unduly disappointed at finishing in third place at one of her favourite events.
“I had it good early on and I can’t expect to keep going like that right through to the end of the summer when I hope I’ll be selected for the Commonwealths,” Law explained.
“The plan is to come again now nearer the business end of the season.”
