Inverness athlete switches races due to faith and becomes Scottish champion
Scottish champion Luke Davidson says his faith will always run alongside him in his athletics career.
The Inverness Harriers athlete became Scottish 800 metres champion at the Scottish Senior Track and Field Championships in Grangemouth last weekend.
The 22-year-old was originally meant to be competing in the 1500 metres at the championship. But due to his religious beliefs, he pulled out of the race as it was being held on a Sunday.
He decided to compete in the 800 metres final on Saturday and claimed gold winning in a time of 1:54.51.
Davidson says in the past he has had to pull out of races if they are taking place on a Sunday, saying his faith will always come first.
He was pleased that he came out on top to win the 800 metres national title for the first time.
“If the 1500 metres is available that is what I would race,” said Davidson.
“It has always been the case one or the other has been on a Saturday or Sunday so I trained for both. I am better in the 1500 metres, but I prepared for the 800 metres and that is how it happened.
“There have been lots of races that I have not competed in because it has been on a Sunday. I got to British University finals in the last two years. But the races have been on a Sunday so I just don’t do them.
“It is not a decision for me, it is the way I live.”
This year, The Scottish Championships were rebranded the Eric Liddell Senior Championships, after the athlete who won gold in the 400 metres at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
Liddell – whose story was famously depicted in the 1981 Oscar-winning film, ‘Chariots of Fire’ – was a devout Christian who famously withdrew from the 100 metres heats at the Olympics because they were held on a Sunday. Instead, he competed in the 400 metres event, where he secured his place in history as the last British athlete to win gold in this event.
Davidson says Liddell’s story is something which has been an inspiration to him his entire life. He wants to follow his example of balancing athletics and his faith.
“Having grown up in a Christian family and my dad and uncle both being runners, I had grown up with the film,” said Davidson.
“It was a movie that I wanted to watch every Sunday. I remember in primary school, when we had to talk about someone famous, I would always pick Eric Liddell without fail.
“I was aware of his life story and Chariots of Fire is my favourite movie by miles. He is someone I have always looked up to, even before I got into running fully, I was always engrossed by what he did. When I got into running it took over me and I tried to lead a life like he did. Not to the same level, but it is not a bad comparison.”
Davidson also played football when he was younger and was part of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth set-up.
However, due to his faith and not playing on a Sunday, he would drift away from the sport as a teenager.
With support from his family, he got involved in running and hasn’t looked back, being able to find a fine balance between the two.
He said: “I played football for Inverness Caledonian Thistle at under-12 level, but that didn’t work out with games on Sunday.
“I had a conversation with my dad Paul, who encouraged me to give running a shot. My uncle Mark is a very good runner as well as he ran in the Commonwealth Games. I was bound to go that direction eventually. It is very much in the family.”
Davidson is coached at Inverness Harriers by Ross Cairns, who is also the coach of 10,000 metres Olympic final runner Megan Keith.
Davidson says Cairns has been a vital part of his success in the sport, saying he understand he won’t compromise.
“Ross became my coach and not running on a Sunday wasn’t an issue for him,” he said.
“My Sunday long run is broken up between Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He gets it is my decision that faith is bigger than running and I really appreciate that. It is rare to see and I am very grateful for that. I don’t think I would be anywhere near the level I am at without him.”
Davidson says he will look to carry on his good form after winning the Scottish 800 metres title.
He says where ever his athletics career takes him, his faith will always run alongside him.
He said: “I have always wanted to take running as far I can, but it is more as far as God wants me to take it.
“I have always had the prayer that I want to be used as a Christian example in sport and be used in this sort of way. If God willing I can go far in the sport.
“The Olympics is a pipe dream and if that is God’s will, I will do it.”
