Inverness Harriers para-athlete finishes in third place at British Athletics Inter Counties Championship in Nottingham
FINLAY Maclennan says winning a bronze medal at the British Athletics Inter Counties Championship finished his cross-country season in style.
The Inverness Harriers para-athlete finished in third place at the British Para Cross Challenge in Nottingham where he took on top runners from across the UK.
Maclennan (29) claimed a place on the podium after completing the four kilometre course in a time of 15 minutes and seven seconds, with Sam Fernando from Fife Athletics Club taking gold in 14:21 and Kellam James of Wreake and Soar Valley in second place with a time of 14:51.
Maclennan, who competes at T20 level for para-athletes with intellectual disabilities, said it was a dream come true to win a medal at a major British competition.
He said: “I just felt great during the race and I was targeting winning a medal in what was going to be my final cross country event of the season.
“I felt at one point I could have challenged the top two for the gold, but I felt that I didn’t have enough pace in my legs left.
“That was partly down to an injury to one of my muscles which I suffered a few years ago.
“It was my first time competing at the British Cross Challenge this year. It was a tough field, but it was good conditions for running.
“I thought that I had to win a medal as it would finish off the season in style for me.
“It is absolutely incredible and it is a dream come true to win a medal at a British competition.”
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Maclennan, who is a volunteer at the Haven Cafe in Inverness, first joined the Inverness Harriers in 2011 and is coached by Charlie Forbes at Inverness Harriers.
With the cross country season finished, Maclennan is now turning his attention to the track where he specialises competing in middle distance events.
His current favourite distance is 1500 metres, but also competes over 400 metres and 800 metres.
Happy with his form during the cross country season, Maclennan is looking to replicate his form to the track season.
He said: “I am concentrating on a lot of work to make sure that I get everything right for the track season.
“I certainly hope that I am in good enough form.”
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