Maclennan sets new personal best on GB track debut
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Inverness Harrier Mhairi Maclennan set a new personal best of 32:58.42 on her track debut for Great Britain in the European Cup 10,000m at the Night of 10,000PBs at London’s Parliament Hill track on Saturday.
Although out with the three British counters who won the team contest, this was an improvement of 30 seconds on the time the Kirkhill athlete ran in last year’s corresponding open event.
This performance places Maclennan, eighth in the UK rankings for the event and, such is the standard of women’s endurance running North of the Border, fourth on the hugely competitive Scottish lists.
Two of Maclennan’s compatriots – winner Steph Twell and Eilish McColgan – finished in the top three in Saturday night’s international race.
“It was an amazing atmosphere, a truly unique event,” MacLennan said.
“Although I fell short of the time I wanted at the start of the season, given the setbacks I had in May and June, I thoroughly enjoyed my first track vest.
Angus Davren, affected by a back injury, took sixth place in the high jump at the International Island Games in Gibraltar with a best clearance of 1.85 metres.
The Conon Bridge-based Inverness Harrier, who has a number of junior international appearances to his credit, qualified for the Orkney team as a result of previous residence.
The 17-year-old is now due to contest the long jump and the 100m events later in the Games, which are taking place out in Gibraltar.
Stephen MacKay and Gillian Gordon were major prize winners at Saturday’s Forres Highland Games, claiming a host of victories.
Gordon had a clean sweep of the women’s 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, high jump and long jump.
Meanwhile MacKay, who is an 800m and 1500m specialist, prevailed in the longer 3000m championship race.
MacKay also tasted success in the 400m and 200m races, although he had to settle for second place in the 100m.
