Inverclyde athlete realises long-held ambition with silver medal at prestigious race

Yahoo

02-04-2025

AN Inverclyde athlete achieved a long-standing ambition at one of Scotland's most prestigious annual road race events.
Inverclyde Athletic Club's Nynke Mulholland-Stummer secured a spot on the Scottish podium as a senior athlete at the 61st running of the Tom Scott Memorial Road Races.
(Image: Peter McLaughlin) The event, held at Strathclyde Park, was hosted by Law & District Amateur Athletic Club (AAC), and incorporated the Scottish 10-Mile Road Race Championships.
(Image: Bobby Gavin) After numerous fourth-place finishes over several years, Nynke claimed the silver medal this time round, to loud cheers from those from IAC who had travelled to Lanarkshire to support her.
(Image: Peter McLaughlin) The race conditions were challenging, with a strong headwind making it difficult for the 500 athletes as they completed three laps around the loch.
Annabel Simpson of Fife AC, competing in the race for the third time in four years, maintained a clear lead throughout.
(Image: Bobby Gavin) Meanwhile, Nynke had to fend off a challenge from local athlete Emily McNicol, of Law & District AAC, from about the six-mile mark.
Despite nearing the end of a heavy schedule in preparation for the London Marathon later this month, Nynke managed to hold off Emily in the closing stages, winning the silver medal by a margin of just one second.
The race also saw the return of Meredith Reid after a two-year gap.
(Image: Bobby Gavin) Her sixth place in the women's race is hoped to be the start of a strong autumn-winter season later this year.
Another Inverclyde AC runner, John Bell finished 10th in the men's race.
Though not yet back to full racing fitness and about 60 seconds off his personal best, John said this was a "breakthrough race".
He added that this was the first race since last October where he finished "not in pain", and is now more confident to start pushing harder.
(Image: Peter McLaughlin) John expressed his eagerness to participate in more future races.
The current standard of competition was high, with Olympian Callum Hawkins finishing third, 10 seconds behind winner Scott Stirling of Falkirk Victoria Harriers, and four seconds behind Kevin Campbell of Cambuslang.
The quality of the 2025 men's field was illustrated by the remarkable statistic that the times recorded by Kevin, Scott and Callum were the second, third and fourth fastest in the 61-year history of the race, with only Luke Traylor's 2018 winning time of 47 minutes and 59 seconds eclipsing this year's top three.
An Inverclyde AC spokesperson said: "Many thanks to Law & District AAC and their volunteers for hosting this successful race and to the officials from Scottish athletics who give freely of their time and expertise to ensure that races like this can take place.
Inverclyde AC, accredited with Active Schools Inverclyde, offers a variety of activities and sessions for both juniors and seniors and is supported by Diodes Inc, Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Leisure, Inverclyde Warm Hands of Friendship, Oak Tree Housing, Smiths of Greenock, Succession Wealth, and Tesco Stronger Starts.