Latest news with #UKChampionships
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
I feared that I'd never run again, says Scot who pipped Laura Muir at the post
New British 1500m champion Sarah Calvert has revealed how she feared her running career was over before it had really begun. The 24-year-old Scot produced the shock result of the UK Championships in Birmingham last weekend with victory over compatriot and Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir by five hundredths of a second. But now Calvert has recalled how she didn't run for a year in her mid-teens following surgery for scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves abnormally. At one stage in 2015, she didn't know if she would run again or achieve even moderate age-group success in athletics. Her recovery was gradual but senior Scottish titles in recent years at 800m and 1500m at Grangemouth hinted at more to come. Now the past few weeks have seen her on the podium at the World Universities in Germany — the first Scot to do so in individual events since 1997 — and then become British champion. 'When I was aged 15 I underwent surgery for scoliosis,' said the Livingston AC athlete and Edinburgh University student. 'It was a really tough and scary time in my life. I had metal rods inserted in my back and, yes, they are still there. 'My family and I went through a lot at that time and I couldn't do any exercise at all for a year. 'I remember at the time thinking when will I get back to running again, will I even be able to improve my personal bests? I was thinking: 'Will I ever run again?' 'Then, getting back, it took so long to be fit. I never knew if I would win races again and get to the top in my age groups.' Time proved a healer and, by 2017, she was winning medals at Scottish Schools events and Scottish Age Group championships. 'My injury history over the past years have probably all been connected to issues with my back,' added Calvert, who is coached by Luke Gunn and is part of the Edinburgh University endurance project in partnership with Scottish Athletics. 'I have to work with that and I do try to forget about what happened (in 2015 with the surgery). It does not affect me now. 'Nevertheless, I would not have expected to reach this level (British champion) in the sport, to be honest. 'But I suppose the way to look at it is: if I could overcome that, then I can overcome anything else which may come my way. 'I have had Achilles injuries and so on but it has not been my spine again — so somehow, sometimes, I've been able to think positively.' Her athletic dreams pre-dated the scoliosis diagnosis and, in fact, were nurtured by visits to Hampden for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. 'I've always had big dreams of going to major championships but I'm unsure if I ever really believed they were possible,' Calvert told BBC Scotland. 'Now I have the belief that, if I do keep training consistently, then this could be possible. I feel like I could write these goals down and try to achieve them next year. 'The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow would be great because all my family and friends could come and watch me. It seems like something I don't want to miss out on. 'I remember going to watch Lynsey Sharp in the 800m when she won her silver medal [at Glasgow 2014] and I was so excited.
Daily Mail
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Zharnel Hughes dedicates 100m win in UK Athletics Championships to his aunt on the day of her funeral in emotional speech
Zharnel Hughes missed his aunt's funeral to reclaim his 100 metres title at the UK Athletics Championships last night. Britain's fastest man recovered from a slow start to win in Birmingham in 9.94sec, ahead of world indoor gold medallist Jeremiah Azu and defending champion Louie Hinchliffe. Hughes then dedicated his victory to his late aunt Iola, who was being laid to rest in the country of his birth, Anguilla, yesterday. 'Today is a very difficult day for me,' revealed the 30-year-old. 'My auntie is getting buried right now. Her funeral is going on and I'm missing out. 'I was very close with her, so today was a bit of a mental strength game for me. I almost started crying. This win was for her.' Hughes' next target is to claim a medal at next month's World Championships in Tokyo, just like he did after he won his last British crown in 2023, when he went on to secure a bronze in Budapest. Britain's fastest man ran the 100m in 9.94sec ahead of world indoor gold medallist Jeremiah Azu In the women's 100m, Amy Hunt stormed to victory in a new personal best of 11.02sec after defending champion Daryll Neita was disqualified for a false start. But Neita – who finished fourth at last summer's Olympics – should still be selected for Tokyo having already run the qualifying standard. Earlier, Molly Caudery defended her British pole vault title with a leap of 4.85 metres, the highest in the world outdoors this year. The 25-year-old will now go to Tokyo bidding to win her first global outdoor medal and make amends for her heartbreak at last summer's Paris Olympics, when she went in as favourite but crashed out in qualifying.
The Herald Scotland
02-08-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
2025 UK Athletics Champs carry more intrigue than they have for years
Going into this weekend, two Scots know their ticket to Tokyo is already confirmed. Josh Kerr, as reigning 1500m world champion, has automatic qualification into this year's World Championships and Megan Keith courtesy of her victory at the British 10,000m Championships in June but is absent this weekend, has ensured her place in the British team for the World Championships is also secured. For the rest, however, this weekend is vitally important. Selection is dependent upon athletes having secured World Athletics' qualification mark, as well as finishing inside the top two at this year's UK Championships. A third athlete can also be selected, at the discretion of the British selectors, as long as the athlete has the qualification standard under their belt. With Kerr absent from the 1500m start list - the Olympic silver medallist will instead contest the 5000m this weekend rather than his specialist distance - things are somewhat more open than they may have been otherwise. 2022 world champion, Jake Wightman, has been plagued by injury since winning that world title three years ago but the past few months had suggested the Edinburgh runner was finally approaching something close to full fitness once again. The 31-year-old had been favourite for the British title this weekend but his last-minute withdrawal due to a stomach bug is a blip in his season that he could have done without. Jake Wightmanwas a last-minute withdrawal from the UK Championships (Image: Getty Images) Wightman's withdrawal means that his compatriot, Neil Gourley, is now the Scot with the best chance of victory, with the Glaswegian aiming for his third consecutive and fourth overall British outdoor 1500m title. However, Englishman Elliot Giles will push Gourley hard for top spot. The women's 1500m will be equally interesting. Englishwoman Georgia Hunter Bell has been the stand-out British athlete this summer and as an Olympic medallist and British record holder over the distance, is tipped to successfully defend her 1500m outdoor title that she won for the first time last summer. Former British number one, Laura Muir, will be her closest challenger. Muir's competitive appearances have been few and far between this year due to an injury-hit winter and the Milnathort native has looked some way off her best when she has competed. But despite this, it seems unlikely that Muir won't do enough to book her ticket to Tokyo, even if she doesn't add to the four British outdoor titles she already has to her name. Kilbarchan's Jemma Reelkie will also be on the 1500m start line, as will Glaswegian Erin Wallace. The women's 800m carries a degree of jeopardy for Reekie in terms of World Championships qualification. With 800m Olympic champion, Keely Hodgkinson, missing this British Championships due to injury, assuming she'll be fit come the World Championships, she's all but guaranteed to be the selectors' pick. Which leaves no room for error for Reekie as she aims for a top two spot. Jemma Reekie will be hoping to win the 800m title (Image: Reuters) With Hunter Bell doubling-up and running the 800m as well as the 1500m this weekend, the Englishwoman is tipped to win the 800m British title for the fist time. Taking into account Reekie's experience and pedigree, she's expected to come at least second but with 2024 Olympian Phoebe Gill on the start line, a ticket to Paris is by no means guaranteed for the Scot. Reekie's compatriots, Wallace and Sarah Calvert could also push the favourites hard. In the 3000m steeplechase, new Scottish record holder, Sarah Tait is on for a top two finish but will need to drop nine seconds on her personal best to secure World Championships selection. In the sprints, Alyson Bell and Alisha Rees are in action, Nicole Yeargin is in the 400m while on the field, Nick Percy has already thrown the discus qualifying distance and only needs to finish inside the top two to ensure he's heading to Tokyo.
The National
02-08-2025
- Sport
- The National
2025 UK Athletics Champs carry more intrigue than they have for years
As always, it's not only British titles on the line, but also places in the GB team for the World Championships, which take place in Tokyo next month. Going into this weekend, two Scots know their ticket to Tokyo is already confirmed. Josh Kerr, as reigning 1500m world champion, has automatic qualification into this year's World Championships and Megan Keith courtesy of her victory at the British 10,000m Championships in June but is absent this weekend, has ensured her place in the British team for the World Championships is also secured. For the rest, however, this weekend is vitally important. Selection is dependent upon athletes having secured World Athletics' qualification mark, as well as finishing inside the top two at this year's UK Championships. A third athlete can also be selected, at the discretion of the British selectors, as long as the athlete has the qualification standard under their belt. With Kerr absent from the 1500m start list - the Olympic silver medallist will instead contest the 5000m this weekend rather than his specialist distance - things are somewhat more open than they may have been otherwise. 2022 world champion, Jake Wightman, has been plagued by injury since winning that world title three years ago but the past few months had suggested the Edinburgh runner was finally approaching something close to full fitness once again. The 31-year-old had been favourite for the British title this weekend but his last-minute withdrawal due to a stomach bug is a blip in his season that he could have done without. Jake Wightmanwas a last-minute withdrawal from the UK Championships (Image: Getty Images) Wightman's withdrawal means that his compatriot, Neil Gourley, is now the Scot with the best chance of victory, with the Glaswegian aiming for his third consecutive and fourth overall British outdoor 1500m title. However, Englishman Elliot Giles will push Gourley hard for top spot. The women's 1500m will be equally interesting. Englishwoman Georgia Hunter Bell has been the stand-out British athlete this summer and as an Olympic medallist and British record holder over the distance, is tipped to successfully defend her 1500m outdoor title that she won for the first time last summer. Former British number one, Laura Muir, will be her closest challenger. Muir's competitive appearances have been few and far between this year due to an injury-hit winter and the Milnathort native has looked some way off her best when she has competed. But despite this, it seems unlikely that Muir won't do enough to book her ticket to Tokyo, even if she doesn't add to the four British outdoor titles she already has to her name. Kilbarchan's Jemma Reelkie will also be on the 1500m start line, as will Glaswegian Erin Wallace. The women's 800m carries a degree of jeopardy for Reekie in terms of World Championships qualification. With 800m Olympic champion, Keely Hodgkinson, missing this British Championships due to injury, assuming she'll be fit come the World Championships, she's all but guaranteed to be the selectors' pick. Which leaves no room for error for Reekie as she aims for a top two spot. Jemma Reekie will be hoping to win the 800m title (Image: Reuters) With Hunter Bell doubling-up and running the 800m as well as the 1500m this weekend, the Englishwoman is tipped to win the 800m British title for the fist time. Taking into account Reekie's experience and pedigree, she's expected to come at least second but with 2024 Olympian Phoebe Gill on the start line, a ticket to Paris is by no means guaranteed for the Scot. Reekie's compatriots, Wallace and Sarah Calvert could also push the favourites hard. In the 3000m steeplechase, new Scottish record holder, Sarah Tait is on for a top two finish but will need to drop nine seconds on her personal best to secure World Championships selection. In the sprints, Alyson Bell and Alisha Rees are in action, Nicole Yeargin is in the 400m while on the field, Nick Percy has already thrown the discus qualifying distance and only needs to finish inside the top two to ensure he's heading to Tokyo.
Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh hosts UK Pipe Band Championships at Royal Highland Centre
More then 18 kilometres of tartan will be on display this weekend as the UK Pipe Band Championships get underway near Edinburgh this weekend. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Taking place for the first time at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Saturday's event will showcase musical talent and cultural heritage – all presented in a fun day out. With performances, workshops and world-class bands, it promises to be a spectacular day of piping, drumming and traditional Scottish music, brought to life by more than 900 bagpipers, 326 snare drummers, 234 tenor drummers and 62 bass drummers using 1244 drumsticks. 1,556 pipers and drummers of all ages will be taking part in the competition. | Ian Georgeson Photography Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The competition itself will feature musicians of all ages in 62 competing bands, including the PLC Pipe Band from Melbourne who have travelled more than 10,000 miles to take part. The family-friendly event – free to under-fives – is expected to attract around 7500 spectators, with food and drink available throughout the day. Mark Currie, director of venue, Royal Highland Centre, said, 'We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association on this prestigious event for the first time. 'From the first march to the final flourish, this event brings together incredible talent, proud tradition, and an unbeatable atmosphere for audiences of all ages. 'Royal Highland Centre has always been dedicated to providing a platform to homegrown organisations, like the RSPBA [Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association] for example, and so we couldn't be prouder to be hosting their UK Championships.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Colin Mulhern, RSPBA chief executive, said: 'The UK Pipe Band Championships are a true celebration of musical excellence, tradition and community spirit. Every year we are proud to welcome some of the best pipe bands from across the country and beyond, and this year we are very much looking forward to being in our new venue, the Royal Highland Centre. It's an unforgettable day of powerful performances, vibrant culture and world-class talent.' Dogs are welcome and car parking is available, but those travelling locally are advised to take the tram or the dedicated 98 Lothian Bus service.
