Rogart teen picked to compete in hill running international
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ROGART teenager Alasdair Coupar is celebrating his selection for the Scottish Under 16s team to compete in the annual Hill Running International against England, Ireland and Wales which takes place at Penrith in Cumbria tomorrow, writes John Davies, East Sutherland Athletics Club coach.
Exactly a year ago Alasdair (15), a fourth year pupil at Golspie High School, was presented with the Junior Sports Award by the Sutherland Sports Council and his subsequent progress has been truly remarkable.
He ran superbly throughout the cross country season and led his East Sutherland team to victories in both the North League and the North District Championship.
His hill running potential was evident when he finished fourth in the first race of the season at East Lomond in April and he followed this with another fine run at Ben Lomond in May.
Alasdair worked on his track speed and produced personal best performances at 800 metres, 1500 metres and 3 kilometres and went on to become the North of Scotland Schools Champion at 1500 metres.
He turned his attention to road running at the end of June and set a new course record at the Tain 5K.
It was back to the hills again in July and yet another outstanding victory at Tomintoul – this time in the Under 17 category in a race organised by the Scottish Hill Running Association.
There was no junior race at the Durness Highland Games so Alasdair ran with the adults and came home a clear winner to take both junior and senior titles.
During August there were two more victories in the Highland Games hill races at Strathpeffer and Helmsdale so everything was in place for the official selection race scheduled for 2nd September at Menstrie.
In this race Alasdair produced another fine run to claim fourth place but, with only the first two certain of selection, he had to wait several days before receiving confirmation of his inclusion in the team.
