Athletics: Energy buzz for contest

Jul 31 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

YOUNG athletes are set to benefit after the Tay 2009 orienteering competition received backing from Scottish Water yesterday.

The sustainable energy firm will be supplying sports water bottles to around 500 children involved in the huge event, which starts on Sunday.

The 17th international Scottish six-day meeting will attract up to 4,000 runners to six locations across Perthshire, Fife and Angus.

Around a quarter of the competitors are from overseas, with the majority jetting in from Scandinavia.

Youngsters from as far afield as South Africa, Australia, England and Canada will also be mapping their way through the countryside at locations including Dalrulzion, 15 miles north of Blairgowrie, Tullochroisk Woods, near Kinloch Rannoch, Loch Ordie, north of Dunkeld, and Perth’s Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park.

Event official Fraser Purves yesterday encouraged locals to come and cheer the runners on.

“We’d like to thank not only Scottish Water but a series of other contributors for their support in organising this event,” he told PA Sport.

“These sports water bottles will not only be of use to youngsters on the day but also when they return to school, reiterating the sustainable theme.”

For info on Tay 2009 go to www.scottish6days.com