Harriers in action at Perth event

May 13 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH Strathtay Harriers hosted the first Petrofac Athletics League meeting of the season on a wonderfully sunny day at the George Duncan Athletics Arena.

More than 500 athletes, coaches and spectators enjoyed not only great weather but some excellent athletic competition.

Athletes ranging from under 11s to seniors were lured to Perth to open their league season.

Boys and girls from eight clubs competed in an exciting competition. They came from all over Scotland, including Aberdeen, Dundee and Arbroath.

Perth athletes were out in force and went up against strong opposition on the track and in the field.

The first league match is used to set targets for athletes opening their competition season and some of the top Scottish coaches and officials were in Perth for the event.

All the local athletes did very well in front of the large crowd.

Ben Greenwood had a perfectly timed run in the boys 800m event. Leading from the front, he crossed the finishing line well in front of the chasing group.

The under 13 boys 4 x 100m relay team was made up of Lewis Forsyth, Joseph Gillespie, Cameron Ogg and Ewan Robertson.

This was the first time the four boys had competed together and they worked well as a team. Excellent changeovers by their main rivals resulted in the Harriers narrowly missing first place and having to settle for second.

Club president Jim Hunter, said: “A large appreciative crowd brought the George Duncan Athletics Arena alive and it was great to see so many Perth athletes working hard but clearly enjoying their athletics.

“It would not have been possible without the hard working team managers, coaches and all the behind the scenes activity of the Live Active Leisure ground staff.”