Inverclyde Now Logo ATHLETICS — Success For Inverclyde AC At Edinburgh New Year Sprint

4 January, 2018 | Local

INVERCLYDE AC athletes had a successful trip to the 149th New Year Sprint held in Edinburgh.

The event offers a number of sprint races and has added spice as each athlete is given a different start mark after due consideration to their pedigree.

Mark McLachlan, second on podium

In the 90-metre open race, Mark McLachlan was always going to be in the hunt for a place in the final. After very fast qualifying rounds, Mark took to his start line some metres off his competitors. As the gun went, Mark drove from his blocks hunting down the opposition. As the finish line approached, Mark dipped for the line taking him into a very profitable second place.

Georgia Morrison, pictured, was the sole female competitor in the 800 metres. Approaching the bell with 400 metres to go, she gained the support of the crowd as her male competitors began shadowing her on the back straight. With a determined final home straight, Georgia eased up another gear pulling her into a top placing and a fine acknowledgement from the sponsors.

In the under-16 races, Georgia’s brother Harris had a busy and successful day making the final in the 90 metres, 200 metres and 800 metres. With the 90 metres being the first of his finals, a fast dash for the line saw a creditable fourth place after close examination of the photo finish. In his 800 metres, a determined last 200 metres brought Harris from middle of the racing pack to second place.

Harris Morrison, at the top of the podium

It was his 200 metre where Harris made his biggest impact. An impressive acceleration from his mark had him past the opposition going into the home straight. As he passed the very loud support, Harris opened his winning margin to ensure the photo finish was not required to confirm his victory.

With the organisers operating the handicap system for start marks, Drew McIntyre was a victim of his own success. Being one of the fastest sprinters in the country, Drew was placed so far back there was no real opportunity to close the gap despite running exceptionally quickly on the day.

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