A EUROPEAN gold medal-winner raced to Pitreavie as an innovative West Fife running group hosted their first-ever event on Saturday.

The Pitreavie RaceRunning Group, which was formed in 2016, attracted 28 athletes from across Scotland to take part in their 'from grass roots to international stars' competition.

They had the chance to race in 19 events, across distances ranging from 50 metres to 800m, and meet Gavin Drysdale, who last year smashed a world record while on his way to RaceRunning gold in the 100m at the World Para Athletics European Championships in Berlin last year.

RaceRunning is a new sport for disabled people with impaired balance where the runner uses a custom-built tricycle without pedals to make their way around the track.

It gives people living with a disability, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinsons disease, and those who may usually be restricted to wheelchairs, the opportunity to run independently.

Having previously been included within events organised by Pitreavie Amateur Athletics Club, the Pitreavie RaceRunning Group was able to stage its own after winning £500 earlier this year through a Press and Taylor Wimpey Community Chest initiative.

Pierette Melville, of the RaceRunning Group, said: "We had 28 athletes from places like Ayrshire, Inverness and Aberdeen take part, and Gavin Drysdale brought his gold medal that he won for GB at the European Championships.

"Around 60-70 people were there altogether and we took pride in it being for beginners to international athletes. There were two girls, who started in August with two steps, at their first event and managed 50 metres.

"You could see the enjoyment of the kids winning a medal. It was thanks to the money we received from the Dunfermline Press Community Chest that we were able to put it on, and Pitreavie Amateur Athletics Club have been a fantastic help to us."

The group, who are hopeful of repeating the event next year, have participants ranging in age from three to 18 attend their weekly sessions at Pitreavie, and currently have 15 RaceRunning bikes.

For more information, search Pitreavie RaceRunning Group on Facebook.