RISING stars with Pitreavie AAC might be missing the track but that hasn't stopped them running to competition success.

Although lockdown has prevented athletics meets taking place in person, several of the club's younger members took part in a Scottish Athletics SUPERteams event that was held 'virtually' – and enjoyed some fine results.

More than 200 youngsters, from a total of 24 clubs, took part in the event, which consisted of a 75 metres shuttle run; target throw; standing long jump; and an 800m run.

Despite chilly conditions, Pitreavie's up-and-coming athletes threw themselves into the competition, with the under-11 girls and boys leading the way with a pair of third-place finishes.

The girls, competing in a field of 21 teams, accumulated a total of 653 points, with Molly McElroy (pictured) winning 210 points, followed by Summer Dunnet (163), Amelie Mathers (144) and Edie Taylor (136).

A fine performance by the boys was even more impressive given they had just three team members, with Brodie Smith (pictured) gaining 211 points, Rory Aitken earning 200, and Finlay Jackson winning 156.

There was a fourth-place finish for the under-13 boys, and a fifth place for the girls, as Pitreavie finished in a fine sixth position overall with 1,064 points, which included excellent contributions from Frazer Lees (313), Mia Fairweather (254), Ross Allan (253) and Isla Gourlay (244).

Meanwhile, senior athletes were able to take part in the 4J Studios Virtual Power Quad Challenge, which consisted of four back-to-back events; the standing long jump, three jumps, a 30m sprint and an overhead throw.

Under-20 male athlete Sean Stewart placed third overall on 228 points, behind winner Carson Graham, of Shettleston Harriers, who scored 238, and runner-up Gillian Cooke, of Edinburgh AC, who accumulated 231.

In addition, Stewart also topped the 30m sprint with a time of 3.62 seconds, and the standing long jump with an effort 2.90m.

Not to be left out, intrepid members of Pitreavie AAC’s endurance section ran or walked a distance further than Scotland to New Zealand throughout January to stay active in lockdown.

Although current restrictions have stopped us doing many things we enjoy, many of the club’s number were still able to get out and cover the miles over the course of the month as part of their popular ‘Bubble Dash’ event.

The runners involved had been grouped previously into training bubbles in line with Scottish Athletics’ COVID guidelines to compete over distance, elevation and maximum time throughout the 31 days.

Dunfermline Press:

Tim Compston and John Cruikshank of the Double Biscuit Bubble. Photo: Pitreavie AAC

It included a C25K (couch to 5K) bubble, a kids’ bubble and even a ‘barking bubble’ for pet dogs and, after a monumental effort, those involved ran or walked a colossal 19,868 kilometres.

That distance is further than that to New Zealand and, in addition, they ascended a hugely-impressive 215,973 metres, and kept moving for more than 2,961 hours.
Topping the greatest distance-covered charts were the ‘Double Biscuit’ bubble, with a total of 2,247km, followed by the ‘Socially Adaptabubbles’ (2,178km) and the ‘SQubbles’ (based in South Queensferry), who ran or walked 2,102 km.

‘Double Biscuit’ also gained the most elevation with 28,562m, while the ‘Socially Adaptabubbles’ showed massive commitment by exercising out and about for more than 430 hours.

For more information on Pitreavie AAC and its endurance section, visit the club’s website or Facebook page.