Every rain cloud has a silver lining.
August 20th, 20073 of Gala Harriers’ junior section took part in the Scottish Championships at Grangemouth on Saturday and Sunday. The U13’s event was held in horrendous conditions with several athletes struggling to cope with the cold wind and driving rain. However, Demi Yorke and Martha Douglas braved the conditions to put in improved performances. Both girls advanced from their heats to the Semi finals recording personal bests, Douglas running 14.50secs and Yorke with 13.78secs.
The semi finals were held in ever worsening conditions with the track sweepers being used full time in an effort to keep the lanes free from surface water. Demi and Martha were drawn in the first semi final and just a lane apart. Yorke prevailed by winning in a time of 13.79secs, Douglas placed 6th in 14.54secs.
With the long jump commencing prior to the final of the 100m, Demi Yorke would have to get a decent jump in prior to competing in the sprint. Conditions continued to deteriorate with one athlete competing wearing gloves, Yorke jumped 4.09metres with her first jump which was modest effort by her usual standards. She then moved to the final of the 100m where she lined up against some of Scotland’s best youngsters. Demi got off to a flying start and lead the field at halfway when disaster struck. A hip strain forced her to slow down and she could only finish in 7th place in 15.08secs. The long jump competition continued without the Gala youngster but there was only one athlete who managed to jump further than Yorke and that was just by 1cm. So despite just having 1 jump Demi won the silver medal at the Scottish Championships in her first season.
The afternoon saw Martha Douglas on the track, this time in the 200m. Lining up against girls from all over Scotland Douglas ran another pb to record 30.08secs to qualify for the final. Martha had another good run in the final finishing a creditable 6th in a time of 30.14secs.
The Sunday saw Emily Douglas running in both the 100metres and 200metres. Douglas cruised through her heat in 13.33 and then ran a fast 13.17 to qualify for the final. Emily placed 6th in the final in a time of 13.24secs. Not content with making 1 final Douglas, who attended the Scottish Borders Sports Academy earlier in the week, lined up for the heats of the 200m. She placed 2nd in her heat an 5th in the semi final to qualify for the final as a fastest loser in 27.59. In the final Douglas ran faster still in 27.49 for 5th place to round off a good day and weekend for Gala Harriers’ athletes.
