GLASGOW city centre on a Friday evening may be the scene of more staggers and stumbles than vertical leaps as the working week comes to a close, writes Mark Woods.
However, last night there was pole vaulting in the middle of George Square as part of a plan to take athletics out of its normal habitat and into full view of the masses.
It was the opening gambit in the Scottish Championships which will continue for the remainder of the weekend in the more familiar surroundings of Scotstoun Stadium.
Amid last night’s drizzle, Nick Critchley soared highest above the gathered crowds, winning the event with 5.31 metres.
“It was brilliant to have it out here,” the Englishman said. “It really pumps you up even more than usual. I’m pleased to have won. It’s just a bit bittersweet because I didn’t quite get the qualifier for the World University Games.”
The championships have a more favourable date in the calendar than in previous years: the leading lights of Scottish athletics have been rounded up as they build towards the forthcoming world championship trials.
Eilidh Child, the Commonwealth Games hurdles silver medallist, will race over 400 metres with the heats taking place this afternoon. Fresh from victory in Brussels last weekend, Child has a chance to impress the UK Athletics selectors as they consider their relay options for Daegu.
“It’s not my event so I can just enjoy it, as much as I’d ever enjoy a 400m,” Child said. “I want to see where I stand and it won’t do me any harm to bring my times down over the distance.”
Gemma Nicol will miss the race with a knee injury while Lee McConnell has opted to enter tomorrow’s 200m.
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