Andy Butchart insists landing an elusive major medal is top of his wish list after coming through his long-waited comeback unscathed.
The Olympic finalist, 27, claimed fourth place in the 3000 metres at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston in his first race since breaking his foot last February.
It’s full steam ahead, says the Scot, who’ll run the 1500m at next month’s Muller Grand Prix in Birmingham before hunting the British indoor title.
But after kicking himself for passing up on certain gold at the 2017 European Indoors in Belgrade, Butchart is determined to complete his return with a title at this year’s edition in Glasgow in March.
“It definitely is my target,” he said. “I don’t know if I’d be as focused on the championships if they weren’t in Glasgow. But being at home, being able to race in front of a home crowd, makes it so much more important.
“I reckon there’ll be a massive contingent of Scottish athletes in the British team because they’re going to put much more into this schedule than the other home nations. A lot of us want to make that team.”
Chris O’Hare looks set to switch up from the 1500m and go head to head with Butchart after finishing one place behind his training partner in a personal best of 7:47.78 with Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet taking victory.
Lynsey Sharp was second behind the USA’s Raeven Rogers in the 600m in Boston in 1:29.11 while Guy Learmonth lowered his personal best to 1:46.98 in the 800m to come fifth.
Elsewhere in the USA, Neil Gourley earned victory in the mile at the Washington Indoors meeting in Seattle in 3:58.12 in his debut for the Oregon Track Club.
Meanwhile, Zoey Clark believes she’s on track to earn a European shot after ending up just outside her own personal best with a 200 metres victory at the Scottish Indoor Championships.
The double world championship medallist ran 23.60 seconds after earlier coming second in the 60m final.
“I was happy with the 60m time, too. It was good to get a competitive women’s race like that,” Clark said.
“So these should set me up well for a return to 400m in the British Champs and Euro Trials in a couple of weeks in Birmingham.”
Morgan Lake equalled the British indoor high jump record with a jump of 1.97m in Hustopec.
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