Falkirk Victoria Harriers enjoyed two highly successful weekends of championship athletics, with athletes from U14 through to Senior level producing podium finishes, personal bests, championship final appearances and plenty of performances to be proud of.

The club’s strength in depth was evident across the track and field events, with athletes competing in sprints, middle-distance races, hurdles, jumps and throws.

Among the U14 athletes, Ariana Bennett enjoyed a particularly strong weekend. She reached the 100m semi-final, finishing fifth in a new personal best of 14.10, before placing sixth in the 200m semi-final in 29.51. She also jumped 4.03m in the long jump. Alexa Sibbald also reached the 100m semi-final, finishing sixth in 14.24, while recording 4.10m in the long jump.

There were strong performances in the distance events, with Isla Hedges running a PB of 5:15.05 for 11th in the 1500m, while William Luke finished fifth in the boys' 1500m in a PB of 4:44.18. Erin Donaldson recorded 2:50.50 in the 800m.

Sophia-Belle Daye in action for Falkirk Victoria Harriers at the 4J Senior Championships in Aberdeen – the club enjoyed a successful event across the age groups (Photo: Bobby Gavin)

placeholder image — Sophia-Belle Daye in action for Falkirk Victoria Harriers at the 4J Senior Championships in Aberdeen – the club enjoyed a successful event across the age groups (Photo: Bobby Gavin)

Iris Foley reached the 75m hurdles final after finishing second in her heat, eventually placing eighth in 13.57, while Sophia Kimberly set a PB of 14.76 in her hurdles heat.

Hugo Koch was another standout, taking second place in the high jump with 1.41m, fifth in the javelin with a PB of 23.66m and fifth in the 80m hurdles after another PB of 15.15. Patrick McAtarsney threw 22.30m in the javelin for eighth.

The U16 squad continued the club's impressive showing. Kirsty Moffat claimed third place in the 200m in 26.09 before taking second in the long jump with 5.17m.

In the middle-distance events, Jude Elliot finished fifth in the 800m in 2:07.40, while Hamish Gillies ran a PB of 2:11.02 and Thomas Mitchell recorded 2:13.46. Ella Shepard also set a PB of 2:31.56 in the 800m.

The 1500m saw Adam Kinghorn finish fourth in 4:25.48, with Ben Upfold fifth in 4:27.47 and Thomas Luke ninth in 4:33.59. Amy Taylor finished fourth in the 300m hurdles final in 49.96, while Sophia-Belle Daye cleared 1.63m to take third in the high jump.

There was further success in the field, with Freya McMartin taking third in the javelin with 33.38m. Lucas Etheridge finished fifth in the discus with 26.15m and fourth in the shot put with 11.44m, while Austin Gardinier set PBs in both the discus, with 22.85m, and shot put, with 9.21m. Remy Carnegie also set a javelin PB of 25.91m.

The U18 athletes produced several excellent performances, led by Callan Campbell. He won his 100m heat in a PB of 11.43, improved to 11.36 in the semi-final and reached the final. Campbell also set a PB of 15.72 in the 100m hurdles and 30.23m in the discus.

Luke Sedman claimed an impressive second place in the 800m final in 2:06.42, while Harrison MacMillan enjoyed an outstanding 1500m campaign. After qualifying in 4:26.29, he finished fifth in the final in a PB of 4:07.11 before taking second in the 1500m steeplechase in 4:27.14.

Aine McAtarsney reached the 400m final, finishing eighth in 1:01.45 after a PB of 1:00.61 in her heat, while Zoe Spowart took second in the triple jump with 10.45m.

The U20 athletes also added to the medal tally. Enam Evong finished fifth in both the 100m and 200m finals, setting PBs of 12.65 and 25.87 respectively. Victoria Anestik took second in the shot put with 11.07m and also jumped 5.05m in the long jump.

Callum Hendry claimed second place in the 1500m in 4:01.96, while Isabella Ogg ran a PB of 4:39.35 for fourth. Alannah Snowden also set a PB of 15.93 in the 100m hurdles before finishing fifth in the long jump with 5.27m.

There was further success from athletes competing up an age group, with Jorjey Dooley finishing fourth in both the U20 long jump and high jump, while Isla Clements took fifth in the high jump. Josie Anderson threw a PB of 27.95m in the discus for fourth.

At U23 level, Sofia Vidak produced one of the performances of the weekend, winning the 800m in an excellent 2:05.48. Luca Capanni ran 11.20 in his 100m heat before improving to 11.06 in the semi-final, where he finished seventh, while Jonathan Faulks reached the 800m final after running 2:00.85 in his heat.

The Senior athletes also made their mark, with Benjamin MacMillan securing a superb third place in the 5000m in 14:27.40. Callum Little finished eighth in 15:20.94, while U20 athlete Snowden competed up in the Senior long jump and 100m hurdles, finishing seventh and eighth respectively.

With podium finishes, championship finals and a host of personal bests across all age groups, it was a hugely encouraging couple of weekends for Falkirk Victoria Harriers.

From the youngest athletes gaining valuable championship experience to the club's senior competitors battling for podium places, the performances demonstrated the continued progress being made throughout the club.