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FEMALES ENCOURAGED TO GO THE DISTANCE
FEMALES ENCOURAGED TO GO THE DISTANCE
writes SHANE FENTON
Vast numbers of female athletes take part in endurance races. From 5k parkruns to 10ks through to half and full marathons as well as cross country events.
Very few however take to the grass tracks of the Highland Games circuit to participate in the longest race under SHGA rules, the 3200 metres handicap, this is even with the luxury of a handicap system which makes it in theory an equal playing field. Even more of a rarity is the number of females who have actually won a 3200 metres race on the Games circuit.
I have done a quick bit of research on the 3200 races in the 20 year period from 2000 to date. It won't be fully concise but does highlight the fact that there is not a huge number of female athletes participating in these races.
On average around sixteen 3200m/3000m metres handicaps takes place each season. That is well over 300 races for the aforementioned period.
The statistics reveal however, of that total, only 11 have been won by only six different female athletes.
Rebecca Burns has had 3 wins with Sarah Inglis, Angela Bell and Kathryn Pennell each with two and Sheena Logan and Jill Horsburgh completing the total with one apiece.
In contrast this event regularly attracts many of Scotland's highest ranked male endurance athletes.
FEMALE WINS IN 3200/3000 Handicaps
2007- SARAH INGLIS Lothian RC at Oban.
2009 - SARAH INGLIS Lothian RC at Markinch.
2010 - KATHRYN PENNELL Pitreavie AC at Burntisland & JILL HORSBURGH Linlithgow AAC at Ceres.
2011 - KATHRYN PENNELL at Thornton.
2016 - REBECCA BURNS Edinburgh AC at Markinch.
2017 - ANGELA BELL Forfar at Strathmore & REBECCA BURNS Edinburgh AC at Ceres.
2018 - REBECCA BURNS Edinburgh AC at Braemar.
2019 - SHEENA LOGAN Fife AC at Markinch and ANGELA BELL Forfar at Strathmore.
[The photos are from random venues, Jill & Kathryn in same pic]
Published: 2020-06-10 11:10:15
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