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MARKINCH 'ON MARKS' TO KICK OFF FIFE GAMES SEASON

MARKINCH 'ON MARKS' TO KICK OFF FIFE GAMES SEASON writes Shane Fenton

It's all systems go for the first of the Fife Highland Games at Markinch on Sunday.

Good entries have been received for all events. The Open 90 metres sprint will be run off in five heats and carries a first prize of £200. The distance events also look set to be well contested with good fields declared for the 800,1600 and 3200 metres handicaps. The Youth running entry is up on last year which is encouraging.

Invitation 90 metres races will be held for Open,Vets,Women and Youth's with the latter featuring 3 boys and three girls in line with the new equality regulations.

Similar to last year there is a big entry for the Cycle events with 16 entries for the Open races including Charles Fletcher and Gavin Shirley who  were seperated by inches at the end of the Scottish 8000 metres Championship last year. With the recent rain i wouldn't expect the Dixon Park track to be riding as fast as then. The Youth cycle races also look set to be well contested.

The heavy events will be as popular as ever and a good field is expected to contest the 7 disciplines.

A number of ground records have been broken in recent years including 12 months ago when Vlad Tulacek, Czech Republic revised the figures for the 22lb shot putt, and of course the 28lb weight for distance world record was set by Gregor Edmunds in 2011.

For those who like the sight of tartan, solo piping and highland dancing competitions will take place outwith the main arena. The pipe band contest which is the oldest in Scotland gets underway at 12 noon with the grand march past and presentation of prizes at the close of the games.

The weather forecast currently shows light  rain in the morning clraring in the afternoon with temps of 17c.

All the Open the track events get underway at 12.30pm.

Published: 2019-05-31 10:58:24