Scottish Highland Games Association

Stirling, Helmsdale & Crieff all set to thrill.

SHANE FENTON previews the weekend action

Another hectic weekend on the Highland Games circuit is in prospect with the Stirling Highland Games and Helmsdale & District Highland Games on Saturday and the Crieff Highland Gathering on Sunday.

This will be the Stirling Highland Games fourth year at their new venue of Stirling Sports Village, the games park is situated to the rear of the Stirling Albion FC and right next to the Stirling County CC.

Athletes will have a full programme of events with Open races over 90m, 200m, 400m, 800m and1600m all handicaps, with the Youth athletes contesting 90m, 200m, 400m and 800 metres.

All track and field events have six prizes with the winner of the Open 90 metres carrying off a prize of £250.

The strongmen will have all their usual disciplines, also on the in-field there will be competition for the jumpers with long and triple jump competitions. Grass track cycling features four races for Open competitors.

A full programme of Highland dancing will take place throughout the afternoon. Full details

http://stirlinghighlandgames.com/index.php/shop

Also on Saturday, games enthusiasts in the North of the country will be making their way to Couper Park for the Helmsdale & District Highland Games. Once again there is a full programme of heavy events, running, cycling[open & youth], light field[LJ,TJ & HJ], tug o war and highland dancing. The games also feature the SHGA Scottish Hill Race Championships .Open running events take place over 90m,200m,400m,800m and 1500m there's also a Women's 100m.

Full details:http://www.helmsdalegames.co.uk/competitors.html

Sunday brings the Crieff Highland Gathering which is one of the biggest events on the annual games circuit calendar. The highlight at Market Park as ever will be the Scottish Heavy Events Championship, it is the title all Highland games heavy event competitors World wide want on their CV.

On the track there will be a full programme of running and cycling events, Open handicaps will be run over all distances from 90m up to 1600 metres[all handicaps] with the top prize of the day the £300 which goes to the victor in the 90m. The Youths have races over 90m, 200m and 1600m with the bikers competing over 800m, 1600m, 3200m and Deil.

Jumping events have been on the rise in recent years on the games circuit attracting many of Scotland's top ranked athletes. Last years SHGA Athlete of the Year was jumper Allan Hamilton. Crieff will stage High,Long and Triple Jump competitions

The Tug o' War is always an attraction for the crowds and if it's the sight of tartan you enjoy well outside the main arena a full programme of highland dancing, pipe bands and solo pipers will entertain you throughout the proceedings.

http://www.crieffhighlandgathering.com/

Another thrilling weekend looks in prospect on the Games circuit lets hope the weather plays it's part.

Published: 2017-08-17 21:13:21