‘Emotional’ Annabel hits the ground running at Fife 5k

Annabel Simpson, Jenny Selman, Laura Gibson and Sarah Coutts were invited to participate in the small Scottish Athletics pilot event, which provided some of Scotland’s best distance runners the rare opportunity to race during such challenging times.

Annabel got out hard from the start and led the race from gun to tape in a dominant showing.

The hilly five-lap course, with an uphill stretch to finish, and the near freezing conditions didn’t stop her from posting a pleasing fast time.

Her winning time of 16.28 was only three seconds outside her personal best, which was set at the Scottish 5k Championships in 2018 on a faster course and in warmer conditions.

Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds duo Naomi Lang and Rebecca Johnson made up the podium places, running 16.44 and 16.51 respectively.

Jenny Selman ran her second fastest 5k, placing eighth in 17.16, Laura Gibson ran a personal best of 17.28, and U20 athlete Sarah Coutts made her 5k debut in a time of 18.06.

Annabel said afterwards: “I actually feel quite emotional because it is so long since we’ve all raced and just getting together on the start line with folk was so much fun again.

“I think it is a good venue.

“For a Covid-19 event, with nobody else around or out on the course, like members of the public at Silverknowes or wherever, it worked really well.

“Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen.”

The men’s race was won by Jonny Glen of Inverclyde AC (14.06) from Jamie Crowe of Central AC (14.08) and Kris Jones of Dundee Hawkhill Harriers (14.10).

Road racing has suffered significantly this year, with this being the first race in Scotland since early March, and it’s hoped that the pilot event will help Scottish Athletics to develop ways to keep competition going over the winter months in a safe and covid-friendly way.