Kirkcaldy’s Ben keeps athletics running in the family

Over 100 years previously, his great-great grandfather, George Sandilands, had also earned his first Scotland vest, finishing fourth in the 100 yards at the Scotland v Ireland international athletics event at Ibrox Park, Glasgow in 1910.

“I didn’t know about my great-great grandfather until my Pops gave me his 1910 Scotland cap after my own debut for Scotland in Ireland,” Ben said.

“I’m very proud to have it.”

Although George Sandilands, a member of Edinburgh Harriers, had started out as a sprinter, he left an endurance legacy which included the donation of the East District league shield.

The Sandilands Shield was first presented to the Senior Men’s winners in 1927-28 and it remains the oldest trophy in the East District League.

Sandilands donated other trophies too. One is currently presented to the first person across the line in Fife AC’s Boxing Day handicap race in Kirkcaldy and another, in memory of his daughter Doris, was historically given by Fife Schools to the winning senior girls track team in the Fife Championships.

Sandilands was an architect by trade, and according to the Dictionary of Scottish Architects, sport had always played a large part in his life.

“When young he gained international recognition as a member of the Scottish Athletic team and later served as a judge and timekeeper for the Scottish Amateur Association for over 35 years,” the website states.

He became president of Kirkcaldy YMCA Harriers and later was a director at Raith Rovers before his death in Kirkcaldy on December 10, 1967 aged 84, but his son George (1914-85) followed in his sporting footsteps and also ran cross country for Kirkcaldy YMCA.

Great-great grandson Ben is now blazing his own trail.

Since his Scotland debut in Antrim at the age of 14, he’s enjoyed success regionally and nationally both on the track and in cross country, including leading Scotland East to silver with an impressive second place at January’s Inter-District Cross Country Championships in Stirling.

“I joined Fife AC just before I turned 11,” he says.

“I love running and I have a great running group and great coaches, Steve Doig and Andy Scott.

“I’d definitely like to run for Scotland again.”

• This article first appeared in PB Magazine.