Our running clubs need you more than ever, says Fife AC’s Derek Rae

The Paralympian, a silver medallist in his classification at the World Para Athletics Marathon Cup in London last year, is a hugely popular figure on the endurance scene.

And Derek believes that, as the coronavirus crisis affects many areas of everyday life, it is vital that athletes continue to support their clubs and the governing body with subscription and membership contributions if possible.

“We are all experiencing tough times at the moment and we need to support each other as much as we can,” said Derek.

“I am asking you today to support your running club and Scottish Athletics by keeping your membership active, please.

“If ever there was a time our club needed us more than ever then now is that time.

“I am a proud member of Fife AC and I do know how much it would mean for and be appreciated by them for me to keep my membership atcitve.

“So, please, stay safe, well and healthy . . . and let’s support our sport.”

Scottishathletics backed Derek’s message and said it hoped athletes would continue to back their clubs.

The body is made up of around 150 member clubs across the country, offering opportunities for people of all ages to try out, train, embrace and compete in the various disciplines of athletics – and at all levels from jogging, through its jogscotland network, to Olympic and Commonwealth Games levels.

A spokesman for scottishathletics said: “Everyone at scottishathletics would echo (Derek’s) sentiments and ask you to keep on supporting your clubs as much as you are able in difficult times.

“Our own membership renewals are essential to us moving forward as we seek to ‘come out the other side’ of Covid-19 with the excitement, momentum and growth of recent years intact.”