The UK Athletics Championships have, at times, been somewhat lacking in intrigue and excitement. This year, however, could not be more different, particularly from a Scottish point of view.
As always, it’s not only British titles on the line, but also places in the GB team for the World Championships, which take place in Tokyo next month.
Going into this weekend, two Scots know their ticket to Tokyo is already confirmed.
Josh Kerr, as reigning 1500m world champion, has automatic qualification into this year’s World Championships and Megan Keith courtesy of her victory at the British 10,000m Championships in June but is absent this weekend, has ensured her place in the British team for the World Championships is also secured.
For the rest, however, this weekend is vitally important.
Selection is dependent upon athletes having secured World Athletics’ qualification mark, as well as finishing inside the top two at this year’s UK Championships. A third athlete can also be selected, at the discretion of the British selectors, as long as the athlete has the qualification standard under their belt.
With Kerr absent from the 1500m start list - the Olympic silver medallist will instead contest the 5000m this weekend rather than his specialist distance - things are somewhat more open than they may have been otherwise.
2022 world champion, Jake Wightman, has been plagued by injury since winning that world title three years ago but the past few months had suggested the Edinburgh runner was finally approaching something close to full fitness once again. The 31-year-old had been favourite for the British title this weekend but his last-minute withdrawal due to a stomach bug is a blip in his season that he could have done without.
Wightman's withdrawal means that his compatriot, Neil Gourley, is now the Scot with the best chance of victory, with the Glaswegian aiming for his third consecutive and fourth overall British outdoor 1500m title. However, Englishman Elliot Giles will push Gourley hard for top spot.
The women’s 1500m will be equally interesting.
Englishwoman Georgia Hunter Bell has been the stand-out British athlete this summer and as an Olympic medallist and British record holder over the distance, is tipped to successfully defend her 1500m outdoor title that she won for the first time last summer.
Former British number one, Laura Muir, will be her closest challenger.
Muir’s competitive appearances have been few and far between this year due to an injury-hit winter and the Milnathort native has looked some way off her best when she has competed. But despite this, it seems unlikely that Muir won’t do enough to book her ticket to Tokyo, even if she doesn’t add to the four British outdoor titles she already has to her name. Kilbarchan’s Jemma Reelkie will also be on the 1500m start line, as will Glaswegian Erin Wallace.
The women’s 800m carries a degree of jeopardy for Reekie in terms of World Championships qualification. With 800m Olympic champion, Keely Hodgkinson, missing this British Championships due to injury, assuming she’ll be fit come the World Championships, she’s all but guaranteed to be the selectors’ pick. Which leaves no room for error for Reekie as she aims for a top two spot.
With Hunter Bell doubling-up and running the 800m as well as the 1500m this weekend, the Englishwoman is tipped to win the 800m British title for the fist time. Taking into account Reekie’s experience and pedigree, she’s expected to come at least second but with 2024 Olympian Phoebe Gill on the start line, a ticket to Paris is by no means guaranteed for the Scot. Reekie’s compatriots, Wallace and Sarah Calvert could also push the favourites hard.
In the 3000m steeplechase, new Scottish record holder, Sarah Tait is on for a top two finish but will need to drop nine seconds on her personal best to secure World Championships selection.
In the sprints, Alyson Bell and Alisha Rees are in action, Nicole Yeargin is in the 400m while on the field, Nick Percy has already thrown the discus qualifying distance and only needs to finish inside the top two to ensure he’s heading to Tokyo.
