Highland Games – a different kind of athletics experience

Highland Games are well known for its heavy strength (throws) events such as tossing the Caber, Scots Hammer or Weight over the Bar but  fewer people might associate the Highland Games with proper track and field events.  People familiar with the  Eric Liddell Story might recall a scene from the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ where the great Scotsman could be seen participating in a Highland Game’s race during his earlier career. Many events offer in fact a variety of track & field events and also attract top class athletes. One attraction for athletes to compete at these events might be due to the fact that organizers offer prize money for the various events, which could present an opportunity to earn some extra pocket money. For the talented athletes, who tours the various events  throughout the season, that could even lead to a nice additional income (see news report Mull Highland Games, where ‘ The total open jumps prize money this year is £750.’

While on holiday in the Highlands we decided to watch the Inverness Highland Games held on 20th July at the traditional Northern Meeting Park, which looked to me a grand venue with the  type of Grandstand you sometimes see on TV watching a cricket game. Funny enough the weather was the same what you usually associate with watching a mid summer cricket match down South with high temperatures, where spectators including us were looking for shade under the Grandstand at times.

The entry fee was reasonably prized and to our delight there was also a good track & field program on offer, open to anyone and totally free. So after a short discussion we decided to participate just for the fun and to experience the different experience.

The one thing we quickly noticed was that there were a lot of yellow vests with a red strip belonging to Inverness Harrier and the stadium speaker announced that a famous Harrier, Jamie Bowie (400m runner) was noticeably missing from this year’s event due to unforeseen success in the British Championships. Another familiar face was Alison Rogers, Scotland’s top shot putter and Glasgow 2014 prospect, who was taking part in the female heavy events.

Evie Bartl, U15, was first in action and despite treating the whole affair as a fun event won comfortably her shot put event  and collected her prize money of £10, which was a welcome extra pocket money for just turning up and throwing 3 times , with her best of around the 8m mark. She could have pocketed probably another envelope of prize money as she was also entered for the long jump but this event had unfortunately being held at the same time.

I myself came better prepared and had at least my track suit and proper trainers with me; and of course my newly purchased blue Harriers T shirt (2 for £15 – what a bargain). While warming up for my senior high jump competition (no masters event), I was well pleased to hear that the Harriers T shirt was noticed by at least one spectator, who shouted words of encouragement like ‘Come on Killie’… The high jump, which was held on grass surface in the middle of the field went better than expected and although I did not win any prize money, I was well pleased with my clearance of 1.45m. This was certainly a different experience, jumping on grass, having bag pipes in the background, having a wrestling match going on a few meters away and being not too far away from the ‘strong guys’ who were throwing a 25kg weight over a high bar. The height looked to me higher than I can actually pole vault, with the best throwers managing probably over 3m.

Speaking about strong man, I was in for a surprise myself as my own shot put event was with the heavier weight of 7.25kg (usually 6kg for masters). However, determined to give it a good go I actually threw for my own standards a good distance with the best throw of 8.04m. I am usually happy when trowing over 8m with the lighter 6kg shot, so having achieved this mark with the heavier implement made my day complete.

Having already mentioned how my newly purchased bright blue Harriers T shirt had attracted attention at the Highland Games, I was even more surprised when the next day a guy came up to me while we were sitting in a cafe in the Findhorn Community. The guy asked if I was a member of Kilmarnock Harriers and if I knew Matt Dodds, as he knew Matt while living in the Irvine Valley. It just shows what a good advertising effect our new T shirts have if worn like a fashion item; people around Scotland appear to be recognizing our blue colors and the associated name.

While driving home I had the thought how nice it would be if we could see a large contingent of blue T shirts, athletes from the junior section making the short trip to Arran  on 10th August for the Brodick Highland Games. North Ayrshire athletes have dominated the event in the past years and why not give them a run for the money in the literal sense, although juniors might  enjoy the prospect of winning some prize money, its definitely a great day out for the whole family.