Expert coaching keeps Shetland cross country athletes on track

Shetland is a runner’s dream. Not only do these islands offer spectacularly beautiful routes and an invigorating climate, but they are home to a dynamic community of runners, excellent facilities and expert coaching.

The recent achievements of three Shetland teenagers are testament to the islands’ supportive running culture. 13-year-old Reeta Moncrieff, 15-year-old Caitlin Anderson and 16-year-old Layla Todd all did Shetland proud in the recent Inter Districts Cross Country Championships held in Renfrew

The three young Shetlanders have been keen runners from an early age. Primary school sports days and local cross country races sparked Reeta’s initial enthusiasm for athletics. She recalls: "I started running when I was about seven in the under-nine age group at the Shetland Athletics Club and have been running ever since.

"My mam and dad would also enter me in the local cross country events at the Dale Golf Course in the winter every time it was on."

Layla moved to Shetland when she was 7 and joined Shetland Athletics two years later, while Caitlin moved to Shetland two and a half years ago and started running for Shetland Athletics shortly after her move.

The three young runners have a busy training schedule, but their committed coaches, along with the support of their families and Shetland’s running community, help them to stay motivated.

Reeta explains: "I love going to the club training because the coaches are really supportive and nice and are willing to give up their time to help us with our athletics. Also, the people I train with make me feel included and part of a team, so I look forward to training each week."

The runners are unanimous in their praise for their coach, David Wagstaff. Layla says: ‘Dave is an absolutely amazing coach and pushes us every day to be better - even if that means giving us the most horrendous session that leaves us seeing stars!’

Caitlin agrees. ‘Dave knows so much about the sport and pays attention to everyone's individual needs as a coach. He does not care about your ability, only that you try and that you do the best you can do each day. He has helped me improve so much in the time he has coached me and has made such a big contribution to giving me all the opportunities I have had over the past couple years.’

In addition to local events, the three runners take advantage of the numerous opportunities they have, to compete further afield. Reeta says her recent event in Renfrew was ‘an excellent experience’.

She says: ‘The North team consisted of girls from all over the North of Scotland including the Western Isles. The North District cross country competition was held previously in December, in Elgin, and it was after that competition, that the North team was selected. It was good to have runners from Shetland in the north team.’

Reeta appreciates the opportunity to compete on a national level. She says: "The inter-district competition in Glasgow had around 70 runners in my race, which was quite scary, as it was by far the biggest race I've ever been in. But it was also really good to be able to test myself against so many other girls my age."

Caitlin also enjoys the opportunities to compete off-island. She says: "Shetland Amateur Athletic club goes down to a few competitions a year. This is made possible by NorthLink’s sponsorship of the club, making it cheaper and easier for everyone."

The three runners clearly feel that Shetland is a great place for runners of all abilities, citing the facilities, support and even the climate as positive factors.

Of the Shetland climate, Reeta says: "For cross country competitions away, the advantages are that we are used to all conditions after training outside in the Shetland winter." Caitlin agrees, adding: "It's often not as windy down there as it is up here which makes it easier to get the times I am going for on that day."

In addition to Clickimin’s running track, the islands offer a wide range of excellent running routes. However, there are also plenty of options for indoor running.

Reeta says: "Our training could be at the running track, the 60:40 (Lerwick’s indoor training facility), the Clickimin Games Hall or the Gilbertson Park, which are all really good. There are also some good paths around Lerwick which are good for running on."

However, it seems that the single most motivating factor for the three runners is the friendly running community they have found themselves part of and the wealth of running events which are on offer throughout the year.

Layla explains: "The advantage of training in Shetland is that there is a really good sporting community. The athletics club have track competitions throughout the summer season as well as cross countries at Dale and the Knab during winter. There is also Parkrun which is a volunteer run event in Bressay every Saturday, which me and my family will sometimes go to."

And all three runners enjoy the feeling of belonging that comes with running in Shetland. Caitlin says: "Because there is only one club, most runners know or at least recognise most other runners which makes the sport even more friendly than it already is."