JUST 18 months after launching the Corstorphine AAC frame running group, the 2024 summer season was a hectic one for our dedicated athletes. From May to September, the calendar was filled with events and the frame runners’ hard work in training was rewarded with a string of personal bests. Equally important, though, has been the development of the athletes both as individuals and as a group, learning what their personal goals are – performance related or otherwise – and that they have lots of fun and enjoyment.
Here’s a round-up of the summer timetable:
Festivals
The first event of the season was the Pitreavie Frame Running Festival on May 18. Five of the six regular CAAC frame runners took part in the 100m, 200m and 400m, with Catherine and Ben competing in their first ever frame running event.
On June 2, it was Corstorphine’s turn to host our inaugural Frame Running Festival at Saughton. The event was a great success with 20 frame runners from six different clubs across Scotland attending. A total of 15 heats were run with a host of PBs and great performances across the board.
The final festival was on June 23 when Ian, Ben, Finlay and Paul took part in the Red Star Games at Crownpoint. This event was also being used as a classification clinic event and Paul was successfully classified as a T72 athlete.
World Abilitysport International Cup and development camp
On July 7, Ian and Finlay flew to Denmark to take part in the World Abilitysport International Cup and development camp, featuring more than 100 athletes from 22 countries.
Finlay won gold in the 100m T72 senior open, silver in both the 400m and 5,000m T72 senior open, and finished fourth in the 200m T72 International Cup. Ian won silver for the 100m, 200m and 400m T72 U14.
Sunset marathon relay
On the evening of July 6, five frame runners from three clubs took part in the Sunset Running Festival relay to complete a full marathon distance together as a team. The Flamerunners team was made up of Elaine, Catherine and Finlay from CAAC, Julie from Victoria Park City of Glasgow AC and Kirsty from Red Star AC.
With eight legs of 5.25km to complete, it meant that some of the team would need to do two stints. The mixed weather at Silverknowes/Cramond promenade didn’t dampen their spirits Elaine took the first leg with support runner Rhona at 4pm. They handed over the baton (timing chip) to Finlay, who completed two legs back-to-back with support runners Cameron (Team East Lothian coach) and CAAC athlete Ryan. Julie was up next with CAAC coach Graeme for a rainy fourth leg before Catherine and CAAC coach Fran embarked on another wet and windy 5.25km. Kirsty ran the sixth leg with CAAC coach Sarah and crossed the finish line for the changeover with Kirsty’s dog Fenton joining them. Julie and Graeme were up again for leg seven before Elaine and Rhona took the glory leg, bringing the team home in an amazing time of 5hrs 20mins – and immediately looking forward to doing it again next year.
National championships
Finlay took part in the 100m and 200m at the England Athletics Championships in Birmingham on July 20, achieving a PB in the 200m in the process.
On August 17, Finlay and Paul took part in the Senior National Track and Field Championships at Grangemouth for the first time. They competed in the 100m and 400m in front of a large crowd, both bagging a PB in the 400m.
The pair then returned to the same venue for the Scottish Disability Sport National Senior Track and Field Championships on September 11. Finlay set three championship records in the 100m, 200m and 400m, while Paul achieved a PB in the 100m and 200m.
Finlay was selected to compete in the 2024 UK School Games in the 100m. The event took place in Loughborough at the end of August and Finlay set the games record for the 100m FR. He also took part in the CP Sport National Athletics Championships, gaining a PB in the 200m.
Scottish Half Marathon
On August 18, following months of dedicated training, Elaine – and her new pink frame Luna – completed the Scottish Half Marathon in an amazing time of 2hrs 27mins, together with support runner Rhona. An amazing achievement, with Elaine enjoying a well-earned rum and coke at the finish!
Club championships
For the second year, frame running was integrated into the CAAC Club Championships, with Ian, Ben, Catherine, Elaine, Finlay and Paul each taking part in a run, jump and throw. Following on from Paul’s success last year, Finlay won the male frame runner award for 2024 while Catherine took home the female prize.
Active Schools
Coaches Graeme and Sarah visited Oaklands School, which provides adaptive and supportive learning, to deliver a frame running session for six pupils. Four further sessions were held, both at the school and at Saughton, giving the young people an opportunity to really push themselves on an athletics track instead of a playground. Further visits have been scheduled for once a month during term time.
Awards galore
Ian, 13, was awarded the Rotary Young Citizen Sporting Hero Award for 2024 in May. Ian has demonstrated that, given determination and perseverance, a disability does not need to be a barrier to achievement.
For the first time at the CAAC AGM and Awards, there was a Para-athlete of the Year award and the recipients for 2024 were Ian and Finlay. They initiated the start of the CAAC frame running group and have been a brilliant support to the other athletes that have subsequently joined.
The summer season came to a perfect close with two awards for CAAC at the Lothian Disability Sport Awards. Catherine won the Endeavour Award for athletes who have consistently driven to be the best they can be throughout the year. This can be consistently turning up to training, supporting others to achieve their best or pushing forward to reach their own goals. Her nomination noted her “warm and positive attitude, always cheerleading the rest of the team, stepping out of her comfort zone to compete in her first frame running competition, encouraging members of the MS community to come along and try frame running, and her involvement in research to highlight the positive impact frame running can have on people with the condition”.
CAAC also won the Lothian Disability Sport Club of the Year award.
What’s next?
We are delighted to have welcomed Chris and Jack to join us at Saughton on Tuesday evenings.
A new container at the track has provided us with additional safe and secure space to store the frames. A huge thank you to Roskel Contracts for fitting out the container.
New fundraising opportunities continue to be sought to help us purchase additional frames so we can invite more people to come along and get involved in frame running.
The club and our frame running coaches are dedicated to the continuing success of the group and look forward to another year seeing this amazing group of individuals developing and achieving their personal goals – whether that be PBs, improved fitness and strength, improved technique, supporting others, or simply coming along and enjoying taking part in the training. Everyone is welcome.
Get involved
If anyone is interested in a come-and-try session or would like to help coach the frame running group, please contact secretary@caac.org.uk