CALLUM HAWKINS HAS HAD A YEAR TO REMEMBER SINCE WINNING IN GLASGOW. NOW HE WANTS TO TURN PROMISE INTO PRIZES, WRITES EUAN CRUMLEY
THE look on Callum Hawkins’ face said it all. As he stormed down the finishing straight in the sunshine, and in blissful isolation, the young Scot couldn’t quite believe what he’d done.
Winning the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run last year was hugely significant for the 25-year-old, whose hands went to his head and jaw hit the floor when he glanced around to see the clock reading 60:24 – a time which was over two minutes faster than the Scottish half-marathon record at the time.
Unfortunately, Hawkins’ mark was subsequently annulled after the Glasgow course was found to have been 149.7m short but, even allowing for the measurement error, his performance had represented a great leap forward.
That run was 12 months ago, when he was also still digesting the achievement of a remarkable top 10 finish in the Olympic marathon, and Hawkins now finds himself operating on a very different level to the one he was performing at as the first leaves of last autumn began to fall.
December saw him come home from the European Cross Country Championships with an impressive individual bronze medal, as well as team gold, while 2017 was barely under way when he came agonisingly close to winning the Great Edinburgh XC after a stirring performance in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat.
Esta historia es de la edición October 5, 2017 de Athletics Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 5, 2017 de Athletics Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Carbon Footprint
You'd have had to have been running on a different planet to miss all the recent debate about carbon-plated shoes. The talk of bans and performance enhancement has been so widespread that even non-runners are asking their running friends about the potentially magical footwear.
Trail time
WHEN looking for a trail or off-road running shoe, it’s often all about the grip. However, given that no two paths are the same, careful consideration is required. What’s the terrain like where you’ll wear the shoes the most? If you’ll be negotiating soft, wet and muddy conditions then look for deeper lugs. For tackling gravel tracks and forest trails then more evenly spaced lugs will work better. When it comes to cushioning, consider how hard the ground will be; if it’s soft then you’ll be fine in low-profile shoes, but on those firmer tracks reasonable cushioning will be called for.
Stay neutral
EVOLVING every year, if not month, neutral cushioned shoes are seeing developments in cushioning materials and dynamics at a pace which is nothing short of astonishing. The latest models feature new polymers in the midsoles to give them a cushioned feel while at the same time keeping their weight to a minimum. Give them a spin and choose the most comfortable for mile after mile of shock absorbing running.
Support network
WHEN it comes to ‘over-pronation’, a common question is ‘how much is over?’. With no hard and fast rules, it’s best to choose a shoe that instinctively feels right. Gait analysis can often assist in helping you make this choice and your specialist running store is always a good place to start if in doubt. To help you make that choice, here’s a selection of some of the best ‘support’ shoes around.
Need for speed
THE racing shoe segment of the market is becoming somewhat split. This is partially due to the rise of carbon-plated footwear but also the fact that many shoes are becoming much lighter. Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders to toe the line in.
Gadget show
WITH technological products to enhance every area of life, running is now no different. From headphones to treadmills, the devices to aid performance and recovery are endless. Here we take a look at some of the latest gadgets and gizmos to enhance your training.
What's in a shoe?
We bust some of the jargon around footwear
How To Prime Your Immunity
Taking steps to shore your body’s defences has never been more important. Here’s how to do it, says Peta Bee
English Schools Survival At Stake
Covid-19 could lead to ESAA losing thousands this summer
Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out
Unprecedented calendar changes due to Covid-19
