READY.. SET..GROW

Alex only took up athletics to help with his football after growing pains....now he's racing clear of the competition

- DAVID MCCARTHY

A GLASGOW schoolboy sprinter has been tipped for the top just six months after taking up athletics to help with growing pains.

Alex Clark, already 5ft 11in at 13 years old, was playing in the Morton youth set-up when his dad Derek took him to athletics coach Sean Watson at the Emirates Arena after being advised sprint training could help his football.

Former Scotland 400m runner Watson immediately spotted untapped potential in the teenager, who runs with the Giffnock North Athletics Club.

And in his first six months in the sport, Alex is the topranked 200 and 300m Under-15 runner in the country and second best in 60m.

His coach reckons the sky's the limit if the Williamwood High School pupil continues on his current trajectory.

Watson said: "I've been BY DAVID MCCARTHY working with Alex the past six months. He came to me initially to get quicker with his football.