Athletics: Learmonth has himself in the running

Lasswade runner Learmonth took to the indoor track for the first time ever this year and flourished, winning the Scottish Senior and England Under-20 titles and finishing fifth at the UK Championships.

The 18-year-old clocked a best of 1:50.25 minutes, set on the way to England Under-20 gold, from his eight outings a time that ranks him third on the all-time British indoor junior 800m records.

His time is just over a second-and-a-half shy of David Sharpe's 24-year-old mark, while his overall best of 1:49.23 mins is seven tenths short of the record.

Learmonth has since moved to Loughborough University and he is targeting not only Sharpe's record but a debut at March's European indoors in Paris.

"I haven't got a set plan just yet - I ran indoors for the first time at the end of January this year and I really want to try and push for that British record," said Learmonth, who is one of over 300 athletes supported through Bank of Scotland Countdown Camps every year.

"I am setting my targets quite high and I will have to take nearly a second off my personal best but it is best to aim high. My coach and I have also said I should try and get the qualifying time for the European.

"This year was my first proper indoor season and I ended up breaking five Scottish records so indoors went quite well."

Despite a promising indoor season this year, Learmonth saw any hopes of repeating the trick in outdoor competitions severely hampered by a viral infection in his small intestine.

And while eyeing an indoor season to remember, Learmonth isn't shying away from the fact that July's European Junior Championships hold the upmost importance.

"I really want to qualify for the European juniors and want to get the time early. Anything aside from that would be a bonus."

n Bank of Scotland is a major sponsor of Scottish athletics, supporting developing athletes through a range of national age group championships and National and Regional Countdown Camps throughout the year.