Eilidh Child has high hopes for hurdles after 400m PB wins home title

AS the principal attraction at the Scottish Athletics Championships, Eilidh Child possessed little capacity to disappoint. Making a rare diversion away from the familiar terrain of the hurdles into the flat 400 metres, the 24-year-old was clearly the class act in the field at Glasgow's Scotstoun Stadium and so it proved as she duly claimed the national title.

What was a surprise, at least to Child herself, was the time. A new personal best of 52.28 seconds, an effort that had her doubled up afterwards in sheer exhaustion, was good enough to take her to fifth in the UK rankings. It also left the Commonwealth Games silver medallist to ponder what potential remains unfulfilled in her preferred discipline if her Bath-based coach Malcolm Arnold can iron out the kinks in her approach.

"When I crossed the line and saw the time, I was really happy," she said. "It really gives me confidence that my hurdles should be faster. This gave me an idea of how quick my basic flat speed is so it's now about getting my technique and stride patterns right."

Lee McConnell watched on and signalled her approval. The veteran has ceded her place as Scotland's leading performer but she is not yet ready to head into retirement. Holding off Stacey Downie to win the 200 metres in a respectable 23.49secs, McConnell will now join Child in turning her attention to the world championship trials in Birmingham in two weeks time. And she believes that UK Athletics must now consider her fellow Scot for a place in Britain's relay squad.

"They're going to have to with that time," said McConnell. "None of the other girls are running much quicker. Nicola Sanders ran a 52.5 the other week. But there's definitely a spot open." With UK number one Shana Cox ineligible for the worlds after switching allegiance from the USA last winter, Child would not refuse an approach. Hopefully they will keep me in mind," she confirmed. "I thought they might do after Delhi. I was faster in the relay there than any of the English girls. I've just not had a chance to do a relay this year."

In conditions that ranged from blustery to horrendous, the sprinters, with the wind on their backs, were the sole beneficiaries. Nick Smith secured a seventh Scottish 100m crown in 10.37secs, holding off Ryan Oswald who then claimed the 200m title in 21.38secs. "What cost me in the 100 was speed out of the blocks," Oswald said. "So I had to come out fighting. I'm pleased with this. I just hope that next year I can have a full winter and then be really competitive."

Chris Baillie took his fifth 110m hurdles championship in a final that had just three competitors while Pat Swan secured the 400m prize in 47.90secs, revealing he is to switch his training base to Pitreavie to link up with coach Stuart Hogg."He's got a good record of bringing through senior elite athletes and taking them to the next level," he said.

There were wins for Jayne Nisbet in the high jump and Andy Frost in the hammer to boost their hopes of repeating the feat in the UK Championships.

Elsewhere, Eilish McColgan vowed to bounce back after the 20-year-old finished sixth in the 3000m steeplechase at the European Under-23 Championships. "I'd have been happier if I'd run sub-9:50," she said.

"But you can see I've still got a lot to learn in the event and I think I can go close to 9:40 next year."