Athletics: ScottishPower continue to energise young athletes.

A PAIR of trainers and a passion for sport has been energising youngsters at this year's ScottishPower sponsored athletics events.

The energy giant announced at the start of this year that it would continue to assist grassroots athletics in the country through a new two-year deal with scottishathletics and the Scottish Schools Athletics Association (SSAA).

Commonwealth hurdling hero Chris Baillie has been a great supporter of ScottishPower's Energising Scotland's Youth programme and hopes that many kids will continue to follow in his footsteps by taking up the sport.

He said: "Athletics is all about having as much fun as possible and being able to enjoy yourself, especially when you're young and just starting out.

"It's important to remember that all you need is a pair of trainers and a passion for athletics - it's how I started out."

So far, the 2007 athletics calendar has taken athletes and their supporters across Scotland, to Perth, Falkirk, Irvine and Kirkcaldy. More than 5,000 athletes have hit the tracks.

Jim Paterson, sales and marketing director of ScottishPower, said: "We are delighted to be able to continue this successful relationship with scottishathletics and the SSAA for the third year running.

"Over the past two years, we are proud to have witnessed these kids develop into professional, young athletes, using their own energy on the track, rather than wasting energy using computers and televisions.

"I'd like to thank all the volunteers, parents and supporters who help out at every ScottishPower-sponsored event.

"Without their assistance, the events would not run as smooth as they do."

The third year of sponsorship is looking to be more successful than ever. Over 7,000 athletes benefited from the deal in 2006 alone.

Geoff Wightman, Chief Executive of scottishathletics, said: "Having enjoyed a very successful relationship with ScottishPower, we are delighted to be joining forces once again.

"Throughout our sponsorship, we have seen thousands of young people taking part in these ScottishPower-sponsored events, many being at the grassroots level of athletics.

"It's important for kids to remember that it's not all about winning with athletics - it's getting out on the track and taking part that really counts."

This year's sponsorship kicked off in February - at Calendar Park, Falkirk - with the National Cross Country Championships.

Almost 1,000 athletes from as far north as Shetland and as far south as the Borders gathered at the starting blocks to compete in one of the most popular events in the athletics calendar.

With more than pounds 5,000 of prize money up for grabs, thanks to ScottishPower, the event was more competitive than ever.

One of the stars to emerge from the day was Emily Owens (pictured) of Edinburgh Southern Harriers who won gold in the Under-13s category. She narrowly defeated favourite Alice Haining of Gala Harriers, who took second place.

The National Cross Country Championships has a tremendous history with former World 10,000m champion Liz McColgan, former Commonwealth 10,000m champion Lachie Stewart and current European Junior and Commonwealth Youth 1500m champion Morag MacLarty among the ranks of previous winners.

Another popular event was the Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships - at Irvine's Beach Park in March - where almost 1,500 athletes from nearly 150 schools across Scotland swapped text books for trainers to compete for a space on the winners' podium.

Under the banner of "Energising Scotland's Youth", there are still a number of ScottishPower events to take place in various venues across Scotland between now and the end of the year.

'It's important for kids to remember that it's not all about winning with athletics - it's getting out on the track and taking part that really counts'

CAPTION(S):

MOMENT OF GLORY: Giffnock North's Grant Muir wins gold in the boys U-13s event in Perth; PHOTO FINISH: Emily Owens of Edinburgh Southern Harriers pips Gala Harriers' Alice Haining to the post for gold in the U-13s