Published: Monday, 1st December, 2008 12:30
Has sprint run its last race?
By David Knox
Comments (0)
Print Article
ONE of the oldest races in the world could have broken the tape for the last time.
Festival organisers in Peebles have spent the past month desperately trying to find a new secretary for the Beltane Sprint meeting.
Since hometown boy J Grieve won the first dash back in 1899 the famous sprint race has attracted thousands of the fastest men and women from across the world.
But the off-track race to find a replacement for outgoing secretary Paul Spence has yet to produce any entrants.
And a crisis meeting will be held on Monday evening to decide the 109-year-old race’s future.
David Turnbull from the Beltane Committee told the Peeblesshire News: “It’s not looking good at the moment.
“It is a big job and the organization of the games would normally start as early as a round now.
“Monday’s meeting is a general Beltane Committee meeting but the main topic will be the future of the Beltane Sprint.
“It would be sad to see it go.”
At its height in the mid 20th Century up to 3,000 spectators would gather to watch some of the world’s leading sprinters, such as American Barney Ewall, Australian Frank Banner, England’s Walter Spence and home heroes George McNeill and Ricky Dunbar.
Local athletics guru Charlie Russell told us: “It would be a terrible shame if the Beltane Sprint was to go.
“Runners from all over the world ran at Peebles.”
In recent years the athletics meeting, which incorporates Highland Dancing, hasn’t attracted such big crowds.
Alternative events and all-day pub opening are blamed for the decline over the past decade.
Ernie Blair from Border Athletics believes there is still hope for the historic race meeting. He said: “The Beltane Sprint is one of the highlights of the summer games calendar.
“There has been a recent resurgence in local athletics and we have witnessed more and more runners every year.
“I hope someone will come forward and save the Beltane Sprint.”
Paul Spence took over organizing the event around five years ago after Drew Fraser stood down.
But family commitments and pressures of work have forced the sports convener to resign from his post on the Beltane Committee.
Paul explained: “I’m simply too busy to continue.
“A few people have been asked to take over but nobody has volunteered as yet.”
Anyone who would like to become involved in organizing the Beltane Sprint should contact David Turnbull or Alan Beveridge.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
