Peeblesshire News | Sport | Grandfather of athletics hangs up his spikes

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Friday, 4th July, 2008 12:00

Grandfather of athletics hangs up his spikes

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THE grandfather of sprint coaching in Scotland is finally hanging up his stopwatch after 50 years in the sport.

Charlie Russell officially announced his retirement this week.

And the 70-year-old from Innerleithen, who is the current Tweeddale Sports Council coach of the year, confirmed he wouldn’t be drawn back to the track.

He told the Peeblesshire News: “I feel the time is right to quit.

“Running takes up a lot of my life and I’m away at meetings a lot so it will be good to get a rest.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of being involved with all the runners but I can’t go on forever.”

Russell trained the current New Year Sprint champion, Craig Robertson from Galashiels, and has also guided West Linton’s Stacey Downie to becoming the best Under-23 200 metres runner in the UK.

And dozens of other youngsters have also come through Russell’s coaching school to reach championship titles and records.

Stacey Downie told us: “I was really shocked when Charlie told me the news.

“I have been coached by Charlie for 10 years and would never have gotten as far as I have without him.

“He doesn’t get paid for any of the work he does – he does it because he loves it – and you won’t find anyone more committed.

“It is sad in many ways but I’m sure Charlie will still be watching how I am doing.”

But it’s not all about the elite athletes.

David Knox, athletics correspondent with the Peeblesshire News, commented: “I don’t think Charlie has ever turned a runner away.

“He has a way of getting the best out of anyone, even those that don’t have a great deal of natural ability.

“Charlie Russell will be sadly missed both locally and nationally in the world of athletics and I hope he does pop along to the occasional meeting from time to time.”

Russell, who was at Bedford last week to watch Downie claim gold in the UK Under 23s Championships, has already retired from athletics on a couple of previous occasions and been tempted back both times.

But he is adamant there won’t be any U-turn this time. Charlie added: “I have spoken to all of my runners and they understand that I can’t come back.

“I have spoken with other coaches about taking my runners on and I’ll just enjoy the spare time I have.”

As well as guiding the region’s leading athletes he has also trained many of the Borders’ top rugby players.

The great-grandfather will bow out at tomorrow’s Hawick Youth Games where several of his school’s leading youngsters are entered.

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