Andrew Baird breaks Ross County club record to become Scottish Schools 1500 metres champion
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Andrew Baird has been crowned Scottish Schools 1500 metres champion as he broke a 32-year-old Ross County Athletics Club record to take the title.
The third year Fortrose Academy pupil took national gold in a personal best time of four minutes 19.20 seconds.
Baird (14) broke the club record which had stood since 1990 by three seconds.
The Culbokie teenager says he aimed for a place on the podium and was delighted to be crowned champion.
“I was four seconds faster than my previous personal best and I was pleased with how I ran,” said Baird.
“I was targeting at least a top five finish or get a place on the podium.
“But as the race progressed I became more confident.
“I knew the majority of the names I was racing against.
“I knew one of the athletes would try and lead the race so I sat behind him for the first lap.
“Then in the final lap I overtook him and won.”
Baird has had an excellent 2022 which included winning the Under-15 North Cross Country League Championship recording a clean sweep of wins during the season.
He won silver at the Scottish Under-17 Athletics Championship earlier this month in the 3000 metres.
He also finished fifth at the Scottish Cross Country Championship in February.
He says last weekend was the biggest victory of his athletics career so far.
“In terms of what I have done in my running career, it has to be number one,” says Baird.
“The fact it was a personal best and a club record made it better too.”
Baird says he is now preparing to compete at the Inverness Campus 5k on Friday, July 8.
