Forres Harriers see the light
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A LOCAL athletics group will no longer have to train under street lamps during the winter.
Forres Harriers used £3000 they received from the Berry Burn Community Fund to pay for four portable spotlights, enabling safe training at Grant Park on dark nights.
Harriers take part in athletics competitions during the summer and will spend the remaining £1490 of the £4490 award on athletics equipment including hurdles, shots, discuss and javelins.
“It is hoped that practice with the equipment will allow Harriers to compete at a higher level,” said coach, Douglas Cowie.
“It will enable us to transform our training sessions over the winter and summer months.”
On Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year the Harriers have upward of 50 adults and 25 children at training sessions. Unfortunately, a lack of suitable training areas meant much of the winter training took place on roads around the town.
“It is not unusual but it is far from ideal,” said Douglas.
“In recent years, numbers attending have tripled and finding safe routes for 50 plus runners has become harder as a result.”
However, the club’s recently purchased floodlights can now be positioned around Grant Park to illuminate an area big enough to accommodate everyone.
Douglas is most pleased that the club can finally train “off-road”.
“The lights can be positioned for a flat speed session or a hill session, to make training more interesting,” he said.
“Also, the softer surface off-road is better for the body, regardless of age.
“Another very important factor is our great relationship with Forres Cricket Club (FCC) - their Grant Park pavilion is a good meeting point for our juniors to be dropped off and picked up by parents.”
Under the correct circumstances, Forres Harriers confirmed that they will allow FCC and other active members of Forres Community Sports Hub use of the new lights.
