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RACE HISTORY This race is run to perpetuate
the memory of Tom Scott, a young man, whose life was tragically cut short when he was fatally injured in a motor
traffic accident on Friday 31st March 1961. He had been travelling south with the intention of competing in the Doncaster
to Sheffield Marathon which was due to take place on Easter Monday of that weekend. Unfortunately, the car in which he was
a passenger collided with a HGV on the A74 at Beattock Summit. Tom, who was 29 years of age at his death, was a very fine long distance runner from Law Village. He was a member
of Motherwell YMCA Harriers Club and from 1953 to 1955 he was their club champion. Tom often competed for the YMCA in numerous
events and was a member of three winning teams in the Scottish YMCA Championships. Being an enthusiastic and keen competitor Tom often
competed in major events throughout Great Britain and was frequently chosen to represent Scotland in British Title Races. Being a dedicated member of the Harriers fraternity Tom's ambition was to represent his country in the marathon at the Olympic Games and towards this end he was in training and competing. In order to increase his weekly mileage Tom ran to and from his workplace in Motherwell. He was therefore a familar figure in the streets of Motherwell & Wishaw as he made his way - in fair weather or foul - either to his home in Law or to the factory in Motherwell. At the time of his death Tom was an employee of AEI-Motherwell and it was suggested
by some of his colleagues, especially those with an interest in athletics, that it would be fitting that some sort of
race be established and to be run annually in his honour. As a result of a collection among his workmates a committee was
formed with the objective to establish this race as one of the leading Road Races in Scotland. The first Tom Scott Memorial Race was held in 1962 and ironically it was won by
one of Tom's team mates and fellow worker at A.E.I. -A H Brown. Andy who also came from Law Village won the
event in a time of 50:33. Since that inagural
race in 1962- as can be seen from the results - many fine runners have graced this event (its a whose who of Scottish
middle & long distance runners). Surely the aims and objectives of the original committee have therefore been realised with Scottish Olympians, European Contenders & Commonwealth Gold & Silver Medalists not only taking part, but winning this event - a fitting tribute to one who gave so much time and energy to his sport. |