RACE HISTORY
This race is run to perpetulate the memory of Tom Scott, a young man, whose life was unfortunately cut short , when he
was tragically killed in a motor traffic accident while travelling to take part in a Road Race in the North of England.
Tom 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 represnt his country in thr 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.
The route of the race from its inception in 1962 until 1985 (when the factory closed in Motherwell) altered very little
from the one that he used on his daily training runs. The traditional route was on the open roads from Law Village to
Motherwell. The race started at The "Old School" in Law before makiing its journey through the streets of Wishaw and Motherwell
- finally ending at the factory gates at Watling Street 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 for 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 being 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 - as can be seen from the results - many fine runners have graced this event. 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.
