Owen Miller from Dunfermline and Fife AC has been an outstanding Disability Sport Fife ambassador for several years. The ex Woodmill HS pupil was identified early on at school as an athlete with potential and not surprisingly Owen joined his local athletics club. Owen then went on to excel in INAS international events and the period leading up to London 2012 demonstrated that he could possibly go all the way and earn full GB selection.
Unfortunately this did not happen. Owen then lost form, picked up a series of injuries and athletics took on a whole new meaning for Fife and Scotland’s leading T20 middle distance athlete. A change of club and coach has completely reversed everything and Owen has just experienced and enjoyed his best season to date by a long way.
Under the guidance of coach Steve Doig at Fife AC, Owen ran 3.57.35 at the Grangemouth meet on 4th July. This was an incredible breakthrough. The run was a staggering 5 second personal best and the first time Owen had broken the elusive 4 minute barrier. Steve is first to acknowledge the role played by Pitreavie AAC athlete Ben Potrykus in that race who paced Owen for 1300m. Without his assistance this very special performance would not have been achieved.
Owen’s run in the Miler Meet 5000m on 27th July was his first ever track race over this distance and he recorded the fastest time ever by a British T20 athlete. This race was memorable because the time was quicker than coach and athlete had predicted and because Owen ran such a well judged tactical race. Running successful tactical races is always a challenge for T20 athletes.
Owen then ran two 1500m events on successive days at the Scottish Championships on the weekend of 11th/12th August. Owen ran a very relaxed time of 4.01.21 in the heat to qualify for the final. This was his second fastest time ever, at that stage of the weekend. It was almost 1.5 seconds quicker than his personal best at the start of the season. In the final the following day, Owen ran even better and managed to break the 4 minute barrier once again with a time of 3.58.97. This was arguably Owen’s best ever run at the Scottish Championship and it was wonderful to observe him being so competitive. Owen’s new belief in his ability was there for all to see.
Coach Steve Doig believes that Owen has always been an athlete who has been prepared to give his best in training and this of course has enabled him to run at a high level in mainstream and Para athletics for a number of years. The 2018 track season however has been his most successful to date and his performances have improved significantly. The difference this year Steve believes is down to one key critical factor:
The athletes within Owen’s training group, many of whom compete at a high level themselves, have made a massive contribution to support Owen during sessions. Many have gone out of their way to provide assist by offering lifts to and from events and to and from training sessions at different venues in Fife. Athletes have also altered their training plans to help Owen during
sessions and their assistance has helped to push his performances to a higher level. His results are a great testament to the support his training partners provide.
That last paragraph sums perfectly the importance and power of quality inclusive training to Para athletes with Owen’s considerable ability. It also emphasises the unique character of Fife AC athletes, coaches, volunteers and committee members who always go that extra mile for all club members. Owen is a great family man but he also has a second family that always looks out for him.
Thank you Fife AC and well done Owen on your very special year. Best wishes with winter training and cross country. 2019 is a special year with major challenges on the horizon. Thanks also to Fife Sports and Leisure Trust for local support and Scottish Athletics personnel for always being there to advise and support when required.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife