At the GAA Glasgow Miler Meet at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday 27th July, Owen Miller and Sam Fernando from Fife AC recorded outstanding personal best performances for 5000m. Owen is coached by Steve Doig and Sam by Ron Morrison. Sam recently returned from Paris where he won bronze in 10000m and gold in 3K steeplechase at the INAS European Championships. Owen recently broke through the 4 minute barrier for 1500m for the first time with a time just over 3.57.
Owen was in brilliant form in Glasgow when he recorded 15.08 for 5000m, over 30 seconds faster than his previous personal best. Over the past few years Owen has concentrated on 800m and 1500m because these distances have a Paralympic pathway for T20 athletes. Owen started out as a cross country and distance athlete but switched to middle distance because of his ambition to represent Great Britain and 800m and 1500m were the only opportunities available.
His Miler Meet performance is a clear indication of his considerable talent over 5K as well as middle distance. It may be that Owen’s time is the fastest time recorded by a GB T20 athlete?
Sam similarly had a great run in Glasgow. Like Owen he is having the season of his life and yet he is still a novice in high performance distance running. Sam recorded 15.39 at Scotstoun, the first occasion he has broken through the 16 minute barrier. Sam’s previous best for 5K was 16:05.33. Apart from the competition commitments Paris was a whole new experience for Sam and he passed with flying colours.
Disability Sport Fife is indeed fortunate to have two such talented athletes and access to an incredible athletics partner in Fife AC with outstanding coaches and supportive athletes. Owen is a past pupil of Woodmill HS and Sam a past pupil of Bell Baxter HS.