Callum Hawkins completed the best year of his athletics career when he won a superb individual bronze medal at the European Cross Country Championships at Chia, on the Italian island of Sardinia at the weekend and helped lead Team GB and NI to Senior Men’s team gold medals.

The Kilbarchan athlete, who attracted world attention with his run in the Rio Olympics marathon, ran with controlled aggression and produced an outstanding performance to claim third place, the best ever result by a male Scot in this major event. A great day for the Scots with Callum, time 27.49, ahead of team-mate and fellow Scot Andy Butchart, who finished fourth some 12 seconds back.

Arthur Smith