Andy Butchart senses he is ready to mix it with the very best in Rio this summer after coming sixth at the Antrim International XC amid a top-notch field.
The Scot was the leading British finisher in the IAAF series leg, ending up just over a minute behind Bahrain’s Aweke Ayalew who edged out Thomas Ayeko of Uganda in a photo finish to take victory in 21:25.
Butchart, 24, is expected to face Mo Farah indoors in Glasgow next month before focusing on his Olympic 5000m bid. And he claims his Northern Irish outing – a week after impressing in Edinburgh – has left him on the right track towards the summer.
“The conditions were different in Antrim,” he said. “It was hard and fast rather than wet and muddy. The field was again world-class. Last week was Mo Farah. This week was Emmanuel Bett and a few really big names so it’s good to race them. I know I had a good block of training through Christmas so I know I’m fit.”
Andy Douglas and Luke Caldwell were tenth and eleventh while Sarah Inglis came 12th in the women’s race, won by Alice Aprot Nawowuna of Kenya.
“I have to be happy with that because they were saying this is the best Women’s field they have ever had in Antrim,” Inglis said. “There were six or seven quality Africans plus Fionnuala McCormack and Kate Avery as well.”
Scottish prospects Euan Gillham and Sol Sweeney took the Under 20 and U17 titles.
Elsewhere, Laura Muir opened her track campaign with a double victory over 400 and 800 metres at the Scottish Open in Glasgow. The world 1500m finalist surged away from the field in the 800m after setting a lifetime best of 55.36 seconds in the 400m.
World Youth Games finalist Cameron Tindle won the 60m in a personal best of 6.91m at the Emirates Arena before adding the 200m title while junior hope Ben Greenwood held off Jonny Glen in the 1500m. And 15-year-old Alessandro Schenini bagged the Scottish Under-17 long jump record with a leap of 7.00m that marks him out as one to watch.
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