LUKE Traynor, recently crowned Scottish 10-mile champion, was included yesterday in the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for this month’s European 10,000m Cup at Parliament Hill in London, writes Stewart Fisher.

With the likes of Callum Hawkins, Andrew Butchart and new Commonwealth bronze medallist Robbie Simpson around, this is boom time for Scottish distance running and the Giffnock North athlete signalled his desire to be part of it with a creditable 38th from a 150-strong field at the world half marathon championships in Valencia in March. With six women and six men selected, Traynor is part of a 12-strong team for the European Cup in London on May 19. Integrated with the A races at the Night of the 10,000 Pbs, it also acts as the British Championships and trial for the European Championships in Berlin in August.

“The European 10,000m Cup is an important marker on the 2018 calendar and we are pleased to announce a full British team for what will be a great event,” said team leader Chris Jones.

“By selecting a full team of 12, we are showing our intent to earn the highest possible placing in both the men’s and women’s team standings The team is a good mixture of those used to big events, including the European 10,000m Cup, and promising talent on the pathway to future major championships. We are encouraged by the performances so far this year.”