PROMISING middle-distance runner Erin Wallace has become the youngest and only Scottish athlete to be supported by the Jesse Owens SportsAid fund. The 16 year-old from the Giffnock North club in Glasgow is one of 10 British athletes who will receive financial assistance and recognition on the back of the launch of RACE, the recently-released movie that chronicles the story of how legendary American athlete Owens overcame adversity to become a four-time Olympic gold medallist at the 1936 games.

The charity will receive 50 pence from every cinema ticket for the film bought in the UK, with that money being subsequently funnelled through to the 10 chosen athletes to assist them in their sporting career which, according to SportsAid research, on average costs each individual over £6000 per year.

Wallace, a pupil at Eastwood High in East Renfrewshire, is considered one of the best in Britain at under-17 level in both the 800m and 1500m, and has also shown potential at both 3000m and cross-country events, too. She is a member of scottishathletics National Academy and Scotland’s national triathlon squad.

“Erin is pleased to be one of only 10 athletes to be included in the award,” said Dudley Walker, Erin’s lead coach at Giffnock North. “It will be very welcome and will help to defray the massive costs involved in kit, travel, race entries and other things. It’s a massive tribute to Erin’s steady rise to prominence in UK junior athletics through commitment, consistent hard work and ability.”