Steph Davis celebrates his Team Scotland selection with a saltire in London (Photo by Justin Grainge/Team Scotland)
Scotland team website
Commonwealth Games in Scotland announced today that the Olympian Steph Davis secured a spot for the women’s marathon at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games this summer.
The Clapham Chasers Commonwealth Games debutant in London previously represented the Glasgow Vice President in athletics as a youngster and ran cross country for Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds.
Steph landed his Team GB debut at Tokyo 2020 after an impressive win at the London trials a year ago.
And, just three years after his first marathon, Steph then finished an impressive 39th out of a field of 80 last August in sweltering Sapporo in a time of 2:36.33.
Coached by Tim GeorgeSteph hails from Bearsden in Glasgow and, remarkably, has never represented Scotland in any age group or discipline, with a Scottish United and College Cross Country vest his only representative honor before the Olympics.
Now she becomes the seventh athlete announced as part of Team Scotland in athletics and marathon along with six other Olympians shortlisted last October – Laura Muir, Eilish McColgan, Jemma Reekie, Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman and Andy Butchart.
Photos by Justin Grainge/Team Scotland
“I am delighted to be selected for the Commonwealth Games but also for my first outing with the Scotland team and indeed Scotland in athletics,” said Steph.
“My last big marathon was at the Olympics in Japan last year, which was an amazing experience.
“Due to Covid we have had to travel solo so I am delighted that my next big competition will be closer to home so my family and friends can watch the side of the road and absorb it all with me.
“Birmingham will be very different hopefully with family and friends able to come to watch and support.
“My mum and dad, Lynn and Mike, will be looking forward to this and of course the British athletes will have the opportunity to go and do a reconnaissance of the marathon course. I plan to do it.
“I’ve been training at home for the past two months and really looking forward to building volume and intensity over the next 14 weeks with my new trainer Tim George.”
Steph’s journey: from Scottish Unis XC to the Olympic Games
Steph was part of ScottishAthletics Marathon Project since the program launched with a view to raising Scottish standards and representation in the event.
Since then, three athletes have been selected for the Olympics and another on the project, Luke Caldwellprepares to represent GB and NI at the European Championships in Munich in August.
Head of Mission for the Scotland team, Elinor Middlemiss said: “I am delighted for Steph that she has been selected to represent Scotland at Birmingham 2022. Steph had a very good run in Tokyo in difficult conditions and I can’t wait to see her compete on the road this summer.”
The women’s marathon will take place on Saturday July 30 and will start in Smithfield – also the venue for the Birmingham 2022 Beach Volleyball, 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball competitions.
Riders will first complete two 18km loops before heading south out of town towards Bournville.
This is followed by a 6.2km section through the town centre, which ends at Victoria Square, the location of the town hall and council house.
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Keywords:
Birmingham 2022, Project Marathon, Steph Davis, Team Scotland
