For the second year running – quite literally – VMH are delighted to be sponsoring the Lasswade 10 Mile Road Race (2 March 2025). Our link to the event – being run for the 41st time – can be found closer to home, in the shape of our Legal Secretary, Linda Smith.
No mean athlete in her youth – “I was a competitive runner until my mid 20s, when I had children,” – Linda was a Scotland Euro Junior 800m champion and also competed in cross-country. These days, however, she works to inspire the next generation in her role as coach with Lasswade AC.
“I never thought I’d get into coaching,” she admits, “but I live in the area, our whole family run and when my daughter became involved at Lasswade, that’s when I took an interest in coaching.
“I watched what the other coaches were doing, started to hold the stopwatch, got involved in team management and did coaching courses, and was encouraged by the strong group of kids who were involved at that time.”
That was nearly 20 years ago, since when Linda has coached athletes from under-11s to European under-23 call-up to GB vest level, working at least two nights a week, running Saturday sessions and attending races most weekends.
“Once our runners get to university level they tend to train with other groups but most of them come back now and again to train with our Endurance Group and still keep in touch. My aim is to get our athletes to senior level and stay in the sport and ultimately coach our athletes to National/GB level.”
The Lasswade 10 Mile has been going since 1982 – bar a break during Covid – with competitors ranging from over-18 to veterans.
“Pre Covid we used to attract a field of 400-plus, however last year was our first year back since Covid with 150 runners. We’re looking to double that figure in 2025,” she says.
Working alongside Linda in the coaching role is husband Kirk and both are on the Lasswade AC committee. “Everyone mucks in during the lead-up to the Road Race,” she adds, “from leaflet drops to speaking to landowners, engaging police and councillors – it’s a big Club effort.”
The VMH Solicitors Lasswade 10 Mile Road Race takes place on Sunday 2 March 2025, starting near Rosewell bus terminus at 12noon and winding through rural Midlothian on B and C class roads. For more information see http://www.lasswade-ac.org.uk/club/vmh-solicitors-lasswade-ten-mile-road-race/