Local sportsman Jerry Musselwhite left behind the fairways of Farrington for the 4J Studios Scottish Athletics Combined Events Open in Kilmarnock to compete in the gruelling ten event decathlon over two days on 10th and 11th July.

Jerry, who represents the progressive Yate & District Athletics Club, competes in the Masters category, making his track and field debut less than a year ago, unusually in a decathlon at the spritely age of 62. This year he warmed up with second place in the British Masters five event pentathlon (Men 60+) two weeks ago at Oxford.

In these unusual times however, opportunities to compete in decathlons are limited and it meant a long drive to Ayrshire in Scotland. An unexpected surprise for Jerry was competing alongside much of the cream of Scottish talent at Under 20 and Senior Men levels. Jerry was not completely overshadowed with a creditable 3rd position overall in the discus. The 1500 metres, the last event, was also a good showing, being his highest points scoring event and 6th best time on the British all-time list for Men 60+ decathletes over this distance, which goes back some 40 years.

While the stretching demands of the decathlon led some athletes to retire, or carry on injured, Jerry was delighted to finish in good shape and come away with 5 personal bests from the ten events, culminating in being ranked British number one in his age group.

Following the presentations, the pole vault pole was strapped to the car roof, to return via the hotel in Troon, where it had gained some notoriety, as one of the most unusual pieces of guest luggage ever seen!

Chris Webb