In December, former pupil Dougie Selman will travel to Spain for the upcoming Valencia Marathon in fine fettle, after he recently won the Loch Ness Marathon closer to home.
Now 34 and working in Edinburgh as Legal Counsel, Selman has been a keen athlete since he was a student at Stewart’s Melville College, competing at a high level over the years.
At the 20th Loch Ness Marathon, last month, Selman paced his race very well to finish the men’s race first, ahead of well-known Kenyan athlete Isaiah Kosgei and Shaun Cumming (Highland Hill Runners).
In the highlands, he ran a time of 2hr 23min 53secs and said:
“It was really enjoyable. Breaking the tape at the finish line is not something you get to do often as an athlete, in a marathon, so I just tried to enjoy the moment.
“It was quite late in the race when I went ahead, but I was still feeling pretty good at that point. I was running in quite a controlled manner and going into those last couple of miles your legs have taken quite a pounding, but I knew I had enough in the tank to get the job done.
“The Loch Ness Marathon is always a big event with a lot of competitors there and a lot of families so that, combined with a great setting and a pleasing result, made it a very good day.”
For Selman, his sights are now firmly set on the Valencia Marathon, and training for the next challenge has already started. Being married to Jenny Sleman, a member of the Team Scotland athletics squad at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, means it’s a family passion and there’s plenty of support at home.
But where did it all begin? For Selman, his passion for running came later in his school years, having tried lots of different sports and activities at Junior School.
“When I entered my last few years at Stewart’s Melville College, I started to take my athletics a bit more seriously.
“At that point I was more of an 800 metre runner rather than a marathon runner, but athletics took up a lot of my time at school and I loved it - and still do!”
SMC Head of PE and Sport Bryn Lockie said:
“I remember him well as a pupil and an excellent athlete. He always struck me as a dedicated performer, who even with his numerous athletics commitments outside school, was always happy to represent the school in fixtures, at sports days and in Scottish School events.
“He was an excellent role model for our younger pupils both in school and on the track. We are delighted to see another one of our former pupils doing so well in their chosen sport.”
By Gary Heatly
