Hurdlers Have Up 'N Down Rivalry

Jan 13 2008 Euan Mclean

Best Pals Are Enemies On Track

THEY have been best friends and arch-rivals for years and today Allan Scott and Chris Baillie will resume their personal battle as they vie for a place at the prestigious Norwich Union International.

The hurdlers became close pals despite constantly trying to out-do each other during an eight-year spell as training partners.

And today the track stars will again attempt to gain the bragging rights as they square up at the Scottish Closed Championships at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall - their first on-track meeting in more than two years.

Recurring injury problems have ruled Baillie out of action since the Glasgow hurdler's silver medal success at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

It wasn't just his troublesome foot that was put on ice although one of the most intriguing rivalries in athletics will hot up again today as Baillie returns to action for the first time.

And as the pair were reunited this week ahead of the race Scott admitted today's 60-metre hurdles face-off for a place at the Norwich Union showpiece at the end of the month could be a dress rehearsal for an even bigger battle - with both setting their sights on making this year's Olympic team.

The 25-year-old from East Kilbride said: "The Games are the be-all and end-all this season and all the hurdlers are going for the three spots in the team.

"But I don't want to think about being up against Chris or anyone else.

"I have my own goals about what I want to run this season and if I hit those times it should get me there.

"I still get a special buzz out of racing against Chris though.

"We trained together for eight years and at the beginning he was dominant but I came through and was beating him at everything.

"Then he came back again at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and did well so it has been an up and down rivalry.

"It has a different connotation to racing the other British guys.We are both Scottish and training together all that time gives it a wee bit more of an edge but we have always remained good friends."

And Chris' old "friend" has a special surprise in store for him now they've been reunited.

Scott smiled: "Our former coach has just retired and we were having a chat about organising a reunion. Over the years Chris has dated a few of the girls we've trained with so I'm going to get them all in one room and see what happens - I'm looking forward to that more than anything else."

At least Baillie is fit enough again to make a quick exit if his ex-factor reunion turns nasty!

And just to be back running is something the 26-year-old is relishing as he strives to put his two-year injury hell behind him.

Baillie said: "The main thing will be just getting used to stepping on the track again after so long out.

"But it will be a bit of trip down memory lane racing Allan because we haven't done that for a good while.

"After so many years training and racing together we are friends but also big rivals.

"Even in training we hated getting beaten but it was good for us both to have the other always driving you on and that remains the case.

"But whoever wins this race will get the other's full support going to the Norwich Union International."

The winner in the showdown between Allan and Chris will join the Great Britain team as they take on the USA, Sweden, Germany and a Commonwealth Select team at the Kelvin Hall in the world's richest indoor athletics meeting.

TICKETS for the event on Saturday, January 26, are still available. For details call the ticket hotline on 08000 556 056 or visit www.ukathletics.net