Athletics: Flying Scotsman Darren Scott from Runcorn breaks own world Masters 200m record

Feb 11 2010 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RUNCORN’S very own Flying Scotsman has steamed in to overtake his world indoor record.

Scottish international 200m star Darren Scott took a tenth of a second off the mark he had set in winning the silver medal at last month’s North of England Championships at Sheffield.

His latest run of 21.71 – a new global best for a 40-45 year old Masters runner – also earned the veteran Weston Point athlete another overall second place.

He was runner-up on the boards to Craig Fleming in a senior open-age race at the Birmingham Games.

The only down side for Scott was losing his No1 Scottish ranking to the winner, who clocked 21.50.

“At least he had to do a personal best to do it,” said Scott.

The 40-year-old Fitness First personal trainer continues to defy logic by getting the better of athletes half his age.

“It was a fantastic performance as I had already done a heat and semi-final,” he said.

“They announced it over the public address system that I had broken the world record and everybody was delighted for me.

“Everyone’s wondering what’s going on? But they forget I did run a 21.62 when I was 39 before having almost a year out injured.

“I had a little idea I had got the record when I saw the clock had stopped at 21.50 for Craig.”

Scott’s indoor record time puts him fifth on the all-time list, including outdoor runs, at his age group.

He has now been invited to compete in this weekend’s televised Aviva World Trials and Indoor Championships at Sheffield.