On the overcast evening of September 20, four-hundred runners lined up on the serpentine West Lothian Cycle Circuit for the third edition of the Flat ‘N Fast 5K race. The race lived up to its name, producing blistering times in both the men’s and women’s fields.
Yet Flat ‘N Fast marked more than just a fast race – it signaled a larger change coming to Scotland’s running scene. At the head of this change is Stride Athletics, the organizer of Flat ‘N Fast.
“Our mission,” said Stride head Callum Matthews, “Is to showcase running to a wider audience, and bring more resources into the sport.”
Matthews, a former competitive runner himself, established Stride in 2023 when his day job at Network Rail brought him to Linithgow’s newly-built cycle circuit. Recognizing the site’s potential for road racing, Matthews saw what a fast venue could do for Scottish athletics and so founded Stride.
“Considering its population is only five and a half million, Scotland has always punched above its weight,” said Matthews.
Matthews says more can be done. “The sport is in a strong spot,” he said. “But there isn’t much in terms of support for athletes within Scotland.” Matthews pointed to the current dynamic in which many promising Scots leave to run in more competitive leagues abroad.
The bi-annual Flat ‘N Fast launched in 2023 to address this, offering Scottish athletes the opportunity to showcase their capabilities on Scottish soil.
The event has quickly become one of the most competitive and popular in the country. This year, the four hundred spots sold out in just five hours.
Besides Flat ‘N Fast, Stride has embarked on a series of initiatives to help Scotland’s best to shine. Through their social media, Stride has amplified the stories, training, and performances of athletes, especially amateurs and junior professionals
At Flat ‘N Fast 3, Stride launched their “Pro For A Day” scheme, in which amateurs were provided with full racing kit by brands such as New Balance and Hoka. This program–the first of its kind in the world–is just one of many “new twists” Stride plans to bring, all with the goal of enhancing Scottish running.
Already, Stride’s efforts seem to be taking root: on September 26, the University of Edinburgh announced the “Edinburgh Global Endurance Project,” along with a new job listing for a full-time running coach.
“Our ambition is to develop an internationally renowned endurance hub,” the University said in a statement. The plan would have Edinburgh become “one of Europe’s leading centres for endurance sport within the next five years.”
“It’s clear the hunger’s there,” said Matthews. “The athletes just need the resources.”
Photo Credits: Kenneth Sutherland