Bella steps up training ahead of world title bid

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ABERDEENSHIRE athlete Bella Comerford is in the Far East finalising her preparations for next month’s Ironman triathlon world championships in Hawaii.

The Tarland woman jetted out to Korea just days after retaining her Ironman UK title at Shleborne Castle, Dorset.

The English race proved doubly satisfying for Bella as her fiance, Stephen Bayliss, pipped Aberdeen’s Scott Neyedli to win the men’s title.

She said: “It was a dream come true for both of us. We are so happy.”

But the couple wasted no time in getting back into training for their world title bids.

Comerford said: “We are going to prepare with the rest of our training group in Korea.

“We’ll do our absolute best when we get to Hawaii.”

Bella has shown the sort of form this season which makes her a genuine contender for a podium place in Hawaii.

In addition to her UK title, she has also won the South Africa, Lanzarote and Embrun ironman races this year.

BANCHORY Stonehaven AC secured title glory in the Petrofac track and field league final at Inverness.

The North-east club won the league ahead of Inverness Harriers and Ross County.

Aberdeen AAC’s senior women’s team of Kathleen Madigan, Catriona Pennet, Kirsten Young and Sylvia Kamya were in record breaking form in the 4x400m relay.

The city squad clocked 50.9seconds to slice 0.87 off the previous standard set two years ago by Inverness Harriers.

That performance helped the Aberdeen club edge ahead of Inverness to take the overall team title.

Kirsten gathered more points for Aberdeen when winning the long jump with a leap of 5metres, while Catriona won the 100m hurdles in 14.91.

Sophie Anderson also performed well for Aberdeen, setting a personal best when winning the U11 girls’ long jump with 3.64m.

Aberdeen AAC won the men’s title thanks to some fine individual performances from Cameron Strachan and Finton McCabe.