DONALD GORRIE TROPHY 2020

The late Donald Gorrie first found fame as a middle- distance runner. He broke the Scottish Native 880 yards record in 1955, won an Oxford Blue three years running and in 1957 was president of the University Athletic Club. He was latterly also a former Liberal Democrat MSP and Honorary President of Edinburgh AC.

The Donald Gorrie Trophy is presented annually to a person in the club who has given distinguished services over the last year.
The well deserved recipient for 2020 was presented with his trophy last night at the club’s Zoom AGM.

The winner for 2020 is Martin Rowe.

Martin has had a long- established connection with athletics, mainly at his home club of Croydon Harriers. Lending his services in IT along with competing himself, early days on track and latterly half marathons and park runs.

He is a valuable official with Edinburgh AC and holds a level 4 Timekeeper’s licence and prolifically attends meetings to officiate both in Scotland and when the club travel down to England for major events.

This year has been a wash out with the pandemic almost rendering athletics in Scotland to nothing. Due to this the club had to create a new role for someone to be a Covid-19 Co Ordinator.

Martin took on the new role and adapted to it very quickly, and has worked very hard in the background, spending many hours paving the way so the athletes and coaches could get back training in a safe and organised fashion. He has worked closely with Scottish Athletics to bring the ‘back to sport programme’ for the club to adhere to pull out all the stops in order to operate safely.

For his dedication and hard work getting us back on track, it was felt he would be a worthy recipient this year to be presented with the DONALD GORRIE TROPHY.

Well done Martin from everyone involved with Edinburgh AC, a fine achievement.