Wightman takes title as Calvert beats Muir to gold again

Scotland's Jake Wightman and a "shocked" Sarah Calvert both struck gold at the UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

Calvert repeated her shock win of 12 months ago as the Livingston AC 24-year-old again finished ahead of Olympian Laura Muir in the 1500m.

Muir, the 2020 Olympic silver medallist, was beaten into second by her compatriot in a sprint finish following a slow race in August.

Outsprinted again, the Dundee Hawkhill Harriers 33-year-old this time finished third as Calvert produced a season's best 4:07.82 - nearly nine seconds better than last year - to finish ahead of England's Katie Snowden.

Calvert, who admits "I still look up to" Muir, said: "It is really special. Last year, I was really shocked and thought this was the most incredible day.

"For the last year at meets, people have been saying 'oh you're the girl who won the British champs'. Nothing's come close to that in the last year, so to come back and do it again, I can't believe it."

Now Calvert is targeting representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games - and running the qualifying time to represent Great Britain at the European Championships.

"I was shocked crossing the line," she said. "It was the same plan as last year. I know my strength is a kick at the end, so a slow race with and kick with 120 to go is perfect for me.

"When the race went off slightly faster, I said 'no, this is not what I was asking for', but it was the same plan - hang on for as long as you can and don't kick until 120 to go."

Giffnock North 26-year-old Erin Wallace finished fourth for the second year running.

Wightman, the 2022 world gold and 2025 world silver 1500m medallist, produced his usual fast kick in the final straight to edge out England's Ben Pattison in the 800m.

The Edinburgh AC athlete said "I did everything I could have and I won, so that gives a real sense of satisfation and achievement."

However, fellow 31-year-old Neil Gourley finished a disappointing sixth in the 1500m final won by England's Arlo Ludewick.

Scotland's Andrew Butchart was second in the 5000m, the 34-year-old from Central AC losing out to Leamington's David Mullarkey.

There was also a silver for Scottish discus thrower Kirsty Law, of Woodford Green, behind reigning champion Zara Obamakinwa.

Meanwhile, Pitreavie's Nicole Yeargin was run out of the medals in the 400m, finishing fourth as gold was won by England's Amber Anning.