The Scottish Marathon Club was the first road running club in the British Isles and had as its objective ‘to foster marathon running in Scotland’ and I would defy anyone to say that there was such a single minded body in the country today.   The one organisation that even comes close to that is the British Milers Club which has always had a strong Scottish element.   The difference of course is the words ‘Scottish’ and  ‘British’.   The SMC membership card doubled as a club fixture list and if we look at those below we can see the progress of road running between 1962 and 1972.   One year is missing and that is a pity – anyone with a copy should send it to me – please if you have one – but the pattern is there to see.   Look for the  number of races -and look at the performances required for club standard certificates.

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