In September 2021 the Orkney Athletic and Running Club applied to the Scottish Government’s Healthy Islands Fund for money to enable the club to purchase an electronic timing system. It has long been a dream that one day the club would have its own Electronic Timing System, in fact Orkney is the only main Scottish island group without one. Having our own electronic timing system to use at home Competitions will hugely benefit our local athletes by attracting athletes from throughout Scotland and beyond to compete in Orkney increasing our profile and level of competition here. It is a momentous time for local athletes to now be able to gain electronic times on island and for OARC, the organisers of the athletics event at the 2025 International Island Games in Orkney, where electronic timing is essential.
We have been very lucky to receive this grant to buy the Electronic Timing System and the money has to be spent by the end of March 2022. Once training of our local officials is complete, we expect to use the new system during the spring and summer competitions in Orkney this year, exciting times ahead!
Here is a link to the Scottish Government’s website explaining more about the fund and the awards: https://www.gov.scot/news/promoting-healthy-and-resilient-island-communities/