Kilbarchan AAC legend Callum Hawkins believes he's making great strides to returning to his best after beating brother Derek to the Great Scottish Run half marathon title.
The marathon star has been troubled by injuries, including an ankle problem, that frustratingly kept him out of this year's major competitions.
But he's stepped up his recovery in recent months, training hard and competing in half marathons to build up his strength and stamina.
Having been one of Scotland's greatest medal hopes at tournaments in recent years, the 30-year-old admits it's been tough to watch the likes of Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan become household names as they've stormed to medals.
But after winning the Great Scottish Run half marathon in 63:35, ahead of brother Derek who posted 65:32, he fully believes he's on the right track as he targets his first marathon in months in Valencia in December.
Hawkins told scottishathletics: "I’m pleased with that because they have changed the course a little and I don’t think it is the fastest half marathon course. It was slippy in places.
"I’m a couple of weeks on now from Copenhagen (63:13) and I actually think today is a better performance.
"Valencia at the start of December is the target so there’s still lot of mileage going on as I build towards a full marathon. The plan has been to race my way back to full fitness and I’m getting better week by week.
"I’ve never been a huge spectator when it comes to athletics but I’ve had to get used to it a bit more over the past couple of years.
"It was hard to watch marathons in major champs happen during the summer but I did enjoy watching Laura, Eilish, Jake and others perform superbly for Scotland and for GB and NI. I just want to get back in there again to try and over-shadow them!"
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