As the winter mornings disappear down the finishing straight it’s time to celebrate the arrival of a sporting spring that promises much by way of world-class action during a ‘Magic March’ and beyond.
From athletics to gymnastics via curling and swimming there’s a host of spectator treats on the horizon. Read on for the lowdown and to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action subscribe now to our free newsletter.
Athletics may traditionally hit the mainstream headlines in the summer but there’s always a great array action indoor and on the roads to enjoy beforehand which is perfectly demonstrated this season. A certain Mo Farah is set to wow the London crowds on the roads (of which more later) but first up Glasgow has the honour of hosting the European Indoor Championships from 1-3 March. The Emirates Arena – one of the largest indoor sports venues in Europe – is the place to be for a three-day indoor extravaganza that will see over 600 athletes from over 45 countries take part in one of the biggest sporting events of 2019.
The GB team includes home favourite Laura Muir – who won double European indoor gold in Belgrade in 2017 – bidding for a ‘double double’ alongside three-time British indoor champion Asha Philip out to defend her 60m gold from Serbia. They’re joined by pentathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson alongside a strong Scottish contingent – Jemma Reekie, Eilish McColgan, Eilidh Doyle, Zoey Clark, Guy Learmonth, Neil Gourley, Chris O’Hare and Andy Butchart – that will ensure an extra special atmosphere in Glasgow. Limited tickets remain via the Glasgow 2019 website.
From the track to the ice the Stirling Sports Village takes over the spectator baton from Glasgow in welcoming the World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2019. The championships are the third leg of an impressive quadruple of global curling events hosted in Scotland that have already taken in the European Curling Championships and Junior World Championships and will conclude in 2020 with the World Men’s Curling Championship at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.
The World Wheelchair Curling Championship returns to Scotland for the first time since 2005 and is the first time 12 teams have competed in a world wheelchair championship. Competition will be fierce with global honours at stake and being the first opportunity for nations to gain qualification points towards the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. For ticket information and timings visit the World Curling Federation website. Admission is daily on the door at The PEAK Stirling
Back to athletics the Magic March sporting bandwagon heads south on Sunday 10 March for The Vitality Big Half racing over the streets of central London.
A certain Sir Mo Farah – four-time Olympic gold medallist and six-time world champion – returns to defend the men’s title he won in 2018 with two former London Marathon champions, Wilson Kipsang and Daniel Wanjiru, among the opposition. The 13.1 mile race starts near Tower Bridge and finishes by the iconic Cutty Sark. Expect Mo to put on a show as GB’s greatest ever runner continues his preparations for a mouth-watering showdown against marathon GOAT and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge at this year’s London Marathon on 28th April. Another GB legend in action is David Weir in the men’s wheelchair race warming up for an astonishing 20th London Marathon. Meanwhile in the women’s race a battle for home bragging rights is on the cards with defending champion Charlotte Purdue defending her title against Steph Twell. Spectating on the route is free for all races.
A stellar swimming line-up at the 2019 Edinburgh International Swim Meet will see the top Brits take on leading swimmers from across Europe this weekend. The Royal Commonwealth Pool is the venue from 15-17 March. Breaststroke superstar Adam Peaty will race against Loughborough National Centre team mate James Wilby and Scotland’s Ross Murdoch. Aberdeen’s Hannah Miley and Stirling’s Duncan Scott and Aimee Willmott are among other Scottish stars guaranteed plenty of local support. Tickets available on the door for each session, see the EISM website for the daily schedule.
A brand new event rounds off the Magic March action. The Superstars of Gymnastics at The O2 on 23 March is headlined by global megastars Simone Biles and Max Whitlock who are joined by a host of other stars including Olympic and Commonwealth medallist Daniel Purvis, two-time Olympic gold medallist Aliya Mustafina of Russia and Germany’s Fabian Hambüchen a gold medallist on horizontal bars at Rio 2016. Taking place at The O2 the Superstars of Gymnastics will showcase an exhibition of the very best talent in gymnastics. Tickets for both the afternoon and evening sessions are on sale.