South Ayrshire Council News

World record holder Gavin Drysdale is pictured at Dam Park in Ayr

Ayr school Gavin Drysdale, (9) has broken two world records in the European RaceRunning 2010 Championship in Denmark.

Gavin who was Great Britain's only representative and Scotland's first-ever competitor - competed in a number of races including under 12 age group in the 100 metres where he broke the world record, which is an outstanding achievement. He then went on to break the world record in the 800 metres for the same age group.

Gavin has been involved in RaceRunning – a disability sport where riders race on a three-wheeled bike by running rather than pedalling – since the age of 5. He has cerebral palsy and was born with low muscle tone, which means he has difficulty with all muscle movements. He loses his balance easily and uses a walker when outside, and has difficulty performing most day-to-day activities.

He is unable to speak clearly, but has several ways of communicating: he signs using Makaton sign language, with his electronic Vantage communication device or with simple gestures and a winning smile.

His world records follow his recently recorded personal bests at the Scottish Disability Sport Open Junior Athletics Championships.

Speaking about his experience Gavin said: "I was really proud to represent my country at the European championship.

"It was a great experience for me competing at international level and I would like to thank everyone who has helped. This includes South Ayrshire Council who let me train at the Dam Park stadium in Ayr, and it certainly helped me to produce times that earned me two world records.

"I am going to keep training and hopefully win more competitions in the future and I would love one day to represent my country in the Paralympics."

For more information about the RaceRunner, or how your child could try one out, e-mail Colin Duthie, South Ayrshire Council's Additional Support Needs and Performance Officer, on colin.duthie@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or call him on 01292 294732.