A super consistent Eilidh Child won the silver medal in the 400 metre hurdles at the European Under-23 Championships in Lithuania this weekend, achieving a remarkable fifth PB of the season in the process.

In today’s final the Kinross athlete came home in 55.32 seconds, a fraction adrift of GB team mate, Perri Shakes-Drayton.  The English girl’s winning time, of 55.26, was also a PB.  

“I’m an athlete and I don’t like getting beaten but it was a good race and it went well,” said Eilidh afterwards.

“I was pleased to run a PB and if you had said to me before the race you’re going to run 55.32, I would have been over the moon and would have taken it. 

“It’s a shame to have missed the gold after being so close but I’m happy with the way I ran the race and to win the silver medal is still a great achievement.” 

Much has changed for the 22 year old Tayside and Fife Institute supported trainee PE teacher this season.  Last autumn she changed her coaching environment to join the coaching team of Stuart Hogg and Aileen McGillivary, a switch which brought a new training philosophy and different training partners. 

Eilidh's progress this year has also benefited from the input of key TFIS staff who have worked in close partnership with the coaching team.  Through this partnership it has allowed her progress to be tracked methodically and assisted in her remaining fit and healthy throughout the season. 

“The biggest thing this year is that I have been consistent,” said Eilidh.  “I’ve not had a one-off fast run but I’ve been able to keep consistent which I’m really pleased with.  I’ve nailed my stride pattern this year and I know where I should be and how it should feel at each stage of the race.”

Stuart Hogg, who was with Eilidh in Lithuania, is as surprised as anyone by just how reliable his new athlete’s performance has been week in week out.

“I’m a great one for consistency but I don’t expect this from anyone when you coach them for the first year,” he said.  “Eilidh has been an absolute model of consistency in her races.  

“To run a PB in major championships is a tremendous achievement and I’m extremely proud of her.

“There was just six hundredths of a second between her and the winner.  Coming off the last hurdle she looked to be a metre and a half behind her.  She kept closing but just ran out of space.

“The English girl is very good and on time the two of them are ranked 16 and 17 in the world in seniors.”

Eilidh, who also achieved her fourth UKA ‘A’ standard for the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, will head to Crystal Palace next weekend to hopefully continue her amazing season.

“The field will be massive and it’s got some great runners including the world number one so it should be a great competition,” she added.  “I’ll go out and try to get a really good time, then hopefully I’ll have the Worlds.”