World 1500m champion Josh Kerr says his coaches helped him recover from his “lowest point” in 2015 as he celebrated winning Scottish athlete of the year.
Olympic bronze medallist Kerr, whose parents accepted the trophy on his behalf, praised the impact of Danny Mackey and Mark Pollard.
Sammi Kinghorn won Scottish Athletics’ Para-athlete of the year at Saturday’s awards dinner.
“It was so important for me at the time,” said 26-year-old Kerr.
“I was at my lowest point and Scottish Athletics were who I leaned upon. They were there when I needed them and put me on the right path.
“My parents were there in Glasgow to accept the trophy on my behalf and I know they were thrilled to do that. They have been a massive part of what I’ve become in my career.
“This is a fantastic award and I am delighted to win it for the first time in my career. It caps off a great year for me in many ways.”
T53 racer Kinghorn, 27, won gold and three silvers at this year’s World Para Championships in Paris.
“It is always a nice feeling to realise via an award like this that people have been pleased to see you do well,” she said.
“You don’t always appreciate that at a championship. I had worked really hard prior to Paris but I had no idea I had four medals in me.
“The 100m gold was a shock to me in many ways even though I felt calm going into it and was looking simply to do what I do every day.
“But when I watch the race back I see that every section was executed exactly as we would hope and plan – and you don’t get that too often.”
