Shetland has given Katie Dinwoodie, 17, the chance to become a national champion sprinter in her age group, and part of the senior Scottish sprint relay squad.
“There were so many opportunities to play different sports here, but sprinting was the one for me,” says the ever-smiling Katie, who took up athletics at seven, training on the track next to Lerwick’s Anderson High School after regularly winning at school sports days.
Things have gone well since, with a string of big results at national level. In 2018, she won 100m gold at the Scottish Schools Championships and the UK-wide School Games, and was the Scottish U17 champion in 100m and 200m. In 2019, she won 200m gold for Shetland at the all-ages Island Games.
“I’m so lucky that we have this amazing track right here, and brilliant coaches,” she says. “And I get to travel and meet people through doing this thing. I love it.”
For more on sports facilities in Shetland, see our Leisure and things to do page.