The 1886 Scottish Athletics Championships were the fourth national athletics championships to be held in Scotland. They were held under the auspices of the Scottish Amateur Athletic Association at the Powderhall Grounds, Edinburgh on Saturday 26 June 1886. Although the weather was fine a strong west wind affected the attendance, and the Field commented that, "it is to be regretted that the followers of athletics will not accord their patronage to Powderhall, than which there is no finer inclosure in the kingdom." The wind also affected performances in many events and no records were set on the day. But in the ten miles track race on the following Monday Alexander Findlay (Ayr FC) rewrote the record book for distance running in Scotland. Colonel John Macdonald, the Lord Advocate, presented the prizes.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
The 10-mile championship took place at the same venue on Monday 28 June. There were four competitors at the start, but David Duncan (Edinburgh H.) stopped with a stitch at three and a half miles, W. M. Thompson (Clydesdale H.) stopped at four miles, and W. M. Gabriel (Edinburgh Un.) stopped before reaching half way. Alex Findlay of Ayr Football Club set Scottish All-comers records for 3 miles, 5 miles, and 6 miles, in this race, missing the 4 miles record by just three seconds. After Gabriel dropped out Findlay ran on alone and was doing well up to six miles, when he too took a stitch and struggled for the next two miles, but still set Scottish All-comers records for 7 miles, 8 miles, 9 miles and 10 miles. With the permission of the judge, Mr Asher, Duncan rejoined the race at 8 miles and accompanied Findlay over the last two miles. splits (Field) 1 mile: 5:09, 10:31 (5:22), 15:54 (5:23), 21:19 (5:25), 26:41 (5:22), 32:12 (5:31), 38:03 (5:51), 44:01 (5:58), 49:53 (5:52), 55:16.8 (5:23.8).[5][8]
