For Finlay Menzies, sprinting didn’t begin with a grand ambition or a clear end goal. It started, like many good things do, by chance.
Around 2013 or 2014, still in primary school, Finlay found himself part of an activity group aimed at supporting people with autism and other learning difficulties. It was there that something clicked.
“I was part of an activity group that was designed for people with autism and other learning difficulties,” he told Fen Regis Trophies. “The coach that was at that club acquired a frame runner, so she brought that along, and then I tried out.
“I was signed up for my first race on the Saturday, and then it kind of just went from there.”
There was no big realisation in that moment – no sense that this would one day lead to international competition. It was simply something that felt right.
Discovering Frame Running
What mattered more was how it made him feel. Frame running offered something that traditional sprinting couldn’t – an opportunity to compete in a way that suited him.
“I didn’t really know where it was going, because when I first started, it wasn’t a Paralympic sport…I just went with it because it was enjoyable.”
That enjoyment laid the foundation. The progress followed.
“I started to progress quite well and then I was at the top end of the sport within Scotland for my age, then it became a Paralympic sport.”
Managing the Demands
Competing in the T72 classification with cerebral palsy brings challenges that go beyond the stopwatch.
“One of the challenges is trying to get the signals from your brain to your legs as quickly as possible, and then try to coordinate the whole movement of the frame.
Even after the race is done, the effects don’t simply switch off.
“The other side effects are that I get quite a lot of spasms in my legs, so my legs start jumping about all over the place after races, which makes things a bit challenging.”
There are also longer-term considerations.
“There are just certain things that I can’t or shouldn’t do, because they actually cause other side effects. I get quite sore joints sometimes, and other things like that.”
Making a Mark on the World Stage
Finlay’s belief was rewarded with his biggest achievement so far – a bronze medal on the world stage, alongside a personal best time of 16.29 seconds. Getting there, though, was far from straightforward.
“The selection process was entirely new to me,” the sprinter admitted. “We ended up going all over the UK trying to get these times, which was quite difficult because of the weather – it was either too windy or it was too cold, or various other things that were out with my control.”
Eventually, everything aligned.
“Finally, towards the end of the selection period, we got just the right conditions, and I was ready to push out my best time so far.”
That performance, in front of the right people, proved decisive. The call-up itself was a moment to savour.
“It was a really amazing thought that I was going out with loads of other GB athletes, and I was going to somewhere new that I hadn’t been to before.”
And when it came to the competition, he delivered.
“It was an awesome experience,” he beamed. “Especially with all the teammates around because they were, really supportive.”
The team environment made a lasting impression.
“When we got back to the hotel, there was a crowd of them waiting to welcome people back from the track, which was amazing.”
Looking Ahead to Los Angeles
With frame running now set to feature at the 2028 Paralympic Games, Finlay’s focus is firmly fixed on what comes next.
“It’s going to be a really special time,” said Finlay. “I will have lots and lots of time to prepare for it, because I’m not gonna have any other big life commitment at that point I’m anticipating, since I’ll be finished with college by that point.
“I can just entirely focus on getting ready for the Paralympics.”
Passing it On
Away from competition, Finlay is already building for the future. He’s currently studying sports coaching and development and has begun working with younger athletes.
“I like being able to pass on my experience as an athlete on to younger athletes, so that they can take on useful information and then also be brilliant.”
Just Getting Started
For all that he’s already achieved, there’s a sense that this is only the beginning.
Frame running continues to grow, and athletes like Finlay Menzies are right at the heart of that rise – pushing standards, raising awareness, and quietly building towards something even bigger.
Los Angeles is on the horizon. And he’s not going there just to make up the numbers.
By Aaron Gratton
