JFA Wood, Stewart’s College, winning the quarter-mile at the 1924 Inter-Scholastic Sports
The numbers continued to rise and in May, 1924, at Inverleith in Edinburgh there were 33 schools contesting the events with well over 400 pupils showing off their skills although the crowd could have been bigger. Among the newcomers were Kelvinside Academy, Dundee Harris Academy, Hamilton Academy, Alloa Academy, St Mungo’s, Coatbridge and Hyndland High Schools.
The meeting started at 2:30 pm and entry fee was £1, the stand being double that and boys and girls half price. The purchasing power of the £1 in 1924 would be £50 in 2023. That maybe goes some way to explaining the disappointing attendance. The report on the event in the ‘Edinburgh Evening News’ began as follows.
“Though there was only one record broken at the inter-scholastics at Inverleith, there were some performances which must rank among the best ever seen at this meeting. It is safe to say that no one will ever run a race like JFA Wood did in the quarter-mile and not break a record. From an Edinburgh point of view his success in this race was the most gratifying of the day, for he was disappointing in other events in which he was expected to shine. Despite the fact that the number of entries for the quarter-mile warranted the race being run in heats, it was decided to start some 20 runners at once and get the event over. As in former years the limited accommodation of the track was much in evidence and someone had to suffer. Wood’s position was a most unenviable one and for him to win the race seemed an impossible task. Three times he tried to burst through and three times he failed. When at last he did manoeuvre into position he was yards behind Piggott of Bellahouston Academy who was leading. Wood however put in a great finish and got home by the narrowest of margins. His success was a most popular one and but for his unfortunate experience he would probably have beaten A McKay’s 1923 record of 54 1/5th seconds. As it was Wood was only 2 seconds out. His exertions here prevented him turning out in the high jump.
“It was interesting to note the way in which some of the fancied candidates were beaten by the ‘dark horses’. A McLean, Dunfermline High School, upset calculations in the sprint, by beating C Harrison, Eastbank Academy, in a fast final. The Dunfermline boy is a fine runner capable of good finishes. Wood, the Stewart’s champion had to be satisfied with third place. “
The report concluded with a report on the record breaker. “It was left to D Honeyman, Dunfermline High School, to set up the only new record. In the 300 yards Under 14 he covered the distance in 38 1/5th thus beating A McGeorge’s 1919 record of 39 seconds. Honeyman also won the 100 yards and was the outstanding boy in his class. In the Under 16 events, WG Wylie, Hutchesons Grammar School, caught the eye in the sprint and should be heard of again though the standard in this class has often been better.
“As a result of the Sports, Stewart’s carried off the honours with four firsts and two seconds, while Heriot’s had three firsts and two seconds. Dunfermline High School also did exceptionally well having three firsts and winning both relay races.”
Results from the ‘Scotsman’ of May 19th, 1924.
Summary of winners:-
Open Events
| EVENT | WINNER | SCHOOL | PERFORMANCE |
| 100 Yards | A McLean | Dunfermline High School | 10.8 seconds |
| 440 Yards | JFA Wood | Stewart’s College | 56.2 seconds |
| One Mile | J Drummond | George Heriot’s | 4 min 58.2 sec |
| 120 Yards Hurdles | JFA Wood | Stewart’s College | 17 seconds |
| High Jump | R Munn | Kilmarnock Academy | 5′ 0″ |
| Broad Jump | JFA Wood | Stewart’s College | 20′ 8 1/2″ |
| Throwing the Javelin | A Johnstone | Rothesay Academy | 86 yards 1 foor 8 inches |
| Putting the Weight | P Ewan | George Heriot’s | 35′ 8″ |
| Relay | Dunfermline High School | 1408 Yards | 3 min 09 sec |
Under 16
| EVENT | WINNER | SCHOOL | PERFORMANCE |
| 100 Yards | WG Wylie | Hutcheson’s Grammar School | 11.4 seconds |
| 880 Yards | GK Cumming | Morrison’s Academy | 2 min 18.8 sec |
| 120 Yards Hurdles | M Robson | George Heriot’s | 19.4 seconds |
| High Jump | A Ness
J Gillespie M Robson |
Bell Baxter School
Rothesay Academy George Heriot’s |
4′ 10″ |
| Broad Jump | R Carvolth
C Brown |
Hutcheson GS
Dollar Academy |
17’2″ |
Under 14
| EVENT | WINNER | SCHOOL | PERFORMANCE |
| 100 Yards | D Honeyman | Dunfermline High School | 12.4 seconds |
| 300 Yards | D Honeyman | Dunfermline High School | 38.2 seconds * |
| High Jump | J Millar
M Stewart |
Waid Academy
Alloa Academy |
4′ 4″ |
| Broad Jump | G Kerr | Stewart’s College | 15′ 5″ |
| Relay | Dunfermline High School | 704 yards | 1 min 32.4 sec |
11 schools provided event winners, there were 19 schools listed in the more detailed results above, and the Dunfermline High School seemed to have a conveyor belt of sprinters – 1100 yards and relay in the Open category, 100 and 300 yards plus relay for the Under 13’s.