The late Dr. Jeannie Cameron was inducted for her almost 40 years as a stellar track-and-field athlete. Known for her “physical prowess” in any sport she tried, the Antigonish native was selected athlete of the Games in 1975, where she won five gold and two silver medals. While dominating women’s running in Atlantic Canada from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, Cameron remained a fixture at her beloved Games. She continued to run throughout her life with success in road races such as the annual Games’ five-miler where she remains the record-holder in both female master and senior master divisions.

In 2017 the Antigonish Highland Society dedicated the Games to the memory of Dr. Jeanie Cameron.  In his dedication to Jeanie, which was published in the program of that year, local historian, Leonard PD MacDonald wrote the following:

“Every generation produces special people; people who stretch boundaries and push the limits.  They inspire us and amaze us with their raw talent and fierce determination.  They are the ones who constantly strive for excellence, even when obstacles are thrown in their path”.

Jeanie Cameron was one of these people.  Jeanie was born to run.

From an early age, Jeanie’s physical prowess was obvious.  She excelled at any sport she tried.  In Junior High, she was an accomplished javelin thrower, won the 1500 metres and was a member of the winning relay team.

In July 1975, ‘The Casket’ reported:  Jeanie Cameron, of the Antigonish Highland Society Track and Field Team was chosen as the athlete of the 1975 Games.  Jeanie won five gold and two silver medals during the two days of events.  In midget girls she captured the 1500 metres, the 800 metres and the javelin, and took second with her teammates in the 400 metre relay.  On Saturday she again won the Open women’s javelin and also took second in the 400 metre relay.  It was in the new event, the 3000 metres, that she proved her versatility.  This event, the longest distance for women and a new event at the Games, was expected to be very tough for the novice.  Jeanie won the event in a respectable clocking of 11 minutes 02.4 seconds.

In 1977 she competed in the Canada Games in Newfoundland.  Running against one of the best runners in the country, she failed to win.  Two short weeks later at Junior Nationals in Montreal, she beat all of the elite runners in Canada to win the title.  Based on these results, she was asked to attend Senior Nationals that fall (as a Junior) where she place fifth, and became a member of the Senior National team.  She participated in the World Championships in Scotland in 1978.

From the late 70’s to the mid 80’s, Jeanie dominated women’s running in Atlantic Canada.  She remained a fixture at the Antigonish Highland Games for many years.

Her coach, Bernie Chisholm, encouraged her to tackle longer distances.  She trained for her first half marathon in Ottawa.  Upon arrival, she decided that she had travelled too long a distance to do just the half.  She registered for the marathon and won the women’s division.

Jeanie completed her undergraduate degree at St.FX and went on to Dalhousie University to pursue medicine.  She continued to run, and at every event she entered her goal was to win; such was her competitive streak.  Running became part of her daily routine as she began her medical career.  She found success in road races, and continues to be the record holder in the Antigonish Highland Games 5 Mile Road Race in both the Female Master and Female Senior Master divisions.

For a period of close to 40 years, Jeanie was a competitor at the Highland Games.