Today's National Cross Country Championships at Callendar Park in Falkirk represented a significant step towards a great running future for one young Harrier and a whole load of "fun" in the sun for the rest of us. Watch this blog for a separate report to follow on the various junior races which included the best individual performance ever by a Harrier in a National Cross Country......
In the senior races, Frances Maxwell was our only representative in a field of 184 women on a firm but tough 8km course. Frances is in great form just now and was rewarded with a finishing position of 88th and a time of 36:57, beating many of her regular rivals. Naturally, Frances extends her lead in the Club Championship and Grand Prix. Nine Harriers' men made it to the start line to join one of the biggest National fields I have seen for many years. The cavalry charge of around 450 men seemed faster and more tightly grouped than usual as the frozen ground provided excellent traction for all up the first hill at the start of the 12km course. By the end of the first lap the field was relatively strung out but with many close battles throughout the field.
Alan Cullie was away and clear for the Harriers from the gun and stretched out to finish strongly in 47:25 (162nd). Eddie Reid found the field so tightly packed on the first lap that he was almost pushed into the frozen pond! Had he been wearing skates that could have been a handy short cut. However Eddie recovered from that incident to finish in 49:53 (227th). Ian Rae's strength on the country was in evidence as he stayed in front of Jim Holmes to record a time of 52:16 with Jim slipping gradually back with each lap to finish in 52:57. Having just returned from a family holiday, Jim does not recommend Disneyland Paris as a suitable training camp for the National. Stuart Waugh made his return to the National after an absence of 4 years and was hot on Jim's heels, finishing in 53:09, comprehensively beating many of his veteran rivals. David Herbertson was in close contention with Ian, Jim and Stuart after the first lap but gradually faded to finish in 53:56, a time he was however delighted with. David Wardrope is well into his marathon training now and wanted to maintain a good, consistent pace throughout. This he seemed to do, finishing in 61:08. Chas Steven looked comfortable and strong as he powered through the course, finishing in 67:19. Russell Couper knew he was going to stuggle with the distance and indeed became increasingly detached from Chas as the race progressed. Russell crossed the line in 69:52.
Now that several Harriers have hit the 11 race limit the points impact is not as obvious as it seems and David Wardrope actually extended his lead in the Grand Prix slightly. However Alan Cullie, Eddie Reid, Russell Couper and David Herbertson are piling up behind David, all separated by only 2 points. In the scratch championship, Alan Cullie's lead has been closed down to 3 points over Eddie Reid.
Click here for further photos from the senior events. It was a cold day for spectating so thanks to the Harriers who were there to lend their support.
Meanwhile in Pollok Park three Harriers started the day with the parkrun 5k. Despite the National taking some runners away, the field was still an impressive 257. John McBride is now doing these events regularly and this morning he achieved a massive course best and 5k pb of 22:56, an improvement of around 30 seconds. A short distance ahead of John, Genevieve Freeman and George Stewart were enjoying their first parkruns and provided the shock result of the day if not the season. George found his fast twitch fibres in uncharacteristically short supply as he was out sprinted by Genevieve in the final 200m, Genevieve finishing in 22:47 as 4th lady with George 1 second behind. Will he ever be allowed to forget this one! Well done to all who took part in the National and parkrun.
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