National XC - Another Mud Bath

Frances on one of the less muddy parts of the course (photo from K Phillips)

Driech does not begin to describe the conditions that greeted us on arrival at Callendar Park in Falkirk this afternoon for the 114th National Cross Country Championship. Our young athletes had set the ball rolling earlier in the day, churning up nicely the first few km's of the familiar course. By the time Frances Maxwell lined up as our lone representative in the senior ladies race the rain had eased off a little but the underfoot conditions were very heavy indeed. Frances had two big laps to cover, totalling 8km. The first 500m climbed up a firm, grassy slope before doubling back down the hill into the first section of mud-plugging. A sharp, slippery left turn around a tree took us along the side of the pond and then onto a stony path down the other side of the pond. Now it went from too soft to too firm as spikes met stones. But not for long. After about 1.5k we turned off the path and up the biggest, muddiest climb on the course, rising 60 feet through the trees. This seemed to be the most popular spectator location on the course for some reason! By 2k we had descended again through another severely muddy section and were on a relatively flat, firm section parallel to the deep ditch (Antonine Wall) running through the park. Inevitably the course plunged down into this ditch (which was full of water this year) and up the steep bank on the other side (what were the Roman's thinking if they thought this was going to keep the Caledonians at bay!). Then a flat run back to the main arena in front of Callendar House and the long steady ascent to the avenue of pine trees running parallel to the main road. This was mainly good running except on the way back, where the last 200m before rejoining the red blaze drive was another mud-fest. So down the drive and on to the start of another 4k lap, one more for the ladies and two more for the men.

Frances kept her position throughout the race and responded to our vocal support in the final 100m to make up a further place at the line, finishing in 107th positon out of 201 finishers in a time of 37:21. Once again, Frances thoroughly enjoyed the cross country experience.

Me starting Lap 2 or 3 (photo: K Phillips)

A very large field (451) formed for the senior men's race. I usually get muscled out in the initial cavalry charge but this time I found a good line on the outside and tracked two of Cambuslang's vets through the first km. Lap 2 was uneventful except for an unplanned, one legged pirouette trying to take the muddy left turn on the approach to the pond. By the last lap I was running strongly and more or less in the same position that I had established on lap 1. In the final 2k I was able to pick up the pace and moved ahead of a few more and then launched a sustained acceleration down the finishing straight to catch and pass another couple, finishing 94th in 45:41. Probably the fittest (but not the fastest!) I have been for a National for many years. As this was Martin Duthie's fourth Scottish championship race in 3 successive weekends, he must have been less than fresh. But still Martin ran his usual strong race, despite a fall and powered home in 47:31. Eddie Reid maintained his relaxed style and good form (he was trying, Sandra, honest) to finish in a fine 51:57. Scot Hill is getting himself back to good shape and surprised himself by coming in 4th Harrier in a time of 53:42. Kenny Leinster put in another outstanding "debut" performance, not having run a cross-country race for 37 years but revelling in the conditions to finish in 54:00.Kenny, Ian Rae and Stuart Waugh swapped positions in the final part of the race with Ian coming in ahead of Stuart in 54:02 and Stuart in 54:06. Jim Holmes is usually in the mix with Stuart and Ian but was out of sorts today and was disappointed with his position and time of 54:58.

Martin in the pack (Photo: Andy Henderson)

Next home was Gerry Mullen (56:42) who was unaware that he was being caught by George Stewart (57:12) on the last lap until the point that Gerry heard George shout to the Harriers' supporters "does Gerry know I'm behind him?". What better motivation can you get? Even so George was pleased with his improving form, claiming the race was not long enough for him and also delighted to be ahead of a runner who previously beat George 6 days in a row on the Tour of Fife. David Herbertson injured his hip adductor several weeks ago on a weekend training run and that flared up during the race meaning he could only go for completion today rather than a time (59:55). To top it all, George Stewart's recently developed physiotherapy skills were not on offer to David post-race for some reason. Maybe that's a good thing. David Wardrope was under severe psychological pressure from Russell in the week leading up to the race but held his nerve to finish ahead in 63:59. Russell continued his gradual return to form with a time of 68:37, being the only Harrier to improve on last year when the underfoot conditions were better. Everyone else was at least a couple of minutes down.

We had plenty of support and photographers on course with the injured Andy Henderson appearing all over the course somehow and Frances, Sandra and Maud very vocal in their support. Many thanks to all. An album of Kenny Phillips' and Andy Henderson's photos is here. Plenty of Harriers evident in the photo album from Roadrunningpics.com. More photos to follow.

A special mention for former Harrier Stuart Gibson who finished an outstanding 9th in 40:21, a staggering 75 or so positions higher than he has ever finished before. He should win it next year if this progress continues!

Alan