Wonderful weather greeted a record field at today's National 4km Cross Country Championships at Bellahouston Park. Despite a few call-off's, the Harriers were still out in force with 4 women and 12 men all of whom were on for a course best today due to a council enforced change to the lap (for the better according to those running). Also for the first time, the ladies were off first with all four Harriers competing closely and swapping positions several times on the first of two laps. By the second lap, Julie Beveridge had stretched away from Frances Maxwell and finished very strongly indeed in a time of 17:37. Frances was next home in a time of 18:22 but Karen Sturgeon closed in fast in the final stages (18:36). A below par Joanne McEvoy did not have her usual strength today but was still very much in the hunt with the other ladies, finishing close behind in 18:49. The first three of our ladies were 13th team.
A field of just over 200 lined up for the men's race, around double the normal, perhaps helped by the fact that the race was now in November at the end of the short relay season rather than in January when attention turns from speed to stamina and strength for the longer cross country championship races. Martin Duthie blazed a trail for the Harriers, working his way around the big puddles (despite being a strong swimmer) and clipping the hedges in the search for firm, dry ground. This tactic brought Martin home in a great time of 15:05. This was Andrew McCaffery's second cross country race ever and despite struggling to find his usual on-road pace on the soft surface, looked to be carrying good form throughout, finishing in 15:37.
Stephen Reilly had the right shoes for the job today but did find the pace on the heavy ground a shock to the system, recoding a time of 16:02. Eddie Reid maintained the relatively even spacing of the leading Harriers, finishing a further 21 seconds back in 16:23. Andy Henderson shook off the fast starting George Stewart (fresh from another race in darkest Fife on Thursday night) and pulled out a comfortable lead, crossing the line in 16:59. Meanwhile George would be happy to set a faster time than Julie again this week (17:24). Jim Holmes is still struggling to shake off a cold and consequently was not able to challenge George, finishing in 17:39. David Wardrope continues to quietly put together a strong Grand Prix series and today finished 8th Harrier in 18:55. A somewhat out of sorts Colin Banks was struggling today, finishing in 19:21 but well clear of the tightest Harriers competition raging behind him. On this occasion Richard Lawton used his strength (19:40) to overcome the ever smooth Hugh Simpson (19:51). However Russell Couper is definitely on a charge back to form and was well within reach of Richard and Hugh, finishing in 21:00.
Well done to all the Harriers competing today. Everyone features at least once in the rest of the
photos here.
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