West District XC - An Andy Perspective

Eight Harriers made the journey to Linwood for the West District cross-country.  Weather conditions en route to the venue were not inspiring, dark skies persistent rain and blustery winds.  Arriving at the race around 1pm, I passed by the half dozen club tents sheltering runners whom had already raced.  They stood plastered in mud and shivering in scant shorts and vests but with high spirits. I was glad to at least have an hour before stripping down to racing kit and braving the elements.

The course consisted of different configurations and laps of one large lap, dependant on their gender and age groups, with most races completing at least one full large lap of 2km.  The technical course, though not particularly hilly, presented its challenges with a good range of typical cross-country features.  Tight turns, sections of deep soft mud, and narrow winding boggy sections all requiring strength and good judgement of route selection proving key to save energy, while simultaneously jostling with other runners. Mixed in were a few short hilly drags and short steep sections requiring only 4 or 5 bounds to reach the crests.  A flat firmer section around some football pitches for about 400m also made for faster running or a chance to recover the breathing before moving back to the mud.

The women’s race involved 2 large laps and 1 medium lap to cover a 6400m course already well trodden by hordes of previous younger age category races.  Frances Maxwell ran strongly as is becoming her trait in tough and longer races to finish in time of 30.34. Frances also finished 2nd F50, only 41 seconds behind the top F50 spot.  Karen Allen also ran well to finish in 32.04 and 55th position within the field of 93 making light of the tough underfoot conditions.  When I asked her how the course was I think she replied “its just like running round Bramcumhall”.  I’m not fully inclined to agree with this statement.

The men’s race began an hour later and was to cover 10km consisting of 4 large laps.  I had invested not an ounce of time to familiarising myself with the course and made some tactical errors. Firstly, assuming the first turn was left after the initial start and so positioned myself in the worst possible place as the field swung hard right up a narrow incline.  Secondly, budgeting all my energy towards an 8k race unknowing it was in fact a 10k race.  The first lap, as is usual in a tight winding course, consisted of the usual congestion and jostling for positions amongst the heavy breathing of misguided runners unknowingly plunging deep into anaerobic debt.  Once onto the second and third laps things calmed down with better options available for navigating or skirting the deep boggy sections of the course and taking shorter lines round the numerous tight corners.  After the initial shock of realising I had a further 2km to run I regained myself (just) to finish the course with my second sprint finish of the day in 39.45 and 53rd position.   Next up was Andrew McCafrey proving he must run more than just once a year at the training camp to finish in 42.54.  Next was Andy Henderson in 47.30 and finished 2nd M60.  Jim Holmes completed the course well in 49.07.

Hugh Simpson took no chances with the weather and wrapped himself up head to toe, including wearing his vest over a waterproof jacket, which I found rather amusing. However this was obviously of little hindrance as Hugh finished in 59.09.  Finally Russell resiliently trudged the tough course in 67.39 after three weeks off running and with a back injury but securing valuable points to keep his grand prix campaign dream alive. Thanks to Sandy for the pictures, in the difficult conditions for supporting and photographing!


Thanks to Andy B for the great report and Sandy for the pictures which capture the atmosphere very well indeed! More photos here (note to Andy B; this is Andy McC's second race as he did make it to Cumbernauld..................).