National XC - Solid as a Rock

A preceding week free of rain provided the best conditions on the Callendar Park National Cross Country course that I can remember. In complete contrast to last year's mud bath, the 10km, 3 lap course for senior women and men was firm underfoot and not cutting up significantly except for the uphill stretch through the woods which was sticky rather than the usual slimy. We had a reasonable number of Harriers participating, boosted by a very strong turn out from our ladies. This would also be an easy, sunny introduction for the new, compact club tent.

After a full programme of junior races, the ladies were off in the early afternoon sunshine for 3 laps of the undulating course. A field of around 300 lined up in front of Callendar House for the initial charge towards the first hill and a gentle, curving ascent to the flat top of the hill where the course formed an expanding spiral of almost two loops before descending back towards Callendar House and the nearest end of the pond. A slight curve to the right and left brought the runners to the bottom of the famous muddy hill through the woods where the usual steep followed by gradual ascent stung the legs for the first time. A gentle and firm descent with a nasty off camber left turn through a gate led back into the sunshine and the golf course area which was again, unusually firm. A few hundred metres of good, level running and we were veering right around the end of the ditch and into the next field which was first used last year. This was also remarkably mud free and brought us round in a complete circle to enter the park again and the fast, flat section leading back to the tented village. There we had the visually gentle but physically draining climb past the Calderglen tent to the top of the wall where we turned left and ran parallel to the main road behind the tower blocks as we did in previous years. However, a slight jink to the right took us across a shallow part of the ditch where we continued to the usual turning point at the far end and doubled back towards the main drive. For the first time I can remember, the short sharp climb up the bank for the final stretch towards the main drive was firm and runnable. The main change this year was that the main, red ash drive was only for the final lap. For laps one and two the course cut straight across the drive and continued parallel to the main road before eventually climbing up a steep bank and back onto the hill top plateau for lap 2.

Joanne looking strong

Joanne McEvoy was in fantastic form today and was well up the field from the early stages. Joanne kept her form well to finish in 86th position in 47:30. Emma Craig was looking strong, particularly on the uphill past the tent, finishing in 50:32 in this, her first National Cross Country. Frances Ferguson is very familiar with this course and ran a well judged 51:17. Karen Allen didn't look her usual self today and was perhaps a little down on where her recent form has suggested, finishing in 53:12. Sandy Hayden is piling in the races at the moment, this being her third race in a week, but is looking all the stronger for it, finishing in 60:20. Lorraine Buchanan was racing here for the first time, having spectated previously and picked a good year to make her debut! Lorraine finished in an excellent 64:31 and will have given her strength a real boost.

An hour and a half later, a field of 700 men lined up for their turn. With the sun beginning to drop behind Callendar House, most of the area behind the start line was in the shade and a freezing breeze. At least that was the explanation that Andy Buchanan and I gave to each other to justify our positions right up the front in row 2 and dead centre! I had visions of being trampled but the start was remarkably smooth until I arrived at the slight dip before the hill and was temporarily airborne. A few pushes and shoves accompanied the crowded ascent and then on the right turn at the top of the hill, I had my heels clipped and did a good windmill arms dive but somehow remained on my feet. By this point Andy was a good 10m or so ahead and powering onwards. Unbelievably given the size of the field, a few moments later I spotted the usual M50 rivals who I have ended up head to head with in every cross country race since the Scotland team trial last September. After over exerting a bit on the first lap and slipping back relative to my rivals, I started to make good progress through the field on lap 2. By lap 3 I had only one of the visible M50's to catch and, as was everyone else, I was pushing up to the red line as the last half lap approached. Somewhere on the golf course section I slipped past and kept pushing making up a good few places on the way. Dropping down onto the drive it was one mad sprint for the line, some places lost and some gained and heart rate through the roof. Andy had extended his lead to about 20 seconds and I saw his sprint being deployed from afar. Andy crossed the line in 41:15 in 214th position and I was 41:38 in 225th (no age group positions available yet).

Jim Holmes, not 55 but 50 years old.

Stephen "stuntman" Phimister was competing here for the first time and did really well until the final turn into the finishing straight where he slipped and fell. Rolling back to his feet, Stephen sprinted to the line in 46:34.  Kenny Leinster stives for every possible means of marginal gain, whether it is physical, nutritional or mental. Whichever combination of those he is focusing on now, it seems to be working as Kenny had a great run to finish in 48:35. This was birthday (plus 1 day) boy, Jim Holmes' first event as an M50 and Jim was glad that at least he would have a fair run on a firm course. Jim finished in 50:38 in the position he hoped to achieve relative to the other harriers. Well done Jim and welcome to the super competitive M50 category! Richard Lawton has made steady progress back to fitness through the cross country season and was pleased with his run and time of 51:42. After a strong performance at the Masters National in Kilmarnock, Geo Ferguson was a little out of sorts from the off today. This was later diagnosed as an overdose of biscuits on the way to the race. Geo finished in 52:22. Russell Couper looked strong and had some close battles with his regular rivals, crossing the line in 58:46. Chas first ran at Falkirk in the 1980's and has been a regular here ever since. So although disappointed with his current form, Chas was at least pleased to be running here on such a glorious day, crossing the line in 66:14.

On a day when most of us were spotlessly clean........... Stephen Phimister

Well done to all the Harriers for supporting this iconic event on the Scottish race calendar. A big thanks to all our supporters, including the Phimisters, Charlie and Eddie.

There is some spectacular footage from the drone of the mens and ladies races. Provisional results are on the Scottish Athletics event page here.

Alan

The Grand Prix has been updated following this race.