National XC Relay - Murky up the M80

 

After an absence of 3 years, the National XC Relays returned to their traditional venue at Cumbernauld with wet and murky conditions which were all too familiar to those of us who have competed here often over the past 20 years or so. However, this time there was no wind meaning the club tent was a safe haven. Scottish Athletics declared a record entry in both the ladies' and men's races and this was evident to the eye, particularly watching the early legs when there seemed to be a never ending procession of runners covering at least half the lap!

The early legs in the ladies race got the best of the conditions as the rain had not yet started and the course was not too cut up (just the usual place on the plateau up beside the houses and the descent from there). Making her cross country debut, Julia Pechlof led our incomplete ladies team off as the field was rapidly stretched out by internationalists at the front. Julia paced the run well and just missed the 20 minute barrier for the 4km lap with a time of 20:02. The rain started more or less as Lorraine Buchanan started leg 2 but this was no problem at all for Lorraine who is building back up to full fitness and using the races very effectively for that purpose. Indeed Lorraine was the only Harrier to run faster on this much tougher Cumbernauld course than on the Kings Park course 2 weeks ago, finishing 19 seconds faster in 22:58 whereas everyone else was 20 to 40 seconds slower than Kings Park. Well done ladies.

For the men we had a complete senior team of 4 led off by Duncan McKellar, a complete M50 team of 3 led off by Stephen Phimister and an incomplete senior team led off by Gordon McInally. For the second XC in a row, Duncan was the fastest Harrier with a fine time of 15:57. Stephen declared the course too hilly and muddy for a thoroughbred such as he but still managed a strong run of 17:19. Gordon McInally continued to demonstrate the huge improvements he has been able to make over the past few years now that he is injury-free and finished in 19:18. Andrew Buchanan took over on leg 2 for the seniors and, just like wife Lorraine, continues to make progress on his return to fitness and racing, finishing in 16:31. The M50's had Martin Howell on leg 2 in conditions that were now definitely not suitable for a spectacle wearer. Martin struggled to see the way forward, finishing with glasses in hand in a time of 19:24 in what would turn out to be a very tight grouping of Harriers. Russell Couper completed our incomplete team and found it a tough slog but was happy with a time that was by no means his worst on this course, crossing the line in 22:27. Kevin Farmer made his season XC debut on leg 3 for the seniors with a plan of using these XC races to build his form and confidence and this he did very well with a competitive 17:06. The third and final leg for the M50 team was taken by team captain Jim Holmes who over many years has seen all the conditions that Cumbernauld has to offer. This experience was put to good use with a finish in 19:04. Then it was our senior team who completed Calderglen's afternoon of racing with Jason Grant finishing as 5th fastest Harrier in only his second XC race in a time of 18:44.

On a day that was not great for spectating, thanks to Emma Phimister for turning out to support her dad and the club and a big thanks to the Harriers who brought and set up the tent which was a necessity on this wet day. The conditions were not great for photography and my phone screen and lens couldn't cope after the first few legs but there are a few watery photos in this album.

Alan