National XC Championships

 It was perfect running weather at Callander Park in Falkirk on Saturday for the National XC championships.  It was calm, about 10 degrees and dry/drizzly for the most part though there were a few heavy rain showers during the senior men’s race.

First up was Charlotte Buchanan in the U13 girls 3.4K race, Charlotte had a strong run finishing in 14:09 in 38th position from a field of 132. Luca MacArthur was next to run in the U13 boys 3.4K race. Luca also ran well finishing in 16:27. Our next junior athlete was Hamish Anderson in the U15 boys 4.3k race who also had a great run finishing in 15:36 in 30th place from 99. Well done to our 3 junior athletes.

The senior ladies race was next up and there was a lot of interest in this one with Laura Muir taking part for the first time in 14 years. 10k is a step up in distance from her usual 1500m, however her class shone through to take the title by a 13 second margin with Scout Adkin in 2nd place. Laura also showed what a true role model she is taking time to sign Charlottes vest for her and answer questions before the race. Further back in the field, Alison, Frances, Claire and Lorraine were hoping not to be lapped by Laura on the 3 lap course. The sticky muddy section at the bottom of the first hill claimed Claire’s shoe on the first lap forcing her to stop to get it back on. Alison, Claire and Frances were delighted to get round the 2 laps before Laura came round to the finish. Alison was first harrier back in 51:06, followed by Frances in 53:10 with Claire taking on a 10k cross country for the first time not far behind in 53:53. Lorraine Buchanan was glad to get to the finish and get a hard run in finishing in 67:36. 

The next race with harriers interest was the U20 ladies who had a 7.6k course, consisting of 1 short lap and 2long. Rachel McPhillips felt her hamstring tight on the way round, however still ran strongly to finish in 37:07.

The senior men’s race was next up, where we had 7 runners on the start line. Unfortunately Iain MacLean pulled out injured on the first lap. Jordan Stewart had a great run, cheered on by his dog in harriers colours, showing he’s back to his good form finishing the 10k race in 37:57. Jason Grant was the next harrier in finishing in 46:37, with Andrew Buchanan not too far behind in 47:30 then another short distance behind was Andrew Higgins in 48:16. Richard Lawton was running here for the first time in several years and finished in 56:40. Russell Couper was the star of the day, with his shoes falling apart on the 2nd lap he opted to take them off to stop them flapping about and ran the final lap barefoot! Not easy in the mud, with Russell falling 4 times on this lap. Never the less he battled to the finish, finishing in a time of 71:28. Well done Russell and team harriers!

Thanks to Louise, Alan, and Jordan’s girlfriend for coming along to support and Robert Pattinson for marshalling, your shouts at the far end of the course were much appreciated. Thanks also to Lorraine, Andrew B and Frances for coming for the first junior race and staying all day for the end of the senior men’s race as is a long day. And finally thanks to the bakers Frances and Andrew H for the home baking.