This year’s National Cross Country Championship took place at the usual venue of Callendar Park just outside Falkirk. Unlike last year, the weather conditions were nearly perfect with a cold sunny day and the course fairly dry underfoot. This was also the last year of the different courses for senior Men (12 km) and Ladies (8 km). Next year, both senior races will run a distance of 10 km and for me this is very welcome news. The 12 km round this course is the toughest race of the year, as confirmed by some of the club members who were running it for the first time. The 4 km loop was slightly different this year and based on a few Garmin’s slightly longer with the men’s race closer to 12.5 km. This was confirmed by the winning times. Last year Andrew Buchart from Central AC won the men’s race in awful conditions in 38.06. In perfect conditions, he won it again this year in 40.02.
The ladies race was won by Elizabeth Potter from VP-Glasgow in 29.45.
Compared to only one runner last year, the Maryhill Harriers had a fantastic line-up this year with a complete men’s team (first since 1996) and a complete ladies team (first since 1975 when we won!). Below are the results:
Ladies Race (264 finishers):
138th: Natalie Somerville (39.47)
211th: Catriona Nisbet (43.43)
251st: Margaret Peebles (49.10)
257th: Liz Towers (51.05)
Men’s Race (631 finishers):
389th: Andrew Sutherland (55.18)
466th Craig White (57.40)
468th Kieran Sullivan (57.52)
478th: Scott Coulter (58.11)
547th: Duncan Riddell (1.01.27)
619th Kenny Stevenson (1.09.44)
626th Chris Hever (1.14.03)
Well done to everyone for finishing their respective races. Special mention to Kieran for a remarkable last lap where he moved up through the field and finished just behind Craig.
