Northern Lights Draw Harriers to Aberdeen
December 12th, 2005Gala Harriers had nine runners taking part in the East District XC Championships in Aberdeen on Saturday. The men's team was well led by Euan Jardine again who finished 21st from the 163 starters, a position which last year he would have been very happy with but he was disappointed with his performance this year at Aberdeen.
Rory Methven is another promising talent in the club and he ran his best cross country race yet, finishing a very respectable 52nd overall and 10th U20 male. Rory was particularly pleased as he managed to nip past Fergus Johnston on the final run in, with Fergus finishing close behind in 59th place.
The ever improving Graeme Murdoch was the next harrier over the line, finishing 92nd in a time of 39.27. Selkirk High School 6th Year pupil Ewan Lindores ran a strong race over the 9.8 km course finishing 105th and just keeping in front of men's captain, (and his graphics teacher), Robin Murray, who finished close behind but not close enough in 108th spot. Jim Langsdale overcame a sore knee injury to finish 123rd in 42.49 and it was left to a spirited sprint finish between Davy Darroch and Malky Gowans to separate the last two harriers in the race. Davy took the honours this time, just holding off Malky as they finished 140th and 141st respectively.
Setting off at 7.00 am with coach Neil Renton was Gillian Inglis who was the only junior harrier running in the absence of the ill Alice Haining. Gillian was running well until she twisted her knee half way round the last lap of her race and had to limp out. Well done to Gillian who at least made the effort, which is more than can be said for the ladies of Gala Harriers who once again failed to have a single runner at a major race, unless you count second claim runner Kate Jenkins, who finished 14th in the ladies race running for Carnethy HRC.
Next race for the harriers is in the Winter XC Series, which is at the White Sands beach outside Dunbar on Sunday 18th December. It's hoped to have a good turnout of junior harriers for the 11.30 am start but there could be one or two missing from the senior ranks, with the harriers Christmas night out on Saturday.
