Norham Cross Country Race Report
November 19th, 2007The morning rain clouds parted, producing great running conditions for the first in the Borders Winter Cross Country series at Norham on Sunday. What is traditionally a slippery and muddy course underfoot was no different from usual with some particularly dodgy parts by the river, but performances on the day from Gala Harriers athletes reflected the perfect running weather and the slightly shortened course.
Some of the Club’s senior athletes and coaches had been listening to some motivational speeches from coaches and former athletes just the day before at an international coaching conference in Glasgow. Olympic javelin thrower Steve Backley used the words: “ if not you, who? If not now, when?” borrowed from the Olympic Rowing team and some of the junior harriers could have had this ringing in their ears as they stormed their way around the 1.5 mile course.
First home for the Club in the girls’ race was spritely Hannah Jones, followed by Lucy Morris, Emily Jones, Martha Douglas, Laura Anderson, Harriet Murray, Gillian Sandie, Claire White, Katherine Arkley, Rhona Gowans, Hannah McCrae and Jo Marr. The boys’ team also ran their hearts out, with Cameron Fair crossing the line as first Harrier home, followed by David Bonnar and Rowan Marr, with Cammy Gowans and his younger brother Fraser and Hamish Rodwell just behind. Their efforts put the junior team in 2nd place overall which was a superb result.
Conditions near the Tweed were so treacherous that the course was shortened for the seniors and the 3.8 mile course suited Damon Rodwell who impressed as the first Harrier home, followed by Neil Aitchison, Alan Goodson and Iain Bell as the first four runners to count for the club. Not far behind were president Robin Murray beating veteran Jack Knox, Malky Gowans, Will McDermott, Allan Gordon and Paul Morris.
Laura Goodson, who usually competes for her Edinburgh club, donned a Gala vest for this event and completed the senior race, finishing behind in-form Fiona Dalgleish, - first lady home for the harriers, but in front of Jane Chalmers, Sheila MacNab, Fiona Shepherd and Shelagh King, who all put in gutsy runs in the challenging underfoot conditions.
(No times available at the time of writing, but runners are in the right order; – these will be found on bordersxc.info)
Both junior and senior Harriers teams next compete in Kirkcaldy in the East District League Cross Country races on 25th November.
