Border X/C League: Dunbar
December 6th, 2007John Muir Country Park in Dunbar was the destination for a record turn out of Gala Harriers’ junior section as well as seasoned seniors on Sunday, in what were ideal racing conditions on a flat, fast and, it would appear almost unmarshalled cross country course.
The route was varied with beach, bog, forest track and two river crossings for the seniors ~ a perfect course marred by a lack of directions which meant that many of the juniors ran further than they should and were taking wrong turnings even within sight of the finish. Despite that, the juniors in particular put in brave and spirited performances and for the boys, Cammy Fair, David Bonnar, Rowan Marr and Andrew McCrirrick achieved high placings. In the girls’ races, twins Hannah and Emily Jones and Lucy Morris shone through and were amongst the top finishers, ensuring that the junior squad is lying currently in second place.
The club’s seniors handled the wet underfoot conditions well with Neil Aitchison being first Harrier home for the men and young Laura Goodson first female home for the club.
Next Saturday sees the East District Championships in Stirling when Harriers compete in an event with high hopes for success.
Avril Tobin Says:
Was interested to read the race report, but disappointed to note that the under-11 girls didn’t get a mention. Katherine Arkley in particular has run well on both of this season’s outings, and has worked hard for the placings she has achieved, in this her first season (7th and 5th respectively). Also omitted appears to be Rhona Gowans, and Martha Douglas (F12/13). It would no doubt add to their motivation should they see their names mentioned in the report and Southern Reporter, having their achievement recognised along with their team mates.
With thanks.
rosi capper Says:
In response to Avril Tobin’s very well made point, we do our best to reflect all runner’s efforts in the press reports and I apologise for any omissions, particularly in the most recent report of Dunbar’s event. Race reports can only be as good as the information supplied and with the Borders Winter XC series, I am entirely reliant on the Norham club’s webmaster for all the race results. For the first two races in the series, these have not been posted until very late on Sunday night after we’ve had to submit the race reports to the Southern and the Telegraph, and additionally they have been at times rather inaccurate. You will have noticed the contrast in detail in the reports of the Borders XC series from those of the East District League or our own events for example, where the results are up on the respective websites within a very short time of the races being finished.
A way around this is to ensure that collecting your time and placing, for both juniors and seniors, becomes the runner’s own responsibility and are then reported to the respective team captains before the runner leaves the event. The captains will then phone these into the press officer. This advice is already in the Information Sheet issued to all senior members joining in 2007/8.
Only then can we get a full picture of the great efforts of all our runners and reflect them accordingly. We want to make sure achievement is recognised across the board and our juniors are doing exceptionally well right now in all categories. Remember that all the club’s coaches, committee members, webmaster and press officer do this in their own time, when they would perhaps prefer to be running themselves!