East District Relays and Junior Fell Running
October 13th, 2008The cross-country athletics season kicked off in style last weekend with the East District Relay championships held in sunny Prestonpans on Saturday with harriers of all ages enjoying the flat course under bright autumn skies.
First off were the young females who equipped themselves well over 3K in the windy conditions, with the A team coming home 10th out of 35 starting teams and the B team not that far behind in 15th. For the A team, Kerry Sandilands (U13) ran a fine opening leg in 11 minutes and 27 seconds and handed over to Charlotte Brown (U15) who bettered her time by seven seconds in an excellent 11.20, with Hannah Jones (U15) running the anchor leg in 11.39. For the B team, Alison Brown (U13) ran a good first leg in 12.07, handing over to an in-form Emily Jones (U15) who put in a grand time of 11.43, while Gillian Ingles (U17) rounded their efforts off in a solid anchor leg in 12.15.
The senior females also fielded two teams over a longer course and the A team were led off by Rachel Fagan who completed her leg in an impressive 17.02 and was followed by Katy Anderson, who, with a superb effort put the team in 4th place with her lap of 16.16. Gillian Duncan, on her return to full fitness completed hers in 18.43 giving the A team an eventual 9th position out of 30 teams. The B team acquitted themselves well and finished in 17th place with runs of 18.30 from Eileen Nicol, 18.22 from Margot Crosbie and young Gillian Ingles running again to complete the team in 20.17.
There were 54 mens’ teams competing and the Gala A team finished in 26th place with a storming first leg by Graeme Murdoch in 13.55, followed by Derrick Brydon in 16.25, Gregor McAneny in 16.19 and Martin Clarke in 16.46. The B team, made up of Tommy Knox, new mens’ captain Magnus Inglis, Billy McCulloch and Davey Darroch finished in 41st place.
See photographs of relays in the photo gallery.
If some of the seniors found the start of the cross country season quite a challenge, this was clearly not the case for Alice Haining who pulled on her fell running shoes and stormed to victory in the Junior Home Hill Running International, staged this year in the Pentland Hills at Bonaly Country Park in Edinburgh. She took on English, Irish and Scottish rivals to clinch first place in a tough hill course over 3.3K. Although conditions were perfect, the route was exceptionally demanding, particularly over the first steep ascent but Alice’s time of 15 minutes and 7 seconds was enough to ensure that she was first girl home in the under 14 category, beaten only by 4 boys.
Alice Haining 1
Alice Haining 2 photo
The next competition for the Harriers is the East District Cross Country League on Saturday 18 October at Livingston. Action starts at 1 pm. The next day, Sunday 19 October sees the Jedburgh Half Marathon, which starts at 11am.
Gregor McAneny Says:
Good day had by all at The Pans though special mention goes out to Davy D who had the fastest time over 2 miles of the day….he was the only one who ran 2 miles tho as the course was 2.5 miles long!! I propose the club buy him Sat Nav for Christmas.
Also, easy seeing Tony took the photos as 70% of them were of Gillian. Can I also request either an 18 certificate on the photos of me or that no more are taken till I lose a stone or two?
Tony Says:
Gregor,
I’ve always found it difficult to take quality photos of runners even with a quality camera, so it would be bloody impossible to take pictures of the Harriers whilst carrying Poppy. Mr G. Capper was the photographer whilst the ladies were running and he maybe just skewed the photos in Gillian’s favour as it was my camera or he has a soft spot for GD.
Anyway will have to splash more cash on camera equipment if you don’t loose some way quick i.e wide angle.
Well done all, it was good fun watching and looking forward to watching you all again soon, or better still running the race.
rosi capper Says:
Aha! - how did Davy D shave half a mile off the course?! I was most impressed at his time when I wrote the report and didn’t think to question it! You all look great in the photies! - and I think GC was just making sure there were a lot of Gillian for Poppy’s album!!…but I think he has a soft spot too! Will ask Tony to forward some for the press this week. Rosi