National Cross Country Championships 2009: Falkirk
February 23rd, 2009On a mild, sunny and dry morning, Gala Harriers athletes travelled to Falkirk last Saturday for the Scottish Power National Cross Country championships, marking as usual the culmination of the domestic XC season. The course is set against the impressive pile of Callander House on the outskirts of the town and skirts the grassy parkland of the impressive estate, past an artificial loch, woodland and hilly rises to finish on a lovely downhill drive leading to the House itself.
In weather conditions that were almost springlike to start with but turned greyer and windier as the day progressed, the courses remained firm and dry underfoot which allowed for many faster times than last year. The day’s action kicked off with the Under 13 boys race in which young Rowan Marr and Frazer Gowans were representing the Harriers, competing against 135 other runners and equipping themselves well over the 3K lap of grassy parkland. Rowan, who has grown in strength and stamina in his second full year of competition ran superbly to finish 13th out of 139 runners in 12 minutes 58 seconds, with Frazer, running at national level for the first time finishing well with a grin on his face in 17.41.
The U13 girls were represented by Kerry Sandilands and Alison Brown, also first timers on the national scene and again, both girls ran out of their socks with Kerry putting in a tremendous performance to finish 15th out of 112 in 14.34 and Alison in 15.26 in 41st position. These results represent a real achievement for both girls, reflecting their determination and consistent hard work throughout the season.
Cameron Gowans was the sole Gala runner in the U15 boys’ and notched up another solid run in 17.09, again never turning down the opportunity to pull on his Gala vest against stern competition.
Last year the girls U13 team had come home with the bronze medal and hopes were reasonably high for another team medal performance in the U15s. Most of the girls from last year’s medal success had stepped up an age group and were up against much bigger competitors so they did very well to come through as the 4th team over the longer distance. Well done to Alice Haining who led the team home in a personal 4th place, despite not being able to repeat her stunning form on the Welsh hills recently and to Lucy Henderson-Morris who ran a superb race to finish 25th out of 107 in 16.43. Hannah and Emily Jones in 17.19 and 17.27 ensured that the Harriers finished well ahead of larger clubs like Central AC and the local Falkirk team.
The seniors had to complete 2 laps of the course under threatening skies and strengthening winds and 3 of the team of 6 women - Rachel Fagan, Leanne Haining and Eileen Nicol ran faster than last year to take 8th team place out of 22, one position better than 2008. The team were having to compete without the injured Dianne Lauder and Kate Jenkins who have helped the team to success in the past but nevertheless Katy Anderson led the women home in a superb run of 32.04 in 23rd place with Rachel only half a minute behind, 30 places better than last year. Gillian Duncan, fast returning to her best ran a well-judged 34.38 with Leanne and Eileen in excellent times of 34.56 and 36.06 respectively, in front of national virgin Fiona Shepherd in a steady 37.50.
A dozen senior Gala men were the last to compete in a huge field of almost 400 runners, but many again shaved good margins off their last year’s times and finished 15th team overall out of 28. First home for the club was consistently top performing Graeme Murdoch in 52nd place in 41.25, over 2 ½ minutes quicker than last year, followed by Euan Jardine (42.30) Fergus Johnston (46.46) Rob McCrirrick (46.58) Martin Clarke (48.46) Gregor McAneny (49.35) Derrick Brydon (50.06) Malky Gowans (50.52) Magnus Inglis (50.54) Tony Lunn (51.20) Robin Murray (54.05) Tommy Knox (56.16) and Davy Darroch (1.01.23).
Check out photo’s in the gallery
So it’s back to the roads now and the next outing for the Harriers is the Lasswade 10 mile race on Sunday 1st March.
