East District X/C Relays 2010
October 11th, 2010The first East District Cross Country event of the season took place on Saturday on a cool breezy day in East Lothian, with the relay championships at the Meadowmill Sports Centre, Prestonpans.
Gala Harriers fielded a range of teams, probably the best turnout for a few years, inspired perhaps by the Team Captains’ words of encouragement at the recent AGM. There were no junior boys running as a team which is a disappointment but the Young Females more than made up for it with gutsy runs from all their representatives. Teams comprise a runner from each of the Under 13,15 and 17 age categories and the girls’ “A” team kicked off with young Jo Arres, still in the U13s who covered the 2.5 kilometres of flat grassy playing fields in 11 minutes 45 seconds. She handed on to Kerry Sandilands (U15) who had the run of her life to put in a lap of 10.52, the 4th fastest of the day. Isla King (U17) completed the final leg in 11.39 to ensure the team finished in a very creditable 11th place from 29 starting teams. A depleted girls’ “B” team nevertheless competed bravely with Jenny Burrows and Morven Cawthorn running at this level for the first time and coming home in 12.53 and 13 24 respectively.
For the seniors, another 1.5 k was added to the course and this took the action onto some more challenging ploughed fields with a bit of undulation. Two teams of ladies stepped up, with Rachel Fagan and Gillian Bryson taking on the first leg within the ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams. Rachel (16.08) recorded a solid start then passed on to Georgia Nesbitt (15.29) who put a storming second leg in to pick off several of the opposition up ahead of her, leaving Dianne Lauder to deliver the 7th fastest lap of the day (14.41) and bring the team home in 7th place. In the ‘B’ team, Gillian (19.11) was followed up by Fiona Shepherd (18.24), fresh from the Loch Ness Marathon the weekend before, who passed on to Fiona Dalgleish (16.58) to bring them home in 23rd place from 38 starters.
Three and a bit men’s teams started the event and with hindsight a reshuffle might have given the ‘A’ team a better position than their eventual 23rd out of 61 starting teams. But Graeme Murdoch started the ‘A’ team off in style with his lap of 13.10, passing on to Mark Bryson (14.12) Euan Jardine (14.08) and Fergus Johnstone (16.52) bringing the team home. The ‘B’ team of Gregor McAneny (14.59) Magnus Ingles (15.49) Malky Gowans (16.30) and David Moffat (14.57) took 37th place. Bob Marshall (16.03) Derrick Brydon (16.03) Billy McCulloch(15.51) and Alan Goodson (15.06) made up a very consistent ‘C’ team with Tony Lunn running out of friends and having to go it alone in 16.11.
THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD: East District Cross Country League, Stirling University, Saturday 16 October.
rachel Says:
Well done to all who competed and committed to turning out at PrestonPans this weekend. Team decisions are made under the guidance of coaches. Participating athletes as well as captains work hard to support the club.
rachel Says:
Also congratulations to the men’s vet team who came an excellent 6th. Well done.
rosi capper Says:
I agree! Please can ANYONE (captains/coaches/a nominated club runner) phone/email me (01578 740269 or rosi@westruther.com)timeously with any details about a race day which will ensure that our race reports (which HAVE to be done late on a Sunday) are both accurate and interesting. I have to interpret and put a spin on the website results otherwise the reports would be as dry as the Teviotdale ones (compare the two in this week’s Southern – is that what we want?) and getting helpful information after it’s gone to press is very frustrating!! Thanks all! Rosi
Georgia Nesbitt Says:
I was wondering is anyone racing at Tinto on the 13th November or interested in racing?
Paul Morris Says:
Hi Georgia,
yes, Fiona & I are both planning to do it. You need to pre-enter on line.
Paul