Lindsay’s National Cross Country Championships

Posted in News, Race Reports on Mar 01, 2022

🤩 Last Saturday saw one of the most eagerly awaited events of the Scottish winter running calendar return to Callendar Park - Lindsay’s National Cross Country Championships!

🙌🏻 After a two year absence, the popular event was back again, attracting a hardy band of forty five senior and junior Harriers through to Falkirk to take part.

🍂 While the weather for the last month could be described at the very least as calamitous, on Saturday conditions were fair with a gentle breeze which made for some superb running conditions compared to recent years.

🌱 The ground was very runnable - almost firm in places. The exception to this was the course's natural defence, the aptly nicknamed 'Madman's gully', which accounted for a few falls, trips and slips from participants and an abundance of entertainment for the spectators!

Miguel Delgado on a flying visit from Spain led the Harriers men’s team home with a very fine run of 36:15 to finish well up the 600+ field in 53rd place. Following a recent spell in Kenya training, 🇰🇪 Colin Thomas was second Harrier home in 97th place. The next 4 Harriers finished within 32 seconds in the following order; Scott Mason, Darren McQuade, Fraser Armstrong and Stuart Miller. 🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻

⏱ The top 6 counters for Harriers men's team were: 36:15 - Miguel Delgado 53rd 37:51 - Colin Thomas 97th (11th V40) 38:19 - Scott Mason 106th (14th V40) 38:25 - Darren McQuade 112th 38:25 - Fraser Armstrong 113th 38:47 - Stuart Miller 125th

💪🏻 In 2020, the Harrier's 6th finisher was in 206th place compared to this year’s results where the 6th Harrier was in 125th place - demonstrating the strength in depth of the male team. The male team finished in 10th place overall which was an improvement by three places on the 2020 result.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Katherine Hylands headed up the Harrier’s ladies team who ran very well to claim a creditable 13th place. A strong second finisher for the team was Marianne Wilson, piping Claire McCormack putting in a solid performance as third counter.

⭐️ Recently joined member, Alison McKenzie, continues to improve and claimed a fine 4th place in the team closely followed by Becky Simister and Claire Fitzsimmons.

⏱ The top 6 counters for Harriers ladies team were: 46:36 - Katherine Hylands 86th 49:22 - Marianne Wilson 128th (16th V45) 49:54 - Claire McCormack 135th (6th V50) 50:44 - Alison McKenzie 151st 51:22 - Becky Simister 160th 52:14 - Claire Fitzsimmons 172nd

👏🏻 With such a successful day of running for the club, there are of course too many fine runs from other Senior Harriers to mention individually. However, congratulations also must go to our small but determined junior entrants - Lexie Speirs in the U13 and Stephanie Baird U15.

👍🏻 It was great to be out once again as a club at the races, and the usual comradery and friendly buzz was abundant in the club's gazebo and around the course. The usual thanks to the transport volunteers, the tea and coffee makers, the gazebo erectors and the club supporters. A big thank you also to Falkirk Victoria Harriers, Falkirk Community Trust all other Scottish Athletics officials and volunteers that made it possible.

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