East District Cross Country – League Race 1
Stirling, Saturday 20th October 2012
The ancient royal burgh of Stirling was the venue for the first east district league race of the season. Stirling was granted its royal charter in 1130 and became Scotland’s newest and smallest city in the Queens Golden Jubilee year in 2002. The event was held within sight of historic Airthrey Castle where two standing stones mark the spot where King Kenneth defeated the Picts to unite Scotland in 839AD. The historic estate is now part of the University of Stirling which was opened in 1967. The East District Cross Country League was formed in 1924 and has been running ever since. In recent times the club has had some success. The senior men won the event in 86/87, 87/88 & 92/93. The U13 boys won it in 82/83, U15 boys in 93/94 & 94/95 and the U17 boys in 03/04. The U11 girls won the event in 03/04.
Over 650 runners took part in the races on a glorious autumn day. Underfoot conditions were extremely heavy going to say the least. Harriers had 16 runners taking part which included 9 juniors.The event was hosted by Central AC for the third successive year.
Under 11 Races
First race of the day was the under 11 race with two Harriers involved on the 1600m course. Girls and boys run together in the younger age categories and Fraser Clyne and Lucy Graham lined up together at the start. Both runners gave an excellent account of themselves with Lucy Graham finishing in 27th place in the girls race in a time of 7:26. Fraser Clyne finished in 7th place in a time of 5:46, an outstanding result finishing in the top ten.
Under 13 races
The second race of the day was over 2,800m and it saw Teviotdale Harrier’s largest presence for a number of years with six runners involved, 3 boys and 3 girls which meant we had complete teams in both events. For the boys Jamie Waugh was first home in 29th position in a time of 12:13. Second home, wearing only one shoe, (the other having come off in a particularly muddy stretch of the course) was Joseph Tottman in 41st position in a time of 13:00 followed by David Mercer in 42nd position in a time of 13:10. The shoe was later retrieved and returned to it’s rightful owner.
For the girls Ishbel Inglis was first home in 19th position in a time of 12:30. Second home was Phoebe Donaldson in 40th position in a time of 13:26 followed by Emma Grieve in 48th position in a time of 14:39. The final team results are decided after all three league races so hopefully we can carry on the success of this event into the next races.
Sen/Jun/Masters Women & U17 Men
Third race of the day saw Sylvia Grieve and Donna Inglis taking on the 6000m course. First home out of the Teviotdale duo was Sylvia Grieve who finished in 93rd place in a time of 36:10. Next home was Donna Inglis in 94th position in a time of 36:57.
U15 Boys & Girls and U17 Women
The penultimate race of the day was run over 3200m. Catherine Mercer was representing the club in the U17 Womens race and finished in 32nd place in a time of 14:32.
Senior/Jun/Masters Men
The final race of the day took place over 9,000m and had five Harriers taking part. First home for the club was Derek Scott in 74th position in a time of 35:58. Craig Grieve was in 98th place in a time of 37:00 followed by Alan Inglis in 121st place in a time of 38:26. Bill Knox was 219th in a time of 49:10, as if the course wasn’t hard enough with all the mud, Bill gave himself an extra challenge by starting slightly later than the others but soon got going. Alister Biggar sustained an injury to his leg during the race and we hope that he makes a speedy recovery.
Well done to everyone who took part, great to see so many Harriers vests.
Photographs to follow.