A full mini bus of Teviotdale Harriers headed north on Saturday past to Falkirk to compete in the National Cross Country Championships. The weather was sunny, bright and cold, a total contrast to the previous year when it was so windy team tents were flying across the course. Talking of the course, there was another change to previous years’ routes with the section along the Antonine Wall having been removed and a rather zig-zag route to the finishing straight in its place. As last year the route went through the ‘tented village’ so watching from the tent was an option for the more relaxed spectator or exhausted competitor.

First to run were u13 boys of which we had 3 on the medium lap course covering 3,200m. Finishing in 85th position in a time of 14.36 was Jai Patterson, 2nd in 119th position was Thomas MacAskill in 15.21 and 3rd in 149th position Harrison Hughes in 17.07.

Next race for juniors was u15 girls with Carly Blaikie competing for harriers on the 4,000m large lap route. Carly finished 99th position in 21.48.

Fraser Clyne was next in the u15 boys event, again a large lap at 4,000m distance. He finished 65th in a time of 16.28.

Last junior to run was Ishbel Inglis in the u17/u20 womens’ race covering both a small and large lap at 4,800m. She finished 56th in 25.11.

Last race of the day for the club was the senior mens’ event. A gruelling 3 lap 12,000m course with plenty of hills to test the legs. Our first finisher was Greg Walker in 46.28, 82nd position, next in 90th position was Rory Anderson in 46.45, 186th Bruce Hughes in 49.28, 327th Andy Goodair in 53.33, 372nd Alan Inglis in 54.42, 435th Derek Scott in 56.37, 542nd Alex Corbett in 1.01.09, 602nd Alan Coltman in 1.05.59 and 622nd Paul Lockie in 1.10.50

This was a tough course for all especially our juniors, competing alongside the elite and much larger teams, but a great experience as well, and a chance to see some of the top names in cross country running up close. Well done to all.

Photographs by Alex Corbett HERE