National Cross Country Relays

24th October 2009

Full Results | Senior men's results compiled into one list
Photos: Senior ladies | Senior men

My first national relays at Cumbernauld since 2005, and I was pleased to run 23 seconds faster than last time, finishing the 1st leg of the 4km course in 14:52 for 37th position.

I set out pretty steadily during the initial cavalry charge and first climb, then pretty much spent the rest of the stage catching and passing folk, so quite satisfying in that respect.

I managed to nip past Alastair McLeod (Bellahouston) and Jed Bartlett (Stirling Uni) in the finishing straight, and just failed to catch Raymond Jaffray (Teviotdale) on the line.

I handed over to John Denovan who had a solid enough run. We had then had Steffen on the 3rd leg who just held off Garscube's David Dickson and Shettleston's Marc McColl, then David Riach on the anchor leg managed to catch around 5 runners, including one of the many Bellahouston teams.

We also had Johnston and Dave Calder running in a men's B-Team, and in the ladies competition Pauline, Pat and Cat made up a team, whilst Ellie ran a solo leg with a funny felt pen race number!

Shettleston's Eritrean team won the men's race by 1 minute 19 seconds, with Tsegai Tewelde clocking the fastest time of 12:43. Second place went to Central AC after an exciting sprint finish where Alastair Hay overhauled Paul Leck of Kilbarchan in the final few metres.

Central AC took the ladies' title after Morag MacLarty established a healthy lead on leg 1 with the fastest ladies time of 14:47.

Broadwood Loch 5k

13th August 2009

Results

A much bigger field than last time I did this race 2 years ago, and finished 2nd in 16:53.

I knew I wasn't on for sub 17 minutes this time, and had far more competition at the front. The 2 young guys from Glasgow Uni, Michael Deason and Daniel Bradford, set the pace with Ross McLennan in pursuit. I held 4th place for almost the first kilometre before Ian Stewart (Carnegie) and Adam Peters (Kirkintilloch) both went past.

Just before and after 2km there were 2 critical junctions, neither of which were flagged or marshalled properly. I stopped altogether at the first one wondering where to go as the other runners had disappeared, and at the 2nd junction discovered the lead runners returning having turned right instead of left. I was therefore amused to find myself briefly back in the lead!

I found it slightly confusing knowing how to pace it, being plonked back in the lead, so I backed off and allowed the leaders to take over, but they realised I'd also let Anthony Devlin of Falkirk overtake so I had to suddenly speed up again.

I was feeling fairly worn out and uncompetitive by 2.5km and this allowed Rob Soutar of Shettleston to sneak past. Then at 3km Paul Thompson pulled alongside and we ran elbow to elbow until the wooden bridge at about 3.8km. I tried to dredge up some resolve, but couldn't raise my game and Paul pulled away.

I pressed on across the dam and tried to close down Paul and Robert in the final 200 metres, but I was chasing shadows and came in 3 seconds after Robert in a time of 17:13 for 8th place.

Broadwood Loch 5k

16th August 2007
Results

A brand new race around Broadwood Loch at Cumbernauld.

The race was won by Allan Ramsay of Kirkintilloch in 16:42. I finished 2nd in 16:53.

Scottish National XC Relays

22nd October 2005, Cumbernauld Park
Men: 4 x 4000m, Ladies: 3 x 4000m, 240ft of ascent
Results  |  Imac Images (men)  |  Imac Images (ladies)
Edinburgh Southern won the ladies' race - Hayley Ovens 15:13, Marbeth Shiell 15:42, Susan Ridley 16:09
Central AC won the men's race - Alastair Hay 13:15, Ross Houston 13:58, Alasdair Anthony 13:28, Robert Russell (reigning Scottish double XC champion) 12:52
Westies managed to field 2 teams, finishing 58th and 88th out of 90:
A) Chris Upson 15:14, Swaz Fraser 17:02, Gibson Fleming 16:53, Roderick Fleming 16:55
B) Blair Millen 18:15, Jason 19:14, Drew Turnbull 21:37, Ian Struthers 21:06