#LindsaysXC – Countdown to Falkirk is on . . .

Friday 19th January 2018

Action from the Lindsays National XC in 2017 – photo by Bobby Gavin

Falkirk will once again be the place to be next month when the eagerly-awaited Lindsays National XC heads back to the regular recent venue of Callendar Park.

Saturday 24 February is the red letter day for training plans and clubs in what is always one of our most significant events of the year.

Entry forms are available for clubs online and team managers, coaches and parents should already be making plans to submit entries ahead of the deadline on Monday 12 February.

Cross country participation numbers have been rising year-on-year since prior to Glasgow 2014 and we’d love to once again see strong support for the Lindsays National XC.

Forms should be posted to the address below or emailed to events@scottishathletics.org.uk

Lindsays National XC

c/o Events Teams,

scottishathletics,

Caledonia House,

South Gyle,

EDINBURGH EH12 9DQ.

(The closing date for entries is Monday 12 February)

As our preparations for Falkirk continue apace, we’re pleased to update members on a couple of issues around the Lindsays National XC.

Firstly, distances are now confirmed for all age groups and that will see no difference in the male and female races. The Lindsays National XC went to 10k for both Senior Men and Senior Women last year and now the same distances apply across all the age groups.

It means a slightly longer race for U20 Women, for example, but is in line with equality considerations and is seen as helpful in ‘bridging the gap’ in terms of preparation for 10k at Senior Women. The U17 Men and Women both run 6k.

Here is the proposed timetable (with declarations closing half an hour prior to each race):

11.00: U13 Boys: 3.1k
11.16: U13 Girls: 3.1k
11.32: U15 Girls: 4.1k
11.53: U15 Boys: 4.1k
12.15: U20 Women 7.5k and U17 Women 6.k
12.50: U17 Men: 6k
13.25: Senior Women: 10k
14.25: U20 Men: 7.5k
14.55: Senior Men: 10k

Entry forms and more information on our Events section

At this stage of the preparations, we are always looking for help from volunteers on the day on Saturday 24 February to help marshal the course.

Alex Jackson from the Road Running and Cross Country Commission co-ordinates this for scottishathletics each year and we are hugely indebted to those club representatives who give up their time in order to help others enjoy racing at Callendar Park.

Clubs entering athletes are asked to provide two marshals each to assist on the course. Names and contact details for the marshals should be emailed no later than Monday 12 February to

ajackson@staffmail.ed.ac.uk

Often, it is the same clubs and the same people who help out at Falkirk. We would respectfully request that some others step up to the mark for 2018 and offer their services – perhaps if you are injured and unable to run you can play an important role in the Lindsays National XC?