Steph to race Lindsays National XC for first time

Tuesday 29th January 2019

Olympian Steph Twell is set to race the Lindsays National XC at Falkirk next month.

It will be the first time Twell has ever competed at Callendar Park, with the event on Saturday 23 February sure to be a huge attraction to our club community.

After a recent successful switch to the marathon, the presence of the Commonwealth and European track medallist immediately raises the standard of a Senior Women’s race where the depth continues to grow year-on-year.

And Steph will certainly have her sights set on completing a remarkable National XC Championship double – nine years ago she won the Senior Women’s gold at the English National XC at Leeds in 2010.

‘I am really pleased to be racing at my first Scottish National XC in Falkirk – it’s about time!,’ said the 29-year-old.

‘While previously I have represented my club at the English National, moving full-time as an athlete has now given me the opportunity to make the most competing in the races I haven’t done before.

‘I think the cross country conditions, as well as the distance, will be a suitable test to see how I fit I am at that stage before I return to the roads.

‘The Lindsays XC was a race I wish I was part of in the past couple of years, seeing fellow competitors and GB team-mates like Mhairi Maclennan and Beth Potter in the mix and vying for the title and the podium

‘So I’m excited to see how I fare on the course this year. It’s 10K, which I am pleased to see is the same as the men’s, and hopefully there’s a really big entry once again for all the races at Falkirk.’

Twell will prepare for Callendar Park with a Scotland appearance on the roads, as part of our team for the Armagh International Road Races where she will race over 3K.

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With the anticipation building now for Callendar Park, clubs are reminded we need entries in by Thursday 7 February.

Entry forms are available by email to events@scottishathletics.org.uk

*In a change for 2019, the Senior Women’s race will be five to count in the team race.

This reflects our moves towards equality (it is six to score in the Senior Men’s race) and also the growth of the Senior Women’s race in terms of overall numbers (with more than 260 finishers for each of the past three years).

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It is also vital we have the support of clubs to make sure the Lindsays National XC happens.

And that means we once again have to appeal for race marshals to be stationed at various points around the course on Saturday 23 February.

We need around 50 folk in total to do this and two shifts are available (10.30am to 1pm and then from 1pm to 3.30pm). Nobody is asked to stand around for the whole day.

Alex Jackson co-ordinates the marshals for us and we need offers of help by February 11.

Please email ajackson@staffmail.ed.ac.uk

Please do help out if you can . . .