Giffnock North AC win Lindsays Trophy for 2018-19

Friday 31st May 2019

Ian Beattie and Callum Hawkins present Giffnock North AC with the Lindsays Trophy (all photos by Bobby Gavin)

Lindsays Trophy 2018-19

Giffnock North AC are the new recipients of the Lindsays Trophy after a superb season of cross country participation in Scotland.

The Glasgow club, winners in 2016 and 2017, won the accolade back from holders Garscube Harriers after fielding no fewer than 283 finishers in the three Lindsays National Championship XC events over the winter.

Remarkably, no fewer than 13 clubs this year tallied more than 100 finishers at the Lindsays National XC Relays at Cumbernauld, the Lindsays Short Course at Lanark and the Lindsays National XC at Falkirk. The Lindsays Trophy is awarded each year to the club with the biggest aggregate number at these three events.

And, in a really positive development for the sport, we reached an exact total of 100 clubs across the length and breadth of Scotland fielding at least one finisher in these three events – with the sponsorship support from Lindsays instrumental in growing the ‘reach’ of these National Championship events.

It was a special night for Giffnock North when Scottish Marathon Record holder, and double Senior XC title winner, Callum Hawkins joined scottishathletics Chairman Ian Beattie, who is Chief Operating Officer of Lindsays, at training at Eastwood High School to make the presentation.

Callum Hawkins and Ian Beattie present the Lindsays Trophy to Croy Thomson of Giffnock North

‘I’m delighted to award Giffnock North AC the Lindsays Trophy after another fantastic season,’ said Ian.

‘Athletics in Scotland is going from strength to strength, and we’re also seeing the huge impact the sport is having in local communities across Scotland because of the strength and depth of the clubs, helped by their commitment to increasing participation in cross country.

‘Lindsays values the opportunity to support athletics in Scotland, recognising the sport’s contribution to the physical and mental health of the nation.

‘With mental health becoming an increasingly important issue for businesses and employers, the links between active, healthy communities and a thriving economy and society are becoming ever more relevant.’

Giffnock triumphed by a margin of 35 runners with their 283 tally from Garscube’s 248. Both these clubs had more than 100 finishers at the Lindsays National XC at Falkirk in February. Edinburgh AC took third place with 193 with Cambuslang Harriers (167) and Central AC (163) in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Completing the top ten in the Lindsays Trophy for 2018-19 are Corstorphine AAC, Kilbarchan AAC, Fife AC, Bellahouston Harriers and Aberdeen.

‘We’re absolutely delighted to see our name on the Lindsays Trophy again, ‘ said Giffnock coach, Croy Thomson.

‘Male and female, young and old, fast and not so fast, we take great pride in our efforts over the country, and we’ve always believed in cross country as fundamental to building camaraderie, confidence and success on all surfaces.

‘So winning the Lindsays Trophy is a valued tribute to our endurance runners, as well as recognition for our hard-working coaches, officials and volunteers. The Lindsays Trophy complements the Pat Spence Trophy retained this year for best overall female team performance at Falkirk.

‘Over the years, Giffnock North has strongly targeted the big three national cross country events – the National, the National Relays and the Short Course – and we encourage all our endurance athletes to run thn because cross country is not just brilliant conditioning, it’s also a worthwhile challenge in itself and a different, less pressurised kind of fun.

‘Among multiple team medals over recent years, we’re proud to highlight individuals including Erin Wallace, Luke Traynor and Neil Gourley, who all came up through the ranks, running cross country as youngsters, and putting national titles to their names before earning Scottish and GB honours.

Nikki Manson presents the Pat Spence Trophy to Giffnock coach Allie Chong

‘Nikki Manson, a club stalwart from a young age, ran cross country in her earl years, including the National, in the early years of her stand-out athletics career, before taking up multi-events and high jump, which gained her GB and Commonwealth call-ups. Cross country is such a great base for athletic progress – physically, mentally and socially.

‘Giffnock North AC very much appreciates the support from Lindsays for the Scottish cross country season. They have helped raise the profile of the events and helped broaden the appeal via dynamism, drama and fun.

‘The Lindsays Trophy is an incentive towards competition, of course, but it’s more than that: it’s a focal point, a talking point that makes more people aware of cross country and stimulates interest and participation in one of our finest sporting traditions.’

Road Running and Cross Country Commission website Archive – National XC overall trophies

*Giffnock North also won the Pat Spence Trophy for overall performance in the female divisions (of all age groups) at the Lindsays National XC at Falkirk in February.

Cambuslang Harriers have previously received the AT Mays Trophy for overall performance in the make divisions at Falkirk this year.

Many thanks to Ron Morrison and Alex Jackson for assistance in delivering the Lindsays Trophy final table