Central AC and Shettleston Harriers prepare for Euro Club XC in Spain

Thursday 2nd February 2023

The Shettleston Harriers women’s team at the trials in Liverpool and now headed for Spain

Two Scottish clubs – and ten athletes – are headed for international cross country action this weekend in southern Spain.

European Athletics stage their Euro Clubs XC Champs in Oropesa del Mar on Sunday and we’re delighted Shettleston Harriers (women) and Central AC (men) will race.

The Scottish duo qualified as British Athletics representatives via strong team performances at the British Cross Challenge event in Liverpool at the end of November.

It should be an exciting experience for all involved with Central AC having done so previously – including last year – but Shettleston involved for the very first time.

‘Shettleston will be represented by the team of five athletes who qualified in Liverpool,’ said coach John Mackay.

‘Wearing the well-known blue and yellow vests will be Avril Mason, Aoife Carr, Hannah Terrence, Ruth Joss and Emma Baird. All of the athletes work and train in Glasgow.

‘They have already had several team successes this winter and competing at Liverpool at very short notice showed the strength and dedication of these girls. The conditions were very muddy that day and course in Spain is certain to be much different.

‘Clubs cannot compete at this level with the support of various people and both clubs are very grateful to Scottish Athletics who have given their support.

‘Shettleston Harriers would also like to thank Councillor George Redmond, John Mason MSP, Alison Thewliss MP, Sam Alsop Joma, Glasgow Sports Council and the Lord Provost Office, Glasgow City Council for their support.

‘These individuals and organisations have been key to allow the club to compete at this level and the athletes are really looking forward to the trip.’

British Athletics website preview

Jamie Crowe started out with Shettleston and now key member of Central AC’s team for Spain (photo by Bobby Gavin)

The connections between Shettleston and Central are strong, and not just as they both have variations of yellow and blue as their vest colours.

Central’s highly-respected coach Derek Easton was a Shettleston member in the 1970s and 1980s and won a number of team medals.

And double Lindsays National XC champion, Jamie Crowe, also started initially with the Glasgow club and his dad Des Crowe was a key member of the club’s success in the 1990s.

Little-known fact: Shettleston club president Elaine Mackay, who will travel with the women’s team to Spain, was Jamie’s baby sitter when he lived in Glasgow!

Central have listed their five athletes as Jamie, Hamish Hickey, Tom Graham-Marr, Luca Fanottoli and Calum Philip.

Unfortunately, the event is now four to run and three to count, although there is an additional ‘fun run’ type race opportunity.

With thanks to John Mackay and Derek Easton