Clubs: put your name on the Falkirk map

Friday 9th February 2018

IT’s almost time! The Lindsays National XC looms up in a fortnight at Falkirk on Saturday 24 February.

And we are closing entries for Callendar Park at 5pm ON MONDAY afternoon so this really is the last chance for clubs to forward names to scottishathletics.

There are nine races from U13 level to Seniors/Masters and once again we’re determined to deliver the best possible event for our members and build on recent success for the Lindsays National XC in partnership with Falkirk Community Trust, sponsors Lindsays, video production team Vinco and others.

Clubs should be posting entries now for that deadline or sending forms by email to events@scottishathletics.org.uk

Entry forms are on our Events section and can be sent to:

Lindsays National XC; c/o Events Team; scottishathletics, Caledonia House, South Gyle, EDINBURGH EH12 9DQ.

Race distances and the timetable have been confirmed for some time and the route map is now available on our Events section page and above.

As you will see, this year there is a return to the section along the Antonine Wall area in the top left of the illustration (close to the flats). Runners will also cross the golf course but do not go around the loch (as did for a number of years prior to a change in 2017).

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

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Mhairi Maclennan racing for GB at the Great Edinburgh XC

Good to see Mhairi Maclennan win the Senior Women’s race at the Northern Cross Country Champs with her English club, Morpeth Harriers.

And we were delighted to read the Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds athlete declare in Athletics Weekly: ‘I will not be running the English National as I prefer to go for the Scottish title at Falkirk.’

It could be a fascinating Senior Women’s race with some of the most recent champions and medallists not expected to compete.

Could that open the door for a new names on the 2018 podium in the Senior Women’s race?

Please note that the team race art Senior Women’s level will be scored on the first four eligible athletes to finish.

Given the continued growth in finishing numbers of the Senior Women’s Race, scottishathletics propose to increase this to five eligible athletes to count from 2019. This is with a view to working towards equalising both Men and Women team medals in the future (six counters).

We are therefore seeking feedback from clubs, coaches, athletes and members on this proposal. To make your thoughts known please email alasdhair.love@scottishathletics.org.uk

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We always need 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.

We can’t emphasise strongly enough how it is this ‘work-force’ of volunteers – with sterling support from Falkirk Victoria Harriers – who enable us to stage the Lindsays National XC in partnership with our hosts, the Falkirk Community Trust.

So, clubs currently drawing up entries are asked to provide two marshals each to assist on the course. Names and contact details for these marshals should be emailed no later than Monday 12 February to Alex Jackson on

ajackson@staffmail.ed.ac.uk