‘Lasswade coaches made sure I enjoyed the journey’ – Christian

Thursday 24th November 2022

Christian Graham in action at the Lindsays National XC Relays at Cumbernauld (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Merseyside mission: Scots head for British Cross Challenge and Euro Trials in Liverpool

Clubs are important.

Just three words but a simple message we are always keen to push through our channels on a weekly basis, every single year.

So it was instructive to chat to cross country runner Christian Graham – ahead of a Scotland U23 vest at the British Cross Challenge in Liverpool this weekend – about his background at Lasswade AC.

The 24 athletes named to represent Scotland for the British Cross Challenge and Euro Cross trial races at Sefton Park on Saturday represent around 20 different clubs when we take in University clubs.

And, while we’ve come to expect strong representation for the likes of Edinbrugh Uni Hare and Hounds, Central AC, Edinburgh AC, Giffnock North and Kilbarchan AAC in these teams, it is interesting to note the background of athletes like Christian (Lasswade AC), Callum Tharme (Gala Harriers), Tendai Nyabadza (Harmeny AC) and Sarah Coutts (Fife AC).

‘I am a from Lasswade myself, a wee town just outside Edinburgh,’ smiled Christian.

‘I was a keen footballer from a little kid and was playing right into my teens. My dad took me down to the Dalkeith track to the club to get fitter for football. It just spiralled from there and I loved my athletics.

‘I enjoyed training, meeting new people and the coaches – Kirk and Linda Smith – were very welcoming and great coaches. They have raised so many athletes to GB and Scotland level that you can see the pathway.

‘It is a good set-up at the club and there is an emphasis on making it fun.

‘Kirk and Linda always make sure they are doing things in training that makes you want to come back and the fun and enjoyment is the most important aspect in the early years.

‘If you have fun then you want to keep coming back and want to progress to U20 and Senior levels. I’ve found that myself. I didn’t feel any pressure as young kid and the enjoyment I had then is still there for me now.’

Christian Graham was a Scottish Trail Champs silver medallist in September with winner Hamish Hickey and bronze medallist James Dunn (photo by Neil Renton)

The ‘now’ for Christian features a silver medal in Glasgow last Saturday at the Scottish Student Sport XC Champs and this weekend’s trip to Liverpool.

‘I did well there last year when I was eighth U23 and they usually take the top five automatically from that race to the Euro Cross,’ he said.

‘I’ve put in a lot of work this winter to try and be ready for this weekend.

‘There have been a couple of 100 mile weeks which is more than I’ve done in the past and I do feel as if I am more prepared.

‘The 4k races start the season off obviously but the 8k at the Scottish Student Sport XC Champs was helpful in moving up the distance – and it is almost 10k in Liverpool. I’d like to think the longer distance will suit me.’

The 21-year-old is excited about the prospects for Scots on Saturday.

‘I’ve spoken to a few of the guys selected for Scotland and we are hopeful,’ he said.

‘I think it looks like strong teams across the age groups and you have guys like Callum Tharme, Jamie Burns and Duncan Robinson all at U23 who I think are all running much better than at this time last year.

‘Then the Senior ones, some of who are still in the U23 bracket, are just as good as they were.

‘Hopefully it bodes well for Scottish endurance running. The more competition there is the better as that makes people work harder and train better.’

Check out our video interview (by Sue Gyford) with Linda Smith at Lasswade earlier this year: