Winter’s tale: District XC action warms hearts for hundreds of runners

Sunday 3rd December 2023

Duncan Robinson on his way to Senior Men’s gold at the West (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Please note this is a summary report for three events and not intended to be comprehensive. We are still awaiting some details and photos. All the team race outcomes are within the Results.

West Results

Duncan Robinson’s two-in-a-row bid at the Lindsays West District XC almost hit the skids a couple of hours before he raced at Strathaven.

Heavy snow on Glasgow’s south side left Giffnock North’s GB international struggling to get his car out of the driveway for the short trip to the event.

But Robinson made it and duly pulled away from all the opposition in Strathaven as host club East Kilbride AC and our volunteers once again delivered superbly for hundreds of athletes.

‘There were two or three inches of snow and it took me half and hour to get the car clear to come here,’ smiled Duncan.

‘I was even concerned the event might be off but the road conditions in Strathaven and the course fine so I’m delighted in went ahead.

‘I enjoyed the race and felt a lot better the week after Liverpool than I did last year. It was a struggle 12 months ago but it is good to win two in a row.’

Duncan won from Shettleston’s Seyd Taha Ghafari, who will represent the Refugee Team at the Euro Cross next weekend in Brussels, and Gavin Smith of Cambuslang.

In the men’s team race, the golds went to Cambuslang with Shettleston second and Glasgow Uni in third.

Photos by Bobby Gavin on Facebook

Cambuslang were top of the Senior Women’s individual podium as Eve MacKinnon came up with one of the best runs of her career to win by a big margin from Nynke Mulholland and Kat Macdonald.

‘I kind of expected someone to come with me on that first lap but I managed to get away and I’m delighted with the win,’ said Eve.

‘It’s my first Senior win in cross country so it is a good feeling. I’m looking forward to the rest of the cross country season and will try and improve my 3K road time in Armagh early in 2024, too.’

The Women’s team podium saw a win for Shettleston with silvers for Cambuslang and bronzes for Glasgow Uni.

Connor Bell of Glasgow Uni and Emma McLennan of Giffnock took the U20 gold medals.

Other West title winners were as follows:

U17 Men – James Alexander (Garscube); U17 Women – Zara Redmond (Kilbarchan); U15 Boys – Alistair Street (Kilbarchan); U15 Girls – Freya Scobie (Giffnock); U13 Boys – Sam Deery (Giffnock); U13 Girls – Lucy Tonner (Giffnock)

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The Men’s and Women’s podiums at Aberdeen (photos by Neil Renton)

East Results

The Lindsays East District XC at Aberdeen delivered a men’s race with real quality contesting the podium.

Olympian Andy Butchart had to settle for silver behind his Central AC team-mate, Jamie Crowe, with Jamie’s winning margin 28 seconds. GB and Welsh international Kristian Jones completed a high calibre top three.

It’s great for the sport that three athletes with vast international experience took on the cold conditions at Balgownie.

Central duly took the team golds from one of our host clubs, Aberdeen AAC, as Corstorphine landed bronzes.

Edinburgh AC’s Kirsty Walker took silver at the Lindsays Short Course XC at Lanark and was our East gold medallist in the Senior women’s race at Balgownie.

Lauren Dickson of Lasswade AAC was second and Claire Bruce, from the other host club Metro Aberdeen, was third.

Aberdeen AAC celebrated team gold in this race with Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds taking silvers and Corstorphine again as the bronze medallists.

The U20 titles were claimed by Isla Paterson of Gala and Lucas Cairns of Edinburgh Uni.

Other East title winners were as follows:

U17 Men – Andrew McWilliam (Lasswade); U17 women – Jessica Taylor (edinburgh AC); U15 Boys – Ray Taylor (Falkirk Victoria); U15 Girls – Cerys Wright (Lasswade); U13 Boys – Harry Cook (Aberdeen); U13 Girls – Imogen Turner (Team East lothian)

Photo by Neil Renton

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North District Xc U15 Boys podium (photo via Paul Rogan)

North Results

With almost 350 names on the start-lists, the growth and depth of North athletics was evident at Gordonstoun in Elgin.

And the spread of clubs involved among the individual and team medals bodes well, too.

GB international hill runners Ross Gollan and Catriona Graves were probably the favourites for the Senior races on paper and so it proved over an 8k course.

Ross won gold representing East Sutherland from James Wilson of Moray Road Runners and Lewis McAlpine of Stornoway.

Catriona won gold representing Highland Hill Runners from her club-mate, Georgia Tindley, with bronze for Gemma Cormack of Moray Road Runners.

The men’s team golds went to East Sutherland with the podium also featuring Moray Road Runners for the silvers and Inverness Harriers.

Highland Hill Runners took the Senior Women’s team golds from Moray Road Runners and inverness.

The U20 races were incorporated to the Senior races and saw golds for Bruce Evans of Forres and Rachel Murray of Stornoway.

At U17 level, there was a Ross Country AC double thanks to the efforts of Andrew Baird and Caitlyn Heggie.

Other North title winners were:

U15 Boys – Israel Noble (Fraserburgh); U15 Girls – Anna Meek (Inverness); U13 Boys – Aaron Tresidder (Lochaber); U13 Girls – Naimh Doorley (Inverness).

A huge thanks to all the volunteers who helped out today, especially MRR, the @scotathletics officials and the North XC commission. There wouldn't be a race without them!

— Ross Gollan (@GollanRoss) December 2, 2023