WATCH: Highlights of Scotland’s ‘Local Heroes’ at Run Stirling

Monday 13th January 2020

Chief executive Mark Munro hailed the athletics community in Scotland – after our runners dominated two international XC competitions despite appalling conditions underfoot and overhead at Run Stirling.

The Senior Men and U20 Women won their particular ‘Battles of Stirling’ in the Home Countries XC International cross the stamina-sapping mud and sodden turf of Kings Park.

There were a clutch on individual medals there and, in the Celtic XC International, Scotland delivered a raft of impressive performances to beat a regular path to the podium there, too.

In fact, overall, Scotland landed no fewer than seven sets of team gold medals out of 10 available at the inaugural event which featured more than 1100 entrants for cross country and a further 1700 in the Great Castle Run.

Our partners at Vinco covered the event in a live stream with the two Senior races shown live on the BBC Sport website across the UK.

Watch all the action with links to each race on Vinco’s runjumpthrow.com website

‘It was a great day of cross country despite conditions that were challenging to say the least – both for athletes and indeed for organisers,’ said Mark Munro, chief executive of scottishathletics.

‘I want to say a huge well done to all who raced and their coaches, clubs and support teams. We also thank our various partners and host club Central AC for a huge effort.

‘When you see football matches being postponed across Scotland, and including one on an astroturf pitch, then it speaks volumes of all involved at Run Stirling that the event was such a success.’

Convenor of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Chris Kane, said: ‘This superb sporting spectacle was a wonderful way for Stirling to start 2020 and another success story for the city.

‘There was a brilliant buzz around the course as athletes of all ages and abilities took on these exciting running challenges around some of Stirling’s historic landmarks.

‘Not only did we successfully stage another high-profile event with elite athletes from across the UK, we ensured that residents and visitors had the opportunity to get active through taking part in the Great Stirling Castle Run as part of our drive to improve health and well-being.

‘By watching home grown Olympic running stars such as Andrew Butchart at close quarters, I am sure people will be inspired to get involved in sport and continue to lead healthy lives.

‘Congratulations to all the participants and they should be very proud of what they achieved in some very challenging conditions.’