Giffnock North AAC Schools Cross Country Races 2011




start line between tree and flag pole



As the cross country season continues a number of Calderglen Harrier young athletes were out on Sunday representing their schools at the annual Giffnock North AAC Schools Cross Country Races in Rouken Glen Park. The heavy rain and high winds from the day & night before left a quagmire of mud around the course and the start/finish area progressively got worse after each age group race.

The youngest athlete of the day was Emma Lawton, representing Kirktonholme Primary, who lined up with 81 runners in the girls Primary 6 race and put in commanding performance in this 1K cross country course seemingly gliding over the mud.  Emma established herself in first place as soon as the race started and maintained a good strong progressive lead to her closet rival around the whole course to win in a time of 4.57.  Second place runner’s time was 5.36 and third place recorded 5.37.

Next up was the Primary 7 Girls and Boys with Kate Kane representing Kirktonholme Primary.  After running Lanarkshire XC recovering from a cold and now clearly over her cold, Kate showed her true competiveness and came out fighting today finishing  19^th in a field of 67 with a time of 6:03.

Mark McKenzie was representing his school Mossneuk in the Primary 7 boys’ race. This was a race Mark wasn’t looking forward to after feeling disappointed with his performance last year he was unsure how he would go...no need to worry after a year training with the Harriers.  Mark quickly established himself in the leading pack and maintained his performance around the course with a final push at the end winning the race in a time of 4:49.

Newcomer to the Harriers, Jay Lawrie was also representing Mossneuk in the boys Primary 7 race and produced a time of 5:35, placing him 25^th in a field of 55.

Emma with gold medal

Last but not least another newcomer to the Harriers, Megan Anderson was representing Duncanrig High School in the S1/2 Girls race.  This is Megan’s first year with the Harriers and is showing great enthusiasm and mental toughness doing the cross country races which will help to develop her running showing dividends in the better weather next year.  Again another top 20 performer, Megan completed the course in (5.55) finishing 17^th out of 41 runners. There is more to come from Megan in the West District XC Championships in Irvine.

Well done to all for taking part in the races and especially to Emma & Mark for first class performances in their age group races.  A great XC day for all the athletes in the mud!