Scottish School’s Athletic Association – Primary Schools Cross Country 2012

A number of Calderglen Harrier young athletes were out on Saturday representing their schools at the annual Scottish School’s Athletic Association – Primary Schools Cross Country at the playing fields of Kirkcaldy High School. The weather from during the week meant parts of the course were muddy and had puddles of water but in the main the course was initially good to run on, however with April showers and progress through the 8 races the course transformed into a quagmire of mud.

This is a massive event with Primary Schools from all over Scotland entering teams.  It had the same kind of feel to it as the Scottish Athletic events like Cumbernauld & Falkirk.  With a total of 8 races split for each Primary gender and then split schools A to K and L to Z there was on average about over 120 kids participating in each race so overall 800 plus kids running the event.

First to go was Emma Lawton, representing Kirktonholme Primary, who lined up with 118 runners in the girls Primary 6 A to K race and put in a determined performance in this 1.5K cross country course.  With the first 100 metres flat then progressing another 100 metres uphill, Emma pushed her way to the front of the pack and was lying around 5^th place by the first bend with the front runner from Clifton Hall school leading.  On the first back straight Emma was progressing nicely through the leading pack and by the end of this stage had caught up with the lead runner.  From this point both Emma and the girl from Clifton Hall school were jostling between 1^st and 2^nd place.  This part of the race lead down a short hill and straight up a sharp hill with Emma coming out 2^nd on the top which then moved into another flat declining section of the course to the next bend. At this point Emma emerged victorious and was leading up the final hill digging in with gritted teeth to maintain her lead.  Towards the top of the hill and final bend Emma was slowing but with shout from her supportive Dad “man on” i.e. the other runner is catching, Emma stepped up to top gear and moved away and opened up on the downhill finish.  With a winning time of 6 mins 9 seconds Emma put in an outstanding performance with her second place rival put in a tremendous run with a time of 6:16 and 3^rd place runner from Edinburgh Academy completing the podium positions with 6:24.  The fastest time on the 2^nd Primary 6 Girls race L to Z was 6.24 so Emma deservedly takes the title of Scottish Primary School Cross Country Champion – Primary 6 Girls. 

The other runners on the day were Kate Kane (Kirktonholme, P7) finishing 29^th in a field of 136, Rachel Johnstone (St Hilary’s, P7) finishing  33^rd in a field of 129,  Anna Fegan (St Hilary’s, P7) finishing  82^nd in a field of 129 and new to the Harriers Jessica Hagan (St Kenneth’s, P6) finishing  52^nd in a field of 115.

Absolutely delighted with Emma’s performance and I was equally delighted with all the other girls. It is a tough race and they all completed it so well.

Well done to all for taking part in the races and for representing their schools so well.