A late report but none the less an important one as it was the Scottish National Cross Country Championships on Saturday 23rd February in Callendar Park, Falkirk. We were greeted with great weather and conditions on foot for running a challenging course.
We had a small team out for this year’s race but a team that is big on motivation to run and do their best for Calderglen Harriers and importantly there own belief in their ability, so well done to the Under 13 team of athletes Megan Anderson, Helen Anderson, Louise Brown and Claire MacMillan and solo Under 15 Boy Drew Gordon for representing the club.
First off were the under 13 Girls quartet of Helen, Megan, Louise and Claire amongst the field of 127 runners doing 1 lap of 3.2k. First Harriers in were twin sisters Helen & Megan. Megan was leading for most of the course but sister Helen put in a strong challenge towards the end with powered turbo finish. I think Megan still just edged Helen however they were awarded equal times of 17:59. This was 25 second pb for Megan and a massive 1:34 minute pb for Helen. Returning from injury, Louise ran a steady race and completed the course in 18:53 which was 14 seconds down on last year. Claire MacMillan made her debut at this event and although seemed overwhelmed on the day she completed the course in 20:02.
Our only Under 15 boy running 4k course was Drew Gordon in his first year in this age category. This was a big step for Drew as you need be very much strong and fast to compete in this age group over such an unforgiving course. However Drew displayed his commitment and determination throughout the course with debut time of 20:24.
A big thank you goes to the best tent team erectors i.e. the Mums & Dads for putting up the tent this year while I looked in supervising type way! If there was a medal or a trophy for this event I know who would win!
Any of the other young athletes that are interested in competing in these type of events please feel free to ask any of the coaches (Frances, Richard or John) how to get involved. I would love to enter a big squad of Calderglen Harriers in the junior races as we are just as capable as any other club in Scotland to do well and win medals.
If you got the Olympic bug in 2012 then you too can train hard, listen to your coach and compete to get your rewards. Remember the next big junior event that could come to Glasgow is the 2018 Youth Olympics.......wouldn’t it be great to qualify for team GB & NI and run in your home city with a home crowd cheering you on!
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