Sunday 1 March 2015

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY - JUNIOR PERSPECTIVE

Last Sunday was Scottish Athletics National Cross Country Championships at Callendar  Park, Falkirk and the 10th year it has been held at this brilliant location, as runners from U13 to Seniors and Veterans in Scotland gathered in their hundreds for eagerly-awaited cross country showdowns.  This year has attracted the biggest entry fields for 21 years with 2213 names put forward.
 
This year the junior Harriers had a contingent of 3 brave athletes to take on the demands of the course.  There was Marc McQuade back from last year in the under 13 Boys race, Hayleigh Muir running for the first time at Falkirk in the under 13 Girls race and Jada Amoah, another 1st timer, in the under 15 Girls race.
 
First up this year was Marc McQuade (u13) competing in a field of 214 taking on the 3.2k course.  Marc is training just now to improve his 5k Pollok Park Parkrun personal best and he is steadily improving.  Marc coped with the demands of the course very well despite being spiked at the start and falling.  He finished in 15:59 ( 5 seconds faster than last  year) in an excellent 158th position overall.
 
Next up was 1st timer Hayleigh Muir (u13) taking on 216 girls in the same 3.2k course.  Hayleigh has taken part in now 3 cross country races this season and this was her biggest challenge to date. To say the least she was not looking forward to this event. Returning to training after a few weeks having cold is not always the best preparation.  She finished in 20:11 in 167th overall.
 
The last junior Harrier of the day running was Jada Amoah.  The under 15 Girls event was a very competitive race which had strong and highly capable young athletes in a field of 149.  With the help of her Cani-Fit training, Jada had good strength to do this gruelling 1 lap, 4k course although it was a racing distance she wasn't familiar with.  However she finished in 20:34 and 110th overall.
 
Well done Marc, Hayleigh and Jada it wasn't easy as I know I did the Senior 12k race so be proud of your achievements at this year's National Cross Country Championships.
 
Richard
 
Link to Senior section National XC report:
 

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