LANARKSHIRE XC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018 report

From the youngest to oldest under 11s to seniors this is truly a championship event that promotes an individual sport as a team event. With every inch all athletes are running to get a good time, good position, where ever they finish counts to the bigger picture of placing your club nearer to being the Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships. Inspirational.  Teamwork is dreamwork!   Calderglen Harriers had 10 young athletes and 2 coaches running aiming to do there best. Winning is giving your Best, not a Position. 

 

Rachel & Anna

This year we had more than double from last year participating in this event which is encouraging.  First up we had the under 11 Girls setting the standard. We were represented by Anna Lindsay and Rachel Biggs who were running there first competitive club race. In the field of 68 runners Anna was first Calderglen Harrier home in 5.56 and Rachel completing in 6.43.

 

Following was the under 11 Boys duo of Ben Buchanan and Steven Cooper.  Steven was returning to this event as a 2nd year under 11 and determined to show his improvement over the last 12 months.  The course has been correctly measured this year giving more accurate and correct 1.2k course.  With 37 runners Steven crossed the line in the same position as last year 13th and his time was 4.55 which was more than last year but the course change explains.  Ben Buchanan packed well with his team mate finishing in 15th in 4.59. Well done Ben & Steven, under 13s for you both next year.

 

The under 13 Girls event moved up the distance to 2.5k and we had a team of 3 running so we could be in with a shout for a team prize in this race. Daisy Blake ran this event last year as an under 11 so this marked her progression to under 13 level. In a field of 49 Daisy found herself starting off at good pace and slowly passing others who ran too fast and finishing with a sprint achieving 10.47 and 20th position.  Next up was Emma Hutton who moved up age groups this year too and finishing in 11.27 and final Harrier to complete the team run was Eve Lindsay in 12.05. 

 

Aidian & Kai

It was the under 13 Boys turn to run the same distance and course.  This year we had new boy Aidian Hamilton and club stalwart Kai Wheeler making a challenge in this competitive age group. Both boys achieved running times of under 10 minutes.  Aidian was first Harrier home in 9.23 and 12th position and Kai ran a great time of 9.59 for a 24th place finish.

 

Last of the junior events for us was the under 15 Boys were we had Max Jones returning as a second year under 15 running the new 3.7k course. Max looked really comfortable and in control on the course and he was rewarded with a 12th position in 14.32.  His time was slower this year but was due to change in course but his position was higher. 

 

Last but not least we had Coach Richard & Frances joining in this year competitively rather than cheer leading on the side lines.  The course was 7.5k over 3 large laps over a mixture of terrain so trail shoes were the call of the day.  It was a really challenging course and certainly my first time doing this event.  Both Frances & I were doing this on the back of Brampton 10 mile from the previous weekend and both found the final lap strength sapping with heavy legs. Frances got the better of me today with a time of 32.24 and I finished in 33.07. Frances's time was only 1.11 minutes behind 3rd Female Master showing how she is running into good form.

The combined Calderglen Harrier Female team was 9th and Male team was 10th out of 13 clubs. Next year more Harriers higher places.  We can do this.

 

Thanks to all athletes and parents for supporting the club and your son or daughter at this event and in their hobby.  This was a great opportunity for all athletes who did this to get a competitive run in before West Districts on Saturday 8th December.