News Report weekending 16th December

The cross country season is now well under way and last weekend Inverclyde played host to the Scottish Athletics West District CC Championship (Saturday 8^th). The event grows in popularity every year and almost 1000 athletes turned out for the challenging course in the Ardgowan Estate. Clydesdale Harriers, whose popularity and profile continues to grow, has a strong tradition of success in country events.  Their athletes braved the weather to enter several teams of juniors, ranging from novices to more experienced athletes. First out on the cold, wet and particularly icy course was the under 13 girls.  Sarah Goggins and Caitlin Stuart were joined by sisters Chloe and Iona Allan for the 3.2 km trail.  The girls ran well and looked strong throughout the course with Iona finishing in the front half of the field (14.34) followed by Sarah (15.01), Caitlin (16.30) and Chloe (16.45).  Afterwards the girls said it was a tough race but they enjoyed the support from around the field. Next out was the under 13 boys. Lewis Priest (11.10), Ronan Ross (13.12), Harry Brothwick (13.55) and Kyle Higgins (15.48) battled it out in a field of other talented athletes and each of them gave very good personal performances.  There was a lot at stake, as this weekend counts as the main selection race for the Inter District event on the 5^th of January which will be held in Edinburgh.  Following a very good run in the Dunbartonshire relay, Priest was in positive mood and gave an exceptional performance finishing 7^th in a field of over seventy competitors, with less than a minute separating the top ten.  He is now waiting expectantly and hopes to be representing the West District in the New Year.  After the excitement of the boys race it was time for the under 15 girls to take to the trail and conditions underfoot were becoming more muddy and slow going by the minute as a light rain began to fall on the already water logged course.  Representing Clydesdale were Emily Paxton (19.58) and Charlotte Ross (22.11).  Both girls showed character and determination by completing the Dunbartonshire AAA Cross Country Championship in Maryhill, in deplorable and arduous conditions, and were looking forward to a quality run which they delivered in their usual positive style.  As race day progressed, conditions underfoot deteriorated but that didn’t stop the under 15 boys from giving it their all despite one of the lads completing the course with only one shoe, the other having been lost to the mud.  Brian Aird (18.04), Lewis Hay (18.08), Darren Dolan (19.09), Phil Allan (19.53), Jacob Siems (20.14) and Luke Smith (22.59) were our competitors.  At the half way mark Brian and Lewis were neck in neck and showed their experience by working together to pull each other along and finish consecutively.  In the under 20 category, Peter Bowman showed character and skill as he fought his way round the 8 Km course looking strong and determined to finish a very convincing 4^th in a time of 28:32. Under 20 female Claire Reid also ran well in the difficult conditions (29.49) over 3 miles. Next off was the Senior Women running approximately 4 miles. Pamela McCrossan put in her usual strong performance but was narrowly outsprinted at the finish though still finished well up the field in 26.23, followed by Marina McCallum (28.17). The Senior Men ran 10k with Paul Carroll finishing well in a time of 41.22, followed by Gerry Montgomery (45.02), Michael Diver (45.26), Kevin Farmer (48.27), Hugh Laverty (49.17), Ryan Nelson (50.27), Paul McKendry (50.37), Gerry Kane (52.51), and Peter Rudzinski (58.46). The same weekend was also the SVHC (Scottish Veteran Harriers Club) Christmas Handicap which took place at Pollock Park. Actual times for the 5.3 miles are shown. There was also a prize for nominated time (predicting your finishing time). Fastest harrier was Gerry Montgomery (33.45 and winner of 1^st for nominated time), followed by Pamela McCrossan (36.21 1^st female and 1^st handicap), Hugh Laverty (36.50), Yvonne Green (39.09), and Watson Jones (41.01 1^st vet over 60).

Marina McCallum
Press Officer