Photo by Bobby Gavin
*NOTE: Report still subject to corrections, additions, more photos and video content. Please bear with us.
By Peter Jardine, Head of Communications
Winter cross country events in Scotland tend to throw up all manner of weather conditions over the years.
Sub-zero temperatures in Glasgow for almost a full week was the backdrop to the Inter-District XC and British Cross Challenge at Alexandra Park.
On the day itself the course was icy but runnable underfoot and there were even a couple of snow flurries for athletes and spectators to contend with.
But as the eight races unfolded the atmosphere generated felt like another victory for the sport.
Jamie Crowe and Lynn McKenna won the Senior races in fine style on a day when the fields included visitors from England, Northern Ireland and even a four-strong contingent from Sweden.
‘I’ve not raced here before and it was a good course with different elements,’ said Jamie, who won from Aidan Thomson and Cam Allan in the UK Cross Challenge podium.
‘There were tight corners, hills and of course it was a bit frosty underfoot with a bit of snow thrown in on the day.
‘I enjoyed it and the Lindsays National XC in Falkirk next month is now very much the target. I think the Senior Men’s race will be really competitive again this year.’
Shettleston Harriers athlete McKenna is also looking forward to Falkirk after winning from Morag Millar and Scout Adkin in terms of the Cross Challenge. Eve MacKinnon was the Inter-District bronze medallist.
‘I went with the leaders initially and then at one stage I felt good and took the decision to push into the lead,’ said Lynn.
‘When you do that, and I always respect everyone I am racing, you know someone can come by you but thankfully today they didn’t!
‘I won a medal in the 3000m indoors last week and won today so I will take that as a great first week for 2025 and look towards the National XC.’
Lynn led the West home to team success in that race. East won the Men’s race. Other team outcomes are available via the Results link (check ‘Scores’).
There were stories aplenty across the full schedule of races . . .
*Scot Thomas Hilton of Moorfoot Runners dominated the U20/U17 Men’s race to win in fine style.
Swede Erik Nederheim was second. ‘Four of us came over so we could experience Scottish cross country. Only our national champs in Sweden has a biggish field and I really enjoyed the competition today and running a great course with a pack initially.’
*North athletes were prominent on the podium with race wins for Billy Sutherland and Andrew Baird at U15 and U17 level. Abbie Stewart took a bronze in the U17 Women’s Inter-District race.
We understand Billy is a recent convert from football – one to look out for at Falkirk. Abbie said: ‘I flew from the Western Isles on Friday and stayed over at a friend’s in Glasgow (Scarlett Wilson of Giffnock). The main group from Stornoway only arrived at 11.30pm on Friday night.’
*Euro Cross Women’s U20 team gold winner Zoe Gilbody enjoyed her visit north. ‘With three laps the hills were quite tough and of course the conditions are very cold indeed. But I am thrilled with my cross country season because I was injured at the end of the track season last year.’
*Paralympic 1500m champion Ben Sandilands raced for the East in the Senior Men’s race and came home in 17th place over the 8k course.
*Sandra Hardacre was once again among our team of Officials on duty to deliver cross country events – and that gave many folk the opportunity to say ‘Congratulations’ after news of her MBE recognition in the Honours List. Brilliant to see.
Podiums across Inter-District and UK Cross Challenge:
U13 Girls
Inter-District: 1 Emma Nicholson (West); 2 Millie Park (East); 3 Isla Madhra (East)
Cross Challenge: 1 Madison Kindler; 2 Ellie Blackhurst; 3 Elizabeth Hutchings
U13 Boys
Inter-District: 1 Tom Ibbs (East(; 2 Alexander Wotherspoon (West); Evan Tyler (West)
Cross Challenge: 1 Ibbs; 2 Wotherspoon; 3 Albert Yates
U15 Girls
Inter-District: 1 Freya Brown (East); 2 Cerys Wright (East); Imogen Turner (East)
Cross Challenge: 1 Madison Welby; 2 Kara Gorman; 3 Freya Brown
U15 Boys
Inter-District and Cross Challenge: 1 Billy Sutherland (North); Luke Sedman (East); 3 Rory MacMillan (East)
U17 Women
Inter-District: 1 Zara Redmond (West); 2 Elsa McGregor (East); Abbie Stewart (North)
Cross Challenge: 1 Isla McGowan ; Redmond; 3 Olivia Forrest
U20 Women
Cross Challenge: 1 Zoe Gilbody: 2 Hannah Kinane; Saoirse McNulty
U17 Men
Inter-District and Cross Challenge: 1 Andrew Baird (North) ; 2 Diabnidh Kinnaird (West); 3 Alasdair MacLean (West)
U20 Men
Cross Challenge: 1 Thomas Hilton; Erik Nederheim; 3 Joe Dixon
Senior Women
Inter-District: 1 Lynn McKenna (West); Morag Millar (East); Eve MacKinnon (West)
Cross Challenge: 1 McKenna; 2 Millar; 3 Scout Adkin
Senior Men
Inter-District: 1 Jamie Crowe (East); Aidan Thompson (East); Scott Stirling (West)
Cross Challenge: 1 Crowe; 2 Thompson; 3 Cameron Allan
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Tags:
Alexandra Park, Inter-District XC, Jamie Crowe, Lynn McKenna
