Andrew Baird of Ross County AC is joined on the U17 Men’s podium by Callum Hendry and Ray Taylor of Falkirk Victoria Harriers (photo by Bobby Gavin)
*Note this round-up report is subject to scrutiny and corrections, further photos etc. Please be patient (with U15 and U17 races covered in a separate story in due course)
When Scott Stirling won a first GB and NI vest in cross country earlier this year, the natural inclination was to hope there would be an inspirational and motivational effect at Falkirk Victoria Harriers.
The feeling resurfaced yesterday as those clad in that familiar black and yellow vest beat a path to the podium at the Lindsays Short Course XC in the younger age groups.
Scott himself was back in action in the Senior race – he finished fifth – and will have done so knowing Falkirk Vics had already made an impact.
Youngster Luke Sedman gave them a national title in terms of individual medals in the U15 Boys race. Luke did so by the width a vest as he won the nod from Max Deery of Giffnock North in the most exciting finish of the day. Rhuairdh Laing took the bronze medal.
There were team golds for Falkirk there ahead of Giffnock with Edinburgh AC in third.
The first race of the day had seen Lasswade AC vests highly prominent – after their Young Females success at the national XC Relays.
Freya Brown took the win and Cerys Wright was home next as Lasswade went 1-2 on the podium. Harmeny AC’s Rachel Caves was third.
Giffnock won the team golds there with Lasswade taking silvers and bronze medals headed for VP-Glasgow.
In the U17 Men’s race Falkirk were to the fore again. Andrew Baird of Ross County made the long trip south well worthwhile with a superb gold medal and Falkirk savoured second and third via the performances of Callum Hendry and Ray Taylor.
Team golds thus headed for Falkirk with Harmeny in second and Ross Cointy taking a very fine third for the North club. And so to the U17 Women’s race where the story included a new pair of spikes. Those belonged to Zara Redmond after the Kilbarchan AAC athlete unfortunately lost a previous pair at Cumbernauld a couple of weeks ago.
The new footwear investment paid off with Zara peerless for gold with Edinburgh AC’s Jessica Taylor taking silver and Scarlett Wilson of Giffnock the bronze.
Giffnock won the team golds with silvers for Edinburgh AC and bronzes for Harmeny AC.
Well done to all who raced in the U15 and U17 age groups and thanks to the clubs, coaches and parents for your commitment to competition.
Our U17 Women’s medallists with Laura Muir at Kirkcaldy (photo by Bobby Gavin)
