Saturday the 30th of September saw local club Harmeny Athletic coming together with Corstorphine AAC for the fourth year to host a Cross Country race for kids from both clubs in a friendly environment in preparation for the upcoming Cross Country season. Run at Curriemuirend Park, at Baberton, the route measured between a mile (for the under-11’s) and a mile and a half for the older athletes. It was a good mixture of pathway and grass, giving the younger competitors a taste of what to expect at bigger events. Conditions were good and the weather favourable, which brought a record turnout of ninety competitors from the two clubs. The races saw some excellent competition despite it being billed as a ‘friendly’, but coaches and parents worked hard to keep the enjoyment level high across the board.
There were a few stand-out performances, in particular India Cosgrove who had to run in an older age category because she missed her own race being unable to find the park – and still came in 5th! And Charlotte McPhie who was pipped at the post after leading for the whole race – roll on next year! The burgeoning growth of the event is testament to the efforts of Dave Arnott (Corstorphine) and Craig Stewart (Harmeny), who were instrumental in its inception and continue to drive the event, and the record turnout led to large entry fields across the age range. The races were fiercely contested, but at the end of the day, Corstorphine narrrowly regained the trophy that Harmeny had managed to draw with them for the previous year.
Our local councillor Susan Webber was on hand to present prizes with the two club representatives and a huge thank is due to the small army of parent and friend helpers who marshalled, supported and organised the day and the athletes. Big thanks to Juniper Green Community Council and Friends of Curriemuirend Park for sponsoring the medals and trophies for the kids. Results
Meanwhile Harmeny’s continued success and growth has been recognised by Scottish Athletics, as the club has been shortlisted for the prize for, ‘impact club of the year’, with Craig Stewart (above) also being shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year. The coaching staff are expanding to grow the number of young athletes we can take on, and details of membership and our activities for both the younger athletes’ club and Harmeny Pentland Runners (for adults) can be found on the club website.
