The snow covered course at Broxburn made for some new challenges for the final East District League match of the year. However, a great turnout from the juniors (24 kids across 4 races) warmed the team management and everyone who ran rose to the challenge that the conditions presented.
Highlight of the day was the U13 boys who, for the second year running (although they were U11 last year) overcame a deficit going into the last match to win the league title, by quite a large margin in the end. 12 kids have represented this team over the course of the season and, despite missing key individuals due to illness and injury at various times, have shown real strength in depth. Callouts this week to Finaly Ross (1st), Alastair Wallace (10th) and Nathan Denis (24th). Alastair became the 6th different Harmeny runner to register a top 10 finish in this season’s league, which is quite a remarkable achievement and an indication of the club’s direction of travel.
A strong turnout in the U11 girls saw them consolidate a 6th place finish for the season, narrowly eclipsing the boys’ 7th Place. And the best turnout from the U13 girls all season, and some strong runs, saw them surge into a Top 10 finishing place. Well done to all the athletes over the whole season and many thanks to parents for their continued support of these events.
A disappointing turnout from the adults saw both masters teams promising league positions suffer through lack of numbers, despite a great run from Lorna Broadhurst in the ladies race and some good finishes from an exclusively dads-of-juniors men’s team. Despite this, the ladies still managed a fantastic 5th placed finish and the men 10th.
Many thanks to Andy Ross for expertly guiding the teams through the season and drumming up plenty of enthusiasm, and to Susan Ross for organising the kids at each race. And finally to Mike and Graeme for becoming virtual Club Photographers for the season.
One final Cross Country of the year to come…. At the National Championships at Falkirk on 24th February where we will be fielding an Under 13 team for the first time. Let Andy know if you’d like to take part – this is truly an ‘Event’ with a capital ‘E’, with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a National Championship. Hope to see plenty of you there.
