Inter District Cross County Championships

Four young SRAC athletes travelled to the Inter District Cross County Championships at Edinburgh’s Hollyrood Park to run for the North of Scotland team last weekend. Thirteen SRAC runners had been selected following a successful North Championships, but for a number of reasons, not least the weather only four eventually made the trip.

Tirunesh Dibaba leads, Steff Twell Scotland 4th

The District championships gives the island’s young athletes exposure to a whole new level of competition as only the top performers from, North, West and East districts take part. Further to the experience of competing against the best from the huge population centres of the East and West districts, the event also combined the Great Edinburgh cross country International. The international races included Kenenisa Bekele winner of 22 World/Olympic gold medals and Tirunesh Dibaba Olympic 5000 and 10000 meter champion.

Number 1 – Bekele .... but not today!

The strength of the opposition appeared to have no fear factor for young SRAC runner Connor MacLean though as he set off to test the pace of the field as he took to the front of the race from the gun! However as the race developed the strength of the East and West teams showed as they matched the early pace and ran clear of most of the North team! But it is the exposure to the bigger and stronger contests that will help set the future targets for the clubs young runners. While Connors early and enthusiastic pace could not be sustained his determination kept him running and he hung onto club mate Jamie Sullivan. Jamie came through the race very well and he managed the underfoot snow conditions well too, in fact in the run in to the finish he was just edged into fourth finishing place in the North team in a time of 12.00 minutes for the 3K course. Connor was next North runner (fifth, ensuring a team bronze medal) a further 19 seconds behind Jamie. Jamie and Connor will hopefully be joined by Kenneth MacSween and Michael MacMillan in the Stornoway team for next month’s Scottish Championships in Falkirk on February 20^th!

Connor sets the early pace!

In the girls under 15 race Rebecca Munro also managed a top six place for the North team, finishing fourth and therefore bagging a team bronze medal. Rebecca got badly placed at the start but worked her way past some North athletes to ensure a team place. Meanwhile Robert Jones placed the highest of the North team rankings as he was second North counter in the North team, behind Ullapool’s Calum MacLeod who had a solid run. However without a sixth runner in this category the North failed to place in the team event.

Rebecca working cross the snow – Arthur’s Seat in background

The long journey through the snow and ice was however a very worth while experience for the club’s young runners that served to emphasise what effort is required in training to further improve performances. SRAC’s young quartet representing the North all now seem keen to up the efforts as they look toward the National Championships. It will be a different venue and terrain, certainly different conditions and the target will be for improved performances too. Well done to the four in wanting to make the trip which also included getting to see the best runners in the world at close quarter and in Rebecca’s case meeting Olympic 1500 meter medallist Lisa Dobriskey!

 

Small SRAC Squad 2010	Becca and Lisa Dobriskey

Please note the scheduled second race in the Alex Murray Construction Cross Country race this Saturday (16^th) will be rescheduled for the following Saturday 23^rd January. Training will however take place this Saturday, please meet at the toilet block at the Braighe car park for a 10.30 start. Thanks to the Lewis and Harris Sports Council for their support to the club athletes attending the Inter District event.

A Tupper’s wee pals!

See http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/index.php?p=80&itemType=fixtures&itemId=11616P for full results

Ps – Jonny is still stunned that Bekele got beat!