Stornoway Running and Athletics Club
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Woody's Express Parcels sponsors of Western Isles XC Championships Saturday 6th March 2010 |
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Click here to see more of Jim's Photographs Seilibost was the venue for the 2010 Woody’s Express Western Isles Cross Country Championships and runners from either side of the sound of Harris made the trip to the Harris machair event. Race distances varied from 800meters for the under 9 runners up to 8K (5miles) for the senior men. The course route took in the hill section behind the school and the faster open running towards the sea and included a small section of the world famous pure white Harris sands. But, from a runners point of view the sand was much easier on the eye than the legs as each stride of the 200meters of sand zapped the runners’ leg strength in mid race! Before the first race got under way and even before the course was even fully marked out the Uist contingent of runners, coaches, parents’ and friends had all ready arrived! So not only time to view the route, the young Uibhisteach’s even helped mark out the course! The first race started slightly behind schedule, but there was nothing off the pace about Alasdair Dunlop’s front running as he left challengers Jonny Pritchard, Ross Munro and the rest behind! As the first of three and a half laps were completed only Jonny was able to make an effort to chase Dunlop. But the machair is a favourite surface for the Ness runner and his miles of familiarity plus excellent base speed meant that the race finished as it had started; Dunlop winning well from Pritchard and Munro. Throughout the age groups there were some excellent races from young athletes who hopefully will become the basis for future Western Isles successes. The fact that runners from Daliburgh, Harris, Lewis and North Uist often fought out the top four places in the different age category races, points to that sound base! Among the closest fought races were the boys under 9’s over 800meters and the boys under 11 races over 1 mile. Only two seconds separated Lewis and Harris Champion Daniel Duffy and North Uist’s Paul Morrison. Daniel had led for most of the race but with only 80 meters to the finish line it looked like Paul was still in with a chance to win. However Daniel who seemed to have the race in control as he looked over his shoulder and did enough to cross the line a couple of “tic tocs” ahead! The under 9’s contest was so close that both John Bain, Back and Finley MacVicar North Uist were given the same time. The crowd were in full voice in appreciation of this entertaining run and on the line Uists MacVicar was given the decision and became the Western Isles under 9 Champion! In the girls under 9 and 11 race there were slightly more convincing winds for Ellie Maclean, Laxdale and Catriona Bain, Back ahead of Isla MacKay, Knock and Catriona Rigby respectively. The under 13 boys race was one of the most anticipated of the day with four SRAC runners with many races against each other with differing results determining the main island title! Kenneth MacSween form had been some what up and down but with some “wonder runs” too! Connor MacLean had blitzed the Lewis and Harris series, Michael MacMillan ran well locally though not so well off the island, while Ross Alison got back into racing again. As it turned out all hit very good form and put in strong runs. Ross by half way opened up a comfortable lead with Michael in pursuit, Connor carrying a small injury a little further behind. Going into the third and final lap Ross responded to the support of the crowd and moved even further ahead and Connor put pressure on Michael just before the final hill climb. Ross’s run over the last lap was awesome and he won with some ease to finish thirty eight seconds ahead, perhaps the best individual performance of the day! Connor edged Michael into third with a brave run, though Michael will be pleased to have put in such a good challenge to place third. The weather throughout the day was fine and the winter sun even gave off heat for the afternoon and stayed fine for long enough to have an outdoor prize-giving! The winners were; Under 9 Girls Under 9 Boys Under 11 Girls Under 11 Boys Under 13 Girls Under 13 Boys Under 15 Girls Under 15 Boys Under 17 Ladies Men SRAC wish to thank all volunteers, Shonag and Rhoda on food, Ethel and Angus registration and results, sponsors Woody’s Express and ENABLE for their support. A Tupper. |
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