Stornoway Running and Athletics Club

Stornoway Running and Athletics Club, organisers of the Lewis and Harris Cross Country Championships, breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday when there was finally some decent weather for the last round race, which allowed 110 children and adults to take part. Over the three race series, more than 200 have competed.

SRAC would like to congratulate the schools involved for promoting the event and actively encouraging participation. Thanks are also due to the parents and teachers that take the children along and then stand in the mud spectating. The presence of so many adults has helped to give the races an exciting atmosphere this year.

In the Under-9 boys race Dan Crossley and Mark Mackenzie were virtually neck and neck again, and this time Mark was first across the line with a winning margin of one second. Although they finished equal on points Dan's aggregate time over the three races was one second faster and he therefore took championship gold.

It was the same story in the Under 9 girls race with Holly Maciver and Aliis Murray, despite Holly gaining top points in the first two races Allis took gold medal after winning the final race by two seconds and finishing equal on points with Holly, but with an aggregate time that was only one second faster.

In the Under-11 boys race, Martin Maclean from Back took first place beating Grant Stewart from Bayble by a narrow margin. Grant however took the championship gold ahead of Ian Maclennan from Scalpay and Kieran Mulhearn from Sir E Scott. Rhoma Macleod from Breasclete came first in the Under 11 girls race ahead of Ruth Walker from Laxdale and C J Macphail from Stornoway, Rhoma therefore took championship gold ahead of Jane Maciver of Sandwickhill.

There was never any doubt who was going to win the Under 13 boys race following his wins in the previous rounds, Jim Keenan from the Nicolson ran another excellent race to finish nearly a minute ahead of his nearest rival, Cailean McCombe of Sir E Scott. The improving Alex Gilbert of the Nicolson took bronze in the championship following his hard earned third place run. In the girls race, Eilidh Mackenzie from the Nicolson chalked up her second win, but her third place in the first race of the series meant she finished equal on points with Jayne Murray from Back who took gold with a faster aggregate time. Mairi Crate from Bayble managed to stay ahead of Shona Finlayson from Sir E Scott to pick up championship bronze.

In the Under-15 boys race, Murdo A Mackenzie put in another classy performance to finish well ahead of Jason Maclean and Jonathan Murray. Murdo missed out on a championship medal having missed the second race because he was storm bound in Ullapool. Jason Maclean, therefore, added another gold to what must be an impressive collection of cross-country medals, while Jonathan Murray picked up silver and Iain Mackay from Sir E Scott took bronze. In the girls race, Christy Macleod from the Castle again showed what a talented runner she is to finish ahead of Niketa Ferguson. Christy took championship gold while the consistent Louise Haggarty of Sir E Scott took silver.

In the Under-17 girls race Donna Macleod put in a good effort to win and took championship gold ahead of Kirsteen Munro. Iain Maciver took first place and picked up championship gold in the Under 17 boys race.

In the seniors race Roddy Gillies looked in good form to win ahead of Tony Robson and Ruaraidh Ferguson, but it was Ruaraidh who picked up the championship gold. In the ladies race Meg Gordon took gold ahead of Chrissie Macrae.

Thanks are due to everyone that took part or helped with the organisation, and a special thank you to the staff of the Woodland Centre.