Lewis and Harris XC Series 2006-07

Sponsored by Alex Murray Construction 

Home to REAL Cross Country!

A week after many of the young athletes of the island experienced the top competition of the Scottish Inter District Championships in Edinburgh’s Hollyrood Park, it was back to “home territory”, for the second race in the Alex Murray (Construction) cross-country series.

Unlike the mainly flat course of the Monarch’s back garden of Hollyrood, the Castle Ground’s route offered more variations of terrain to challenge the young runners, amazingly to their liking! Route planner Gavin Earons did his best to make race two in the ever-popular three race series a little easier than the opening race. However plotting the route over a slightly less challenging route just does not account for the ground conditions following the recent rain(s), which were as bad as they have been since the annual series of races started! Undeterred each of the younger age groups had their turn of going through the noisiest warm-up you’ve ever heard, led by Harris coach Coinneach Morrison before showing the spectating families, friends and school supervisors what they could do. If you’ve never seen it and only read the reports, then make a date to be at the final race on Saturday February 24th!

The first win of the day went to Keggs MacKenzie, who in the main ran unchallenged by the combined under 17, 20 and senior entrants. His lap times were very good as he paced through the sticky conditions in just over six minute mile pace. But keeping close order on him was Calum Smith; winner of the under 17 three-lap race, only a few seconds per lap behind MacKenzie with a very reasonable effort! The MacKenzie success continued in the combined race as Eilidh MacKenzie got back to good form, running strongly and with perhaps a smile of confidence that says she’s looking forward to some good races before the cross country season closes! Eilidh’s time of 24 minutes 51 for a 6000metre course was very useful and only 40 seconds behind overall winner Keggs MacKenzie. Other winner’s in the combined race were Coinneach Morrison, senior male and Elizabeth Scott; will they make it three wins form three in the final race?

There were many close run races throughout the day as can be seen in scanning the days results, which sets up some great races to decide the outcome of the various age group Champions. One such race saw Back’s Isabell Bain over turn the last result with victory over Laxdale’s Leah Duncan. Both will be determined to take the top spot, but other young runners such as Stornoway Primary’s Beth Gilbert may yet play a part in the final result!

The boys under 11 race had the biggest entry of the day with 34 runners and although the one, two, three of Tolsta’s Campbell MacDonald and Alan and Angus Murray of Melbost was the same as last time round, there is a lot of enthusiasm in this category. The team prize for the under 11 boys will go to the wire with several schools still possible winners!

In the under 9 boys race the determination of a young competitor was seen in Andrew MacLeod winner of the first race. Although not “100%”, he was determined not to miss the race and did well to finish 14th and yet still remains in contention for a top three placing! Winner on the day was Mark MacDonald and he is now second over all in the category behind second placed runner on the day and also from Stornoway Primary, Michael MacMillan. The close times of the girls under 9 race show how good the competition is in this age group and hopefully with the competition is a lot of fun. Certainly entry level would suggest that! Back’s Mairi MacLennan had another great tussle with Peigi McKellar of Sir E Scott and edged the Harris girl into second and also would appear to be leading the Back team to a team win this year. (Perhaps Back have been spying on their neighbours in Tolsta ‘s training regime!)

The under 13 and 15 age categories ran together again and sisters Jane and Holly Maciver battled it out at the front of the field, Jane looked very strong this week overtaking her younger sister on the second lap and finished very strongly to win the under 15 race. While Holly won the under 13 race ahead of Ailis Murray and a group of younger under 13 runners, Rebecca Munro  (Nicolson), Catriona MacKay (Back), Madeline Reedy (Leverburgh) and Alicia MacSween (Lionel) Yes there is talent throughout all the Long Island!

The boys under 13 and 15 races were well won by regular SRAC runners, Robert Jones led from the front although challenged in the early stages by Calum Robertson. The Lawson twins Calum and Uileam separated in second and fourth place by Josh Sinclair also put in good steady runs. Again there were younger runners worthy of mention who hopefully will contest the age category next year and perhaps look to getting a red and gold SRAC vest! They are Michael Paton and Duncan McKellar both (Sir E Scott), William Smith (Sgoil nan Loch), Sam, Joseph and Ryan (all Lionel) and Ross MacIver of Sandwickhill.

SRAC thank all those taking part and supporting the event, which drew talented youngsters from all parts of the island. Thanks again to all the community and school supervisors that took children to the wonderful (but wet and oh, aye, cold) castle grounds. (Hear the hot chocolate in the Woodland’s is very good though!) Thank to Stornoway Trust, Woody and the Lewis Crofters and sponsor Alex Murray. The final race in the series will be the 24th of February.

Alf Tupper

Race 2 - Results