Lewis and Harris XC Series 2007-08

Sponsored by Alex Murray Construction

The first race in the Alex Murray Construction Lewis and Harris Cross Country series took place on Saturday past and attracted a very good entry of one hundred and fifty runners.  This years opening race was a month later than the usual date and the weather forecast in the day’s leading up to the race was not good. However as Saturday morning dawned the winds had dropped and the rains ceased, making for a good day at the races - albeit a little wet under foot! But don’t the kids just seem to love the wet and muddy slog of the cross-country season? Both local supermarkets will no doubt be noticing the increased sales of washing powder!

Racing got underway before most of the young competitors arrived (apart from early-bird’s Sgoil nan Loch that is), this was a combined race including under 17, and senior runners. Throughout the series this will remain the case, as most are club runners that are needed to organise and marshal all the junior races following. There was a reasonable turn out from the senior men and any local runners that couldn’t attend or did not know about the event should look to add to the numbers for the second run on January 12th. Young Robbie Gregg and Robert Smith were the challenge for Alastair Dunlop and Alastair set a good pace for the boys to follow. But the years of experience in the end ensured Alastair crossed the line first but the learning process for the Robert’s will certainly be of benefit to the boy’s in future events! Howie MacIver put in the next best senior performance and he took second place fairly comfortably over Ruairi MacIver. Adherence to New Year resolutions may be a vital factor in the second run in January 12th?

Kirsty Munro ran easily over the 4K route crossing the line first under 17 lady, composed and possibly with even a smile, route guru Gavin will have to ensure a tougher course next time!

The under 11 girls race was the first of the younger age group events, which was run over a course of approximately 1 mile. The race saw old rivalries renewed for Back’s  Mairi MacLennan and Harris runner Peigi McKellar, both having moved up from the younger age group. But the pair in their first year in the 11’s category were in for a tough race from last year’s category runner-up Isabella Bain of Back. It was nip and tuck throughout the race but though Peigi tried hard to take the first slot it was last year’s runner-up with an eye on making the only improvement possible from last season that came out victor! The winning margin was a mere two seconds and Mairi was only a little further behind in third place! The Back team had four runners in the first six and look strong in the team event, but there is also a strong representation from Stornoway, so this will be worth keeping an eye on!

In the boy’s 11’s race Connor MacLean was going to be one of the main challengers having won the 9’s race last year. But there was Stuart MacDonald and the talented Ross Allison to contend with! Ross set the early pace as Connor tried to get on terms with a late arrival a last minute change as the other runners waited on the starting line. The Laxdale/Stornoway Primary tussle ended with Stornoway’s Allison having a six second advantage catching the SRAC coaches eyes, perhaps both will feature for the club in future events! Allison led his Stornoway Primary team into first, as they had six from the first ten in across the line! (Well done Karina!) Encouraging to note that young runners from Lionel, Carloway, Back, Bayble and Sandwickhill all took part in the race, a good cross section of entry from all over the Isles.

Both the 9’s races were close affairs as the results below show, with Back leading the girls event and Stornoway the boy’s, though Tolsta boy’s are only four points behind with all to run for!

The under 13 race for the first time saw the girls with a larger field than the boys, though both age group entries were very encouraging. Both races were combined with the under 15 runners which really helped draw some very good individual performances from the younger age group runners. In the boy’s event there was a sprint for the line from Campbell MacDonald and Duncan McKellar, pulled along by Callum Lawson who was crossing the line to begin his final lap in the longer under 15’s race. Campbell has had several race victories at this venue and now seems to be challenged strongly by the young Harris runner. Both were selected for the North District Team for the Inter District Match in Edinburgh in January on the back of their winning team performance for SRAC along with Mikey Patton. Sadly Robert Jones pulled up in the under 15 race with injury but race winner Josh Sinclair continued to show his improvement with a romping win over club mates Sean MacLeod and Callum Lawson. SRAC hope all will be fit and well for the forthcoming National championships in Falkirk in February!

Like Campbell and Duncan, Rebecca Munro gave good chase to the under 15’s in her race which resulted in a comfortable win over club pals Gillian Johnson and Alison MacInnes. Though both girls in second and third appeared to have more in the tank. Could we have a closer race in January? Holly MacIver and Ailis Murray really put on a great show of front running working off one another’s every move. As the girl’s left the under 13’s behind to go into the extra half lap (for u-15’s) Holly and Ailis were running stride for stride. Murray looked the stronger but didn’t seize the chance with 800m to go, as the pair appeared back onto the Castle Green Holly had recovered and looked determined to take the tape first .... and did. Both are onto a good vein of running form, confirmed by their selection to the North team, as was club pal Ceit Stewart, Ceit also running well with an even paced run throughout the race.

The race day attracted a huge entry ever with one hundred and forty-four taking part form all over Lewis and Harris. School teams from Lionel, Tolsta, Stornoway, Back, Sir E Scott and Sandwick are all in contention for team prizes. This bodes well for local running and sport in general. The popularity of the cross country series continues to “feed” new runners into the club and SRAC are delighted for this to continue! If your school is not mentioned? Why not come along for the next fixtures on January 12th and February 9th! For more detail and full results, visit www.srac.org.uk

Alf T

Race 1 - Results