Lewis and Harris XC Series 2009-10 Race 1
Sponsored by Alex Murray Construction

First Cross Country Race draws Big Entry!

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The first race in the Alex Murray Construction Lewis and Harris Cross Country series drew a fantastic entry from all parts of the “long island” in wonderful autumn weather. Runners came from north, south, east and west schools promoting the event; including Lionel, Sir E Scott, Uig and the Broad Bay Area. School stalwart’s supporting the event once again included; Sandwickhill, Tolsta, Back, Stornoway Primary (in huge numbers) and Laxdale seemed to have their biggest participation in some years. 

In total around one hundred and fifty enjoyed a run over the Castle Grounds routes in fine weather and one hundred and thirty six of were under 17 runners! Of the five age groups in the boys and girls race the ten wins were spread across the different schools. Sir E Scott, Back and Lionel all had one winner and the Nicolson had five. The five winners attending the Nicolson are all coached with the club and it is hoped that better links can be built with the school to tap into the undoubted talent in the island’s biggest school. In the senior race the event had its biggest entry for some time, in what may been seen as a running event for kids. Hopefully the bigger entry to the opening event of the season will attract other senior runners to enjoy the experience of the “kind surface” cross country running in the Lews Castle Grounds offers!

Some very tightly fought races have all ready set-up the prospects of close competition for several age group categories and there is also a several schools points totals looking very tight after the first race! In the boys under 9 800meter race only three seconds separated the race winner Elijah, Ness from second placed John Bain from Back. The girls under 11 event over 1475meters the first three, Catriona Bain, Catriona Rigby and Kirsty Thomson finished within 10 seconds of each other! Only a very exciting sprint finish from Catriona Rigby piped Thomson for second place in front of a appreciative cheering crowd!

The top performance in winning margins were form Peigi McKellar in the under 13 girls race and Rebecca Munro in the under 15 race and both appear in good form for the North Championships. Also running well were Connor MacLean in winning the under 13 race, but he was very closely followed by SRAC team mate Michael MacMillan. With Jamie Sulliven and Kenneth MacSween also running with the first two for SRAC at the District event the club will be well represented. Similarly the boys under 15 team of Campbell MacDonald, Duncan McKellar and Micheil R Smith, should also look to a good day in a fortnight’s time in Inverness.

Kirsty Thomson early leader in Under 11 race

Some very tightly fought races have all ready set-up the prospects of close competition for several age group categories and there is also a several schools points totals looking very tight after the first race!

   Elijah Crackett just lead’s onto the green!                 Micheil R Smith in good form!

Many of the young runners taking part for their schools will have used Saturday’s race as their final preparation for this year’s North District Championships. The club will have one more Saturday training session (14^th November) before travelling to Inverness on Friday for the District Championship and then race the following day. Tuesday’s session will be available to the under 13 and upward category – hopefully meeting for the last time at 6pm at the astro pitch before returning to the newly resurfaced and lined running track!

A Tupper

Placings

Thanks to sponsors Alex Murray Construction Ltd

Also Stornoway Trust, Lewis Crofters and Woody’s Express.