Lewis and Harris XC Series 2009-10 Race 2
Sponsored by Alex Murray Construction

Cross Country runs on Second Time of Asking!

Racing get’s under way ....

Following the big freeze and then gale force winds the second race in the Alex Murray Construction Lewis and Harris Cross Country Series finally took places last weekend. The Lews Castle and the surrounding Castle grounds seemed to be the “hot-spot” for sport. Golfers continued their winter league, both junior and senior teams from Stornoway Rugby Club took on mainland opposition and one hundred and forty four ran the second x country race! 

Throughout the age group races there was an abundance of natural raw talent to be seen, with time, development and training of the right sort then athletics locally and other sports in general will benefit greatly! In the younger age group races there were some stunning runs and not just from the top placing runners. Often youngster’s faces crossing the line a bit further down from the top placings showed total enjoyment and their running styles identified runners of the future!

Race for the line!

        Glad to get to the line!

Making it to the line 1^st!

Saturday’s races also saw new schools taking part on the Castle Green and the tracks surrounding Lews Castle. Sgoil na Pairce for example had pupils run in several races and Laxdale (one of the islands larger school roles) made a big impact for the first time in a while with impressive placings. Ever “presents” Sandwickhill and Tolsta featured too, but it will take some effort for schools to compete with either Back or Stornoway Primary. Ness however may well have more than comment to make on that though and may well figure in the final placings in team events!

As organisers SRAC had all their best runners representing various schools from throughout the island and there were indications that the trip to Falkirk next month should be well worth while! In the under 13 boys race the club are lucky to have a good team in Connor MacLean, Kenneth MacSween, Michael MacMillan and Jamie Sullivan (and more). But the four who have been taking turn beating each other through the winter so far has resulted in healthy competition in the team! That can only be good for both them and SRAC, so hopefully they will place well at the National Championships on February 20^th! “Top dog” on the day however was Connor MacLean, who in the under 13 / 15 mixed boys race showed that sometimes age just doesn’t count when you give it a real good go! Connor appears to be favourite for the Lewis and Harris U13 title, but will Jamie, Michael or Jamie perhaps be number one in Falkirk?

In the under 9’s races over approximately 700meters the results were very tight. Elijah Cracket of Ness held off Back’s John A MacIver to win by three seconds, while Isla MacKay from Knock took first by a mere second ahead of Laxdale’s Ellie MacLean. By contrast the under 11 races had fairly convincing winners! Daniel Duffy was clear winner in the boys race ahead of his Stornoway Primary team mates, Kyle Munro and Hugh MacKenzie and look good for the team prize going into the final race. Back’s Catriona Bain also had an impressive win ahead of team runner Chirsty Graham in third and Stornoway Primary’s Kirsty Thomson.

In the course of the senior race your scribe overheard the comment of a first time runner in the Lewis and Harris series, having just moved to the island from Preston. I can report the comment was highly complimentary of the course, so thanks to Sir James Matheson for the foresight to make such a lovely park! Though Sir James perhaps had not envisaged the commoner running on his wonderful gardens, at least not unless it involved the factors gun! Luckily today the Stornoway Trust Factor is very accommodating of the usage of the Castle Grounds and SRAC are thankful for that. So for any other potential new comers to the x country event, SRAC will not let you down in the planned third route! (6^th March).

SRAC now expect a good attendance for the final race in the series in two weeks time on Saturday March 6^th, schools should pre enter runners as soon as possible. Schools currently holding trophies should return them to the club before the final event. Thanks to all club members and parents that contributed, thanks to Stornoway Trust, Lewis Crofters and particularly our sponsors Alex Murray Construction. 

A Tupper