MacLarty to the fore

Nov 19 2008

THE focus of a busy Cross Country season moved to the first race in the UKA Challenge in Gateshead last Saturday with quality races throughout the programme and with high winds adding to the testing conditions it was good to see all Central Athletic Clubs’ runners proving their worth.

Morag MacLarty competed in a top class Senior Women's field and came home in an excellent seventh place in a time of 27min 50secs for the 7.3 kilometre course.

The Junior (Under 20) Men's race was held over the same distance and here Scott McDonald caught the eye with his sixth place in 25min 20secs leading in Alex Hendry in 15th (25.52) and Sean Reilly in 16th (26.10).

Dollar athlete, Michael Gillespie was representing Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds, finishing ninth in 24.41. Andrew Butchart continued his impressive Season with a run into twelfth place in the Under 17 Men's race, covering the 5.9 kilometres course in 19min 11secs.

It is well known that Kathryn Gillespie is one of the UK’s top Under 13 endurance runners, a fact that was underlined as she crossed the line in 12min 12secs in the Under 13 Girls race over 3kilometres. Unfortunately Kathryn missed out on victory by the smallest of margins as Hannah Bethwaite of Ellenborough AC pipped her to the post with both Girls finishing in the same time.

The annual Edinburgh University Braids Hills Cross Country was also held on Saturday and the hilly course always makes this a true endurance test. Michael Wright was Central’s top finisher in the six mile Men's race finishing 14th in 35min11secs. Will Hensman had a useful run in 40th place (37.48) while Chris McHardy (130th with 42.47) and George McHardy (197th with 53.27) also stuck well to the task. Fiona Thomson came home fourth in the 3 mile Women's race (19.06) with Jennifer Emsley having a good run in 24th (20min 24secs).