Rising to the challenge

Jun 24 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

CENTRAL Athletics Club duo Scott McDonald and Alex Hendry recorded a one-two in the recent European Mountain Running Championship Trial Race for the GB&NI team in Wales.

Both were going for selection in the Junior Men’s Team (U20) and clinched automiatic selection with Scott winning and Alex in second.

The race was a tough gruelling 4.5mile course at Snowdon with more than 3250ft of climb, the race being uphill only. It was dictated by the pair who worked together in the early stages to break away from the chasing group using their strength and speed on the flat sections.

Scott broke away from Alex midway through the race but the latter started to claw back the gap near the end. Scott managed to put in another effort in the last 400m to the summit to salvage victory over his clubmate.

The European Championships will be held in Austria and this will be the pair’s first representation for GB&NI.