Athletics: Ross lifts second Scottish title

Oct 5 2011 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

CENTRAL AC’s Ross Houston lifted his second Scottish title in as many weeks with an outstanding run in the Loch Ness Marathon at Inverness on Sunday.

Having struck gold at the City of Stirling 10K, Ross reduced his personal best by over 90 seconds in taking the Scottish Marathon title on Sunday in the superb time of 2h 21m 5s. The second Scot was over four minutes behind.

Veteran runners Roger Greenaway (3:02.32) and Phil Hendry (3:36.52) also performed with distinction, joining Ross in lifting the Scottish team bronze medals for Central.

The club had four runners competing for the East of Scotland in an inter-district event as part of the BUPA Great Edinburgh 10K on Sunday. John Newsom finished second in the event (10th overall) in 30m 58s to lead the East team to victory. Alex Hendry was fifth in the event (14th overall), with Lewis Millar eighth in the event and 19th overall. Jennifer Emsley continued her recent good form in seventh place in the women’s event (15th overall) in 38m 9s, with her East team in second place.

The first race in the club’s cross-country series was held at Airthrey Castle in heavy rain on Saturday over 1½ miles.

U15 boys Iain Davies and Jamie Paterson matched stride for stride throughout, with Iain just prevailing on the line and finishing in 8m 39s. Scott Fleming underlined his recent improved form to take the U13 race in 9m 40s ahead of Campbell McNicol, with Jack Maxwell third. Ben Parkinson was top U11 boy in 9.52, holding off Thomas Hanson and Matthew McGarva.

Catriona Laing ran strongly throughout to win the U13 girls in 9.35, ahead of Eilidh Russell and Sophie Rose. At U15 Roisin Bonucchi clocked 9.47 while the top U11 girl was Skye Henderson (10.40), ahead of Erin Clark and Rena Fleming. U9 Katie Bonucchi finished in 16.13.