We’re up for the race... if we can just find a venue BB vows to host championship
The Boys’ Brigade National Cross Country Championships is hoofing it to Paisley... if they can secure a venue.
Paisley and District Battalion will host the annual sporting championships after being selected from entries across the country.
Around 250 members from groups across Scotland will arrive in the town for the race next spring.
However, groups leaders have revealed that they are struggling to find a venue to host the competition.
A Paisley and District Battalion spokesman said: “We are more than happy to accept this invitation.
“We are attempting to hold this event in Renfrewshire, but we have been unable to procure the use of the Linwood Sports Centre.
“Unless suitable facilities can be found, as a last resort we may have to move the event outwith Renfrewshire.
“This would be unfortunate as we anticipated it could also provide national coverage for Paisley’s bid for the City of Culture 2021.”
Joyce McKellar, chief executive of Renfrewshire Leisure said the ON-X staff would be delighted to host the event, but the main hall had already been booked.
She added: “We’ve already offered the organisers use of our running track and spectators’ stand at the ON-X, use of our land around the sports centre for the cross-country course, changing facilities inside the centre plus rooms for invited guests to have a refreshments.
“The only part of the ON-X which is unavailable on the day, is the main sports hall which is being used by local sports clubs and groups with long-term bookings like kid’s gymnastics, football and badminton among others.”
This year’s run took place at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park in March.
Inverclyde won the juniors race, while Stirling took the intermediate prize and 1st Glasgow took the seniors trophy.
Battalions require four runners to compete for team awards.
The competition is due to be held in March 2018.