ATHLETICS

Callum helps the Habbies to silver

Kilbarchan AAC star Callum Hawkins helped his club pick up a silver medal In his first race since his stunnning performance at the World Championships.

The 26-year-old turned out for the senior men’s team at the Lindsays National Cross Country Relays in Cumbernauld.

Despite losing out to eventual winners Central Athletics Club, Hawkins said he was still glad to get his club vest on again after his incredible fourth place in Doha, Qatar.

He said:“It was probably a bit too early for me to throw myself into some hard running, to be honest.

“But I enjoyed representing my club and being on the grass again.

“I thought we had a strong enough team to win it, but it wasn’t to be on the day.

“Maybe I could have ran a bit quicker if I had a few more races in my legs, but I gave it

my all and all the other lads did as well.

“You can’t ask for any more than that.”

Central AC continue to be an unstoppable force when it comes to the Senior Men’s race at the Lindsays National XC Relays.

That became abundantly clear when the club, guided by the coaching of Derek Easton, saw anchor runner Jamie Crowe lead them home ahead of Kilbarchan AAC.

Hawkins’marathon run was one of the key stories of the World Championships this year, with the British long distance ace leading the race with just two kilometres left.

And while he felt the Scottish event was a welcome first return to running, he admits he may never get over the feeling of just missing out on a world medal for the second time in a row.

He said:“I’m feeling slightly better, but I don’t think I’ll ever get over the disappointment. It still feels like an opportunity missed. I still feel there were things I could have done better.

“It’s done though and I’ve just got to move on from it.

“It was really good to see people out supporting the event at Cumbernauld.

“To see big crowds out at cross events is great because it’s where I started.”

Hawkins, meanwhile, also recently helped relaunch the Stirling Marathon, which was under threat of being cancelled next year.

He added:“The course is well known as one of the most picturesque and scenic marathon courses in the world, with tremendous support in every village and town that the runners pass through.”