Paul is pipped at post

A Cambuslang Harriers runner has come within half a second of being crowned World Masters Cross Country Champion after a terrific effort in South Korea.

Paul Thompson came agonisingly close to the national title on Monday morning after representing Britain in Daegu.

He was out kicked in the last 40m of the 8km race, losing by less than half a second to take the silver medal.

Another gutsy run saw Paul sit with the leading group over the first half of the race until deciding to stretch them out over the third lap.

Reducing the group to four in the final lap, Paul managed to gain a 20m gap coming into the last 100m.

However, the eventual champion, a Polish runner, had the momentum as they both rounded the last sharp bend.

Unfortunately by the time Paul realised the Pole was there, he had ran out of steam to hold on.

Paul can still be pleased with his run, going two places better than in Perth, Australia, last year.

He also added another bronze medal to his ever growing collection in the team competition.

In the same race, fellow Harrier Archie Jenkins, who was recovering from a recent operation, ran well in the circumstances.

In the women’s race, Lynn Marr finished in fifth place and also helped her team to win the gold medal.