Andrew eases to cross country win
Olympian in Saturday stroll for Central
More than 250 athletes applauded Olympian Andrew Butchart when he took his place in the lineup for Saturday’s opening East District Cross Country League match at Stirling University.
He accepted the plaudits gracefully - before strolling to victory for the third year in a row, covering the three- lap 9000 metre course in 27min 34secs while leading his Central senior men’s team to victory on the day and overall male team lead to a narrow lead as the top of table.
Central ensured the league win in this category through strength in depth coming from Jamie Crowe (6th; 29.25), Michael Wright (7th; 29.35), Alex Hendry (13th), Conan McCaughey (14th) and Under 20 Aidan Thompson (16th). Euan Brownlie was 41st while Central’s first veteran Scott Bremner continued his excellent form in 43rd.
There was further back-up through Colin Logan (52nd), Will Hensman (64th), Ewan Jack (82nd), David Eckersley (94th) and Fraser Logan (100th).
Jamie Wastling showed progress to finish in 108th leading in a string of veterans through Andy Turnbull (109th), Charles Graham-Marr (139th), Colin Alexander (164th), Hugh Kerr (174th), Fraser Purves (199th), Simon Barlow (203rd), Liam McCabe (211th), Jamie Stokoe (220th), Allan Gall (233rd) and the inspirational Cameron Campbell (249th).
The club’s leading senior ladies runners were away on a range of other commitments and stepping up to the plate to keep the female team on track were Eleanor Hanson (28th), Lee Houghton (72nd), Samantha Hunter (74th) and Emily Holl (80th). Overall Central females over all age groups were still in contention in third place.
The Under 11 girls provided an early highlight of the day as they headed their age group league table with the first race over their 1400 metres course. Melissa Turnbull (2nd; 5.49) led a team of Carys Gibb (9th; 6.22), Leah Stenhouse (17th), Ellie Watson (44th) and Mara Gillan (51s). In the Under 11 boys race Cameron Darnbrough finished in 18th, Owen Eckersley (61st) and Sam Jones (78th).
The Under 13 races had a much more testing profile of racing across more difficult ground and a 2400 metre test. The boys showed great form to finish as second team with Finlay Muir showing great character to finish in 7th (10.23) followed by Sandy Buchanan (15th), Euan Campbell (21st), Cameron MacMillan (35th), Euan Donegan (52nd), Ross Lawrie (63rd), Struan Craig (68th) and Finlay Marchant (69th).
Central Under 13 girls team was fifth in the league standings through great running and teamwork through Jessica Turnbull (15th), Anna MacKinnon (19th), Naomi Howlieson (24th), Amy Faunce Smith (28th), Amy Kirkpatrick (32nd), Fionnlaith Stokoe (37th), Ellen Montgomery (54th), Erin Miller (59th), Megan Dunlop (60th), Heather Riach (62nd) Ellie Ross (63rd), Heather Hale (66th).
The Under 15 boys were also fifth with strong running from Ben MacMillan (9th; 10.41), Cameron Blance and Thomas Woods coming through together in 22nd and 23rd and Cameron Fraser in 39th.
There was a combined race for the under 15 and under 17 ladies over a pair of short laps to make up 2800 metres with under 15 Rosie Eckersley coming out as fifth in 11.32, Skye Henderson (18th), Millie Stokoe (28th), Hannah Blance (29th) and Rebecca Hogg (30th).
The under 17 field was led in by Lauren McCulloch (7th; 11.49), Madeleine Woods (10th; 12.18) Heather Scott (15th), Fiona Davies (16th) and Bethany Burch (18th).
The under 17 mens race saw more fine displays with Tom Graham-Marr finishing seventh in 21.32 and Sandy Holl 14th.