CROSS COUNTRY

The penultimate race in Central AC’s Cross Country Series was played out over a muddy and testing course neat Callander Crags car park.

The 33 participants all made light of the conditions with the general opinion that the runners had enjoyed the tough course of somewhat over a mile.

Under 15 runner Euan Docherty (7.04) has been running well all season and here broke away to record a comfortable win with a powerful effort on the final climb. Ross Lawrie (8.31) has supported all the races in the series and here finished as second Under 15 boy.

The Under 13 boys were led home by Joshua Kennedy with another impressive run (7.14) while Aaron Middleton (7.38) and Alex Dunlop (7.58) also showed their normal strong commitment. There were further eye catching runs in this age group from Andrew Twigg (8.26), Henry Crossley (8.29), Angus Kennedy (10.13) and Scott Hill (10.36).

It was Oliver Holden who again finished as first Under 17 in 7.32 from Lloyd Raymond (8.47) while there were more top performances from the Under 11s with Jack Sutton (8.00) well to the fore to lead this age group from Fergus Young (8.34), Jamie Connor (8.43), Lewis Cook (8.48), Finlay MacGregor (8.49) and Jake Drummond (8.51). There were further gutsy runs from Noah Kennedy (9.08), Gavin Young (9.17), Cameron Moore (9.22), Oliver Brunner (9.39) and Joe Marshall (12.25).

Joel Gillan was the sole Under 9 boy and looks a future prospect, finishing in a fine 9.16.

Leona Melville led the Under 13 girls home with an excellent 8.01 run with Leah Brown (8.46), Erin Partridge (9.41), Robyn Youens (9.57) and Grace Johnstone (12.07) all showing top commitment over this demanding course. Niamh McKinlay was again first Under 11 girl with a tasty 8.37 clocking leading in Dara Clark (9.18), Fia Watkin (9.23), Tabatha MacKenzie (9.50) and Willow Hopper (11.09) all girls finishing well.

Thanks to the Callander coaches for organising an excellent event. Series concludes in King’s Park, Stirling on the morning of Saturday, March 23.