Morag and Andrew clock up victories
The Cambridge Dictionary word of the year is“perseverance”and that covered all of the Central AC cross country contingent who made their way to Camperdown Park in Dundee on Saturday for the second East District Cross Country League races of the season.
The morning rain gave way to bright sunshine before the first race and with good underfoot conditions and some challenging slopes the scene was set for some fast racing.
Individual wins came for Morag Millar in the senior women’s race and Andrew Butchart in the senior men’s while the men also took the team race to go top of the table with one race remaining.
Disappointingly, no Central AC athletes featured in the Under 11 and Under 13 races so in the programme of events it was Under 17 Man Cameron Kerr who was first to stride out in the yellow and blue club vest. Cameron ran a well-judged race as he moved through the field to finish in a highly commendable fifth, covering the 6.4kilometre course in exactly 23 minutes.
Next event was the women’s 6.4km race. On the first hill of the race it looked as though Morag Millar might be challenged but her opposition faded as she powered round to win by more than 90 seconds, covering the distance in 23:33 which should set her up for her venture to compete for Scotland next weekend in Liverpool.
It was also good to see Central take second team place with further excellent running from Rosie Eckersley (16th; 26:49), Heather Scott (18th; 27:00) and Claire Houston (21st; 27:28) with were further determined efforts from Cliona Diamond (53rd; 30:41) and Julie McAfee (67th: 31:54) providing essential back-up.
The Under 15 Boys challenge was played out over a 4km course which saw Aaron Middleton running well throughout to finish 24th overall in a useful time of 15:54, while Alex Dunlop completed the same race in 38th with 17:12 to add his value to the club’s effort.
The penultimate race of the day featured a combined Under 15 Girls and Under 17 Womens race also over a 4km course and here Catriona Kane looked strong throughout to finish 12th with 16:21 with Millie O’Neill sticking well to the task to come home in 46th with 19:25.
The men’s race was again the final race of the day and proved a happy hunting ground for Central’s men as their victory which saw them go top of the table with one race remaining.
Andrew Butchart had another outstanding run to win, covering the 9.6km, three-lap challenge in 29:50, with Jamie Crowe in second with 30:03 leaving a big gap to the rest of the field.
The always dependable Alastair Hay finished fifth in 31:49 while Luca Fanattoli (7th; 32:01) showed further improvement and with Cameron Milne (8th; 32:05) and Dale Colley (12th; 33:00) the Central team were well deserving of their top billing.
Masters champion Scott Brember was again first Masters runner and a fine 17th overall with 33:40. There were further notable performances from Andrew Irvine (41st; 36:33), Craig Coulle (58th; 38:03) and Lewis Millar (72nd; 38:42). The Masters were well represented by David Eckersley (100th; 40:59), Donald Shaw (113th; 41:56), Hugh Buchanan (152nd; 45:24), Iain Dunsmore (162nd; 46:24), Raymond Milne (167th; 47:17), Allan Gall (178th; 51:04), Cameron Campbell (180th; 52:25) and Colin Sinclair (183rd; 57:19) with all finishing the course in style.
The final East District League Races are scheduled for Livingston on January 22 and it would be good to see a larger turn out from all Central age groups.