ELUSIVE GOLD IS METRO TARGET

Claire Bruce leads Metro Aberdeen’s attempt to land another podium position in the East District crosscountry championships senior women’s race at Stirling tomorrow.

Over the past four seasons Metro have finished in the silver position on three occasions and have once taken bronze.

Naomi Lang, who was selected for the Great Britain team for the now postponed world mountain running championships in Thailand, leads an Aberdeen AAC team that also includes Zoe Bates and Hannah Cameron.

Aberdeen AAC’s Kirsty Purcell is a strong medal contender in the under-20 women’s race in which her twin sister Caitlin should also be in the mix.

Michael Ferguson leads Aberdeen AAC’s men’s bid for honours.

The Scotland international was bronze-medallist in 2017 but knows he faces a tough task if he is to get on the podium again.

Aberdonian Sasha Chepelin (Carnethy Hill Racing Club) could spring a surprise. The Edinburgh-based Great Britain orienteering international is better known as a hill runner but he defeated Ferguson in an East District league race at Hawick in October.

Scotland 100km internationals Jason Kelly and Chris Richardson lead Metro Aberdeen’s squad along with Will Mackay, while international hill runner James Espie heads the Deeside Runners challenge.

Aberdeen AAC have strong medal prospects in the younger age group races. Rhys Crawford, Thomas Reynolds, Oscar Chirnside and Finlay Mckay are capable of taking top spot at under-15 level while Kai Crawford, Hamish Mckay and Aleksandar Jovcic offer a potent threat in the under-17s.