The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Simpson’s hoping to get back on right track
Marathon man back from injury for cross-country test
Robbie Simpson is playing down his chances of top honours in tomorrow’s Scottish East District cross-country championships at Aberdeen’s Balgownie playing fields.
The Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist, 27, is working back to full fitness after the back injury that has halted his progress for the past couple of months.
The Deeside athlete has not competed in a serious race since winning the Jungfrau mountain marathon at the start of September but is looking forward to this weekend’s challenge.
He said: “I’m not going to be at my best but it will kick-start my competitive comeback.”
Simpson has twice been silver medallist in these championships, in 2012 and 2013, while last year he finished fifth.
He said: “Saturday’s run will be the first time I’ve done a cross country race since the East championships at Livingston last year. I felt terrible and really struggled so hopefully this weekend can’t be worse.”
National cross country champion Kris Jones (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers), who won the Great Aberdeen half marathon in August, will be favourite if he decides to take part.
Simpson’s other rivals include Aberdeen AAC’s Michael Ferguson, who picked up individual bronze last year, and will again hope to feature in the battle for a podium position.
The Scotland international will also lead a strong Aberdeen AAC squad hoping to lift the team title for the first time since 1982-1983.
Will Mackay, Tyler White, Myles Edwards and James Hoad are among the others in their line-up.
Local rivals Metro Aberdeen also fancy their chances of a podium spot for the first time since season 2001-2002.
Cameron Strachan leads a side that includes Kyle Greig, Hamish Battle, Jason Kelly, Ben Ward, Tom Brian and Chris Richardson.
Metro also hope to challenge in the women’s race after team silvers for the past two seasons.
Scotland internationals Fiona Brian and Kayleigh Jarrett were joined by Ginie Barrand and Claire Bruce on both previous occasions and at least three of at quartet will be on duty again.
Brian will make a late decision as she has is only recently back from injury.
But the squad has been bolstered by the addition of Jennifer Elvin who returns from her new home in France to take part.
Kinloss athlete Anna Macfadyen is out as she is representing Great Britain in the European championships at Tilburg, Netherlands, but her Edinburgh University clubmate Mhairi Maclennan, from Inverness, will be among the favourites for the women’s title.