National Cross Country Championships - 21 February 2004 - Perth

Matthew Gillespie was indeed at the 'top of the class' as he continued his unbeaten streak with an emphatic victory in the Under 13 Boys National Cross Country over the 3200metre course in Perth. Matthew shouldered the responsibility of pre-race favourite with his usual maturity, running away from the field to lift the Alex Nagle Memorial Trophy, winning by 25 seconds in an excellent 11min 52secs.  Central Athletic Club were also awarded the McKenzie Cup for winning the Under 13 Boys Team event with Matthew's victory backed up by fine runs from Sean Reilly (18^th in 12.59), Anthony Gillespie (23^rd in 13.06) and Alan Bennie (39^th in 13.39).  David Hutchison had to move up in both age group and distance to compete in the Under 13 Boys event and his 66^th place in 14.22 indicates that he will be one to watch for the future.

Michael Gillespie looked a little off the silky form which has stood him in good stead this season as he found the pace at the front of the Under 15 Boys race, over 4000metres, just a little too hot to handle.  Michael had to settle for fifth place on this occasion but still finished in the excellent time of 12min 24secs and can take some comfort from the list of classy runners left trailing behind him.

Rowena Bell-Scott again produced an improved performance when it mattered, finishing with an excellent eleventh place in the Under 17 Womens race over 4800metres in 19.30. The Under 20 Womens race produced a further medal for Central through Morag MacLarty's run of 18mins 9secs over the same 4800metre course. Morag sets herself such high standards that she was disappointed with the bronze medal from this event, however when seen in the perspective of a cross country season cruelly shortened through injury this will hopefully be a step back on the road to winning ways. Fiona Thompson finished a very close up fourth in the Under 20 Womens race in 18.10 and can be very pleased with this improved performance.

It was good to see Alastair Hay contesting the medal positions in the early part of the Under 20 Mens race over an 8000metre course. Alistair continues to make progress towards his best form and on this occasion came away with a worthy bronze medal from his run of exactly 24 minutes.  Lewis Millar also had a useful run in this age group, completing the course in 28^th place in 27.07.

In the Senior Women Race Toni McIntosh expressed herself unhappy with her run but looked to be returning to useful form with 11^th place, taking 28min 4secs to cover the 8000 metre course. Hazel Dean continues to show improvement and finished in an excellent 18^th place in 28min 52secs. Meanwhile Ainsley Normand was having one of her best runs for the Club finishing in 39^th place (30.26) out of the 106 finishers. Overall the three Ladies were close contenders for team medals, just missing out with fourth team place.

There was little let up in a fast paced Senior Mens race over 12000metres which saw Robert Russell contesting the early pace with the front runners. It was only on the last of the three laps that Robert had to give way but he still finished in a highly creditable 14^th place in 36.12 leaving some 400 runners trailing in his wake. Alasdair Anthony and Ewan Gault paced each other round to complete the course in 50^th and 52^nd places respectively (38.01 and 38.03).  Ross Houston produced some useful running for 67^th spot in 38.36 while Steve Laing (96^th in 39.33) and Alex Milne (98^th in 39.34) completed Central's Team scoring which saw the Club finish in a fine sixth place overall. Robert Hutchinson squeezed into the top two hundred in 199^th place - 43.03 and Ian Beattie proved a useful addition to the Club finishing in 232^nd in 44.14. Congratulations are also due to all the Central Athletic Club runners who completed the course in fine style - Roger Greenaway (272 in 45.17), Ewan Bell-Scott (286 in 46.02), Cameron Campbell (292 in 46.17), John Millar (329 in 48.04), David Hay (374 in 51.12) and Jim Drummond (387 in 53.41).

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Saturday 14 February. The Club's Annual Cross Country Championships were held at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane.

Steve Laing, assisted by Robert Russell, had worked hard on the morning of the race to produce a testing course for the athletes with two stream crossings which were the focus of interest for the spectators.

Marie Gillespie proved to be the class runner in the Under 11 Girls race, over one and a quarter miles, winning in 7min 35secs. Rachel Mills showed excellent improvement to come home second (7.58) while Catherine Gillespie, in her first race, gave us a glimpse of 'things to come' with a bronze medal performance (8.02). Georgia Quinn was another to show promise, finishing in fourth place with 8.31.  Other Club runners who had fine performances were Caitlin Grupping (9.07), Brooklyn Warkentin (9.07) and Emma Chalmers (9.30).  There were guest runs from Hannah O'Connor (8.38), Hannah Ritchie (9.04) and Becky Stevens (10.52).

The Under 11 Boys race saw a fine win from David Hutchinson in 6.58, who was pushed all the way by Martyn Paterson's silver medal run of 7.02. Ross Milne had an improved run for third, finishing the one and a quarter mile course in 7.49.  Conor Kerr's fourth place marked him out as another to watch for the future, finishing the race in 8.18.  Again guest runners enhanced the race with Andrew Spears finishing in 7.12, Timothy Wade (7.46), Douglas Barrett (7.55), Jake McGougan (8.15), Alasdair Simpson (8.28) and Ewan Douglas (8.29).

The Club's Under 13 Girls produced the best race of the day with Jennifer Hutchinson showing some excellent sprinting in the run in to retain her trophy with an improved performance over the one and three quarter mile course (11.08).  Becky Hay contested the race to the end with another fine run but had to settle for a silver medal on this occasion (11.10). Hillary Warkentin (11.11) was only one second behind Becky in this very competitive race and was rewarded with the bronze medal. Kelly Natella kept running well throughout for 11.56 while Claire Tunaly (13.04) and Gemma Milne (13.10) will continue to improve from here. It was good to see both Lynn Harvey (14.51) and Rachael Lucas(14.52).giving Cross Country a try and it is hoped that both will persevere.  Again the guests added to the quality of this race with a contingent of Falkirk Victoria Harriers showing good form through Suzi McGougan (10.40), Megan McConnell (10.57), Jayde Hamilton (10.58) and Sophia Beltrane (11.09) while Robyn Swan finished in 13.14.

Matthew Gillespie, in a warm-up run ahead of the Scottish National Championships at Perth, retained his Under 13 Boys title, covering the one and three quarter miles course in 9min 4secs. Sean Riley showed considerable improvement from the previous year to take silver in 9.33. Anthony Gillespie showed some good pace judgement as he came home for third in 9.54 while Alan Bennie showed he still has 'what it takes' with a run of 10.13.  It was good to see Sandy MacLarty competing again and he raised the biggest cheer of the day when finishing in 16.32.  The guests this time included Calum Grant (10.36), Andrew Butchart (10.55), Aaron Ritchie (11.52) and Donald MacKay (20.30).

In the Under 15 Girls race, over two and a half miles, Kirsty MacLarty ran consistently throughout to take the gold medal in 22min 2secs.  Lauren McNab had moved up an age group from last year and was rewarded with the Under 17 Trophy from her run of 15.41.  The Under 20 Womens Trophy went to Fiona Thompson with an improved run of 14.18. The Senior Womens race saw Ainsley Normand lift the trophy with some consistent running in 14.28.  Jane Waterhouse was the class act in the Veterans race taking the title for the eleventh consecutive year, with a run of 14.59.  Mary Kerr (16.42) showed significant improvement from last year in retaining her silver medal while Arlene Tunaley showed good form to take bronze (17.53). Julie Hay (21.55), Louise Harris (22.54) and Marie Beattie (22.55) all enhanced the race and guest Laura Dunn (Under 15) had a good run in 15.03.

The Under 15 Boys race saw a mature and improved run from Michael Gillespie, covering the two and a half miles in a superb 12mins19secs. Michael Wallace finished in 16.27 to take the silver medal but will undoubtedly improve from here. Guest runner Allan Ramsay also produced some fine running for 12.59.

Michael Wright continues to catch the catch the eye and followed up his superb win in the East District League race the previous week to take the Under 17 Mens title, over 4 miles, in 20.41 - the identical time to Alastair Hay's win of 2003. On this occasion Alastair Hay was lifting the Under 20 trophy with a classy run of 19.50 over the same course. Lewis Millar continues to produce solid performances on a consistent basis and on this occasion was rewarded with the Under 20 Mens silver in 21.54.

It was good to see Robert Russell supporting the Club Championships with a high quality run to take the Senior Mens title over the 4 miles course in 19.25.  Alex Milne has showed improved performances throughout the winter and he added to his medal collection with another silver in 21.16. Alan Hume was the bronze medal winner with a good run of 25.04.  Guest Duncan McGougan, Falkirk Victoria Harriers, again supported the event and completed the course in an improved 22.20. Steve Laing was another to show significant improvement in defending his Veterans Mens title in the fine time of 21.29.  Robert Hutchinson has also made progress as he showed in taking silver (23.43) while Derek Easton gave us an all to seldom glimpse of his running ability to take bronze in 24.44.  John Millar (26.02), Alan Gall (26.35), David Hay (27.51), Jim Drummond (31.04) and Robert Ball (34.34) all helped to make this a truly memorable day.

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Indoor League Fianl match. 7th February. The third round of the Young Athletes Indoor League saw continued excellent performances from many of Central Athletic Club's young athletes.

The Under 13 Boys held on to their first place in the league with Kyle Henderson showing excellent sprinting form and a personal best of 8.71secs for 60metres, some fine hurdling for 11.99secs in the 60metre hurdles and a 1.25metre high jump.  Martyn Paterson also had a good day with a 51.4sec timing over 300metres, a personal best 200metres of 30.2secs and a 3.88metre long jump. David Hutchinson rounded off the performances in this age group with a good run of 2min 43.9secs for the 800metres and a shot putt of 5.00metres.

Also completing the league series in first place were the Under 20 Women.  Elayne Henderson had a good day with 8.23secs for 60metres, 9.86secs for the sprint hurdles and a 5.42metre long jump. There were also fine performances from Fiona Chalmers with 2min 25.5secs for 800metres, a 27.4sec clocking for 200metres and a shot putt of 7.14metres.

The Under 17 Women competed with distinction, completing their league effort in third place. The final match in the series saw superb sprinting and hurdling from Natalie Doyle in 8.00 and 9.24secs respectively.  Sarah Hay ran an excellent 300metres in 43.0secs and Jennifer Campbell showed some of her all round ability with a 4.68metre long jump and 28.4sec 200metres. Linda McAdam helped boost the points total with performances in the Shot Putt (5.69metres) and 60metres in 8.87secs.

The Under 11Boys finished in fourth place overall. The final match saw solid performances from Ross Milne with an improved 2.07.6 for 600metres and 10.61secs for 60metres, while Conor Kerr showed good sprinting form for 10.21 for 60metres and a 600metres in 2.30.3.

The Under 11Girls also finished in 4^th place with contributions from Lisa Watson in the standing long jump and 10.87secs for the 60metres. Stephanie O'Neil had a great day out with a fast 2.09.1 for 600metres and the second fastest 60metre time of the day in this age group over 60metres (9.71).

The Under 13 Girls saw some useful performances from Rebecca Chroston in her debut for the Club with 9.58 for 60metres; 12.46 for 60metre hurdles and an excellent 1.25metre high jump.  Ellen Houston ran a useful 3.03.7 for 800metres while Rachel Mills had a good run in the 200metrs with 32.6secs and a 3.09metre long jump and Emma Chalmers contributed a 10.52secs 60metres and 3.75metre shot putt.

In the Under 15 Girls competition there were good performances from Dee Henderson (60metres in 8.96secs; 200metres in 30.8secs and 3.93 long jump), Amy Pearson (8.85 for 60metres and 2.42.3 for 800metres), while Jennifer Hutchinson ran a fine personal best of 10.57 for the 60metre hurdles. Gemma Milne rounded off performances in this age group with a personal best high jump of 1.25metres, a shot putt of 7.05metres and a 60metre hurdles of 12.66secs.

Stuart Chalmers was the lone Central athlete in the Under 17 Mens age group and he came away with a second place in the high jump with 1.65metres and 7.90secs for the 60metres.

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East of Scotland Cross country League. 7th Febraury. Stirling University. Some excellent individual wins and the league title for the Senior Ladies squad were the highlights for Central AC as they hosted the final match of the East of Scotland Cross Country League at Stirling University. Over 500 runners competed over the tough course at the back of the campus in deteriorating weather conditions, turning to a full-blown blizzard by the end of the afternoon’s programme.

In the senior ladies race Hazel Dean continued her fine form to take third place in 18m33s behind winner Liz McColgan. Fiona Thompson was tenth in 19m45s, Ainsley Normand in 14^th (20m13s) and Jane Waterhouse in 18^th place (20m 43s).  This second team win over the three meeting series clinched the league title, the first by any Central team since 1986, demonstrating great strength in depth in the female squad. Other athletes contributing to league points from earlier matches were Claire Waterhouse and Mary Kerr.

Senior men highlights came from Alistair Hay (below centre) taking third place (23m 50s) and first junior in probably his best senior race outing of the season. Robert Russell (on the left) had started off with a determined effort but dropped out in first place after losing a shoe. Alistair Anthony ran his usual quality race in 7^th place (24m 22s), Ewan Gault 14^th (24m 43s), Lewis Millar 33^rd (25m 42s) and Alex Milne 45^th (26m 14s) were other leading Central finishers.

Michael Wright returned to winning ways with a first class run in the under 17 age group with a time of 17m 5s. Stephen Guscott continues to improve 26^th in 19m 36s. In the under 15 age group Michael Gillespie just lost out on the run in to take second place in 10m 19s.

In the junior races, Matthew Gillespie (right) had a bit of tussle on his hands before pulling away to win the under 13 race by 50 metres in a time of 7m 25s. His younger brother Anthony battled to an excellent 14^th place (8m 31s), with William Bowers doing himself great credit by finishing 27^th in 9m 1s. In the girls race, Becky Hay finished 21^st in 9m 41s, Hilary Warkentin 28^th in 10m 16s and Claire Tunally 31^st in 10m 26s.

Pride of place for club turnout came in the under 11 age groups. The under 11 boys had another fine team performance, finishing second on the day and second in the league only to an outstanding group of boys from Falkirk Victoria Harriers. David Hutchison raced to his usual high standard to take 3^rd place in 6m 04s, whilst Martyn Paterson has demonstrated real improvement over the season to take sixth place in 6m14s. Ross Milne and Conor Kerr remain in the same age-group next year and can look forward to make further progress. They finished together in a group of three to be given 16^th and 18^th place in 6m 50s. Newcomers Logan Bonar and Kelly Carruthers finished in 22^nd and 27^th in 7m3s and 7m 10s. For the girls, Mairi Gillespie had an excellent run to take fourth place in 6m 45s followed in by a number of newcomers; Hannah O’Connor ( 26^th), Georgia Quin (28^th), Lisa Watson (33^rd), Morven Dean (35^th)and Sophie Gallacher (36^th).

Other Senior Men results; Phil Williams (84^th, 27m58s), Robert Hutchison (86^th, 27m 59s), Ian Beattie (120^th 29m14s), Roger Greenaway (138^th, 30m 03s), Alun Hume (139^th, 30m 6s), Cameron Campbell (140^th, 30m 6s), John Millar (162^nd, 31m 12s), David Hay (207^th, 34m26s), Jim Drummond (215^th, 36m 6s) and John Dickson (220^th, 38m 22s).

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