5 and 6 February 2005

There was a superb turnout of Central Athletic Club athletes at both the Bank of Scotland Indoor Age Group Championships in Glasgow and the East District Cross Country League at Corstorphine on the weekend of 5^th and 6^th February.

Indoor Track & Field

If there had been an award for Athlete of the Match at the Under 13/Under 15 Indoor Championships then Kyle Henderson would have been the obvious choice. Kyle was dominant in his three events taking Gold in the Shot Putt (9.40 metres); High Jump (1.50 metres) and 60 metres hurdles (10.39 secs). Indeed Kyle’s Shot Putt and his performance in the hurdles heat (9.87 secs) were both Scottish age groups records while his High Jump performance was a new personal best.

Elsewhere Martyn Paterson underlined his sprinting speed with silver in the 60 metres (8.53 secs), having battled his way through with victories in the heats and semi-finals. Martyn also showed fine form in the Long Jump with a leap of 4.22 metres and 200 metres with 28.95secs (heat 28.91), just missing out on medals with fourth place in both events. Jack Dawson continues to compete well in this age group with a 9.65 secs run in the 60 metres.

Ryan Stewart was the Club’s sole representative in the Under 15 Boys competition achieving a fine 11.82metre Shot Putt in fourth place. In the Under 15 Girls age group Hilary Warkentin equalled her High Jump best with 1.40 metres but finished out of the medals on this occasion.  Hilary also contested the 800 metres heats with a time of 2.37.35.  Jennifer Hutchison continued to show good form in the sprint hurdles with a highly competent 10.35 seconds in her heat. Dee Henderson finished second in her 200 metres heat (28.99) and contested the ‘C’ final, finishing fourth in 29.08 while her Shot Putt effort of 6.63 metres left her out of the medals.  Lynn Harvey had a busy day with a 8.57 seconds clocking in her 60 metres heat and 8.59 secs in the semi final followed by a Long Jump effort of 4.43 metres.

In the Under 17/Under 20 Indoor Championships Karen McClymont won the Under 17 Triple Jump with a superb new personal best of 10.97 metres.  Karen had to dig deep into her reserves to take gold with the competition lead having changed some five times during the event.  Karen was also close to the medals in the Long Jump with a best of 4.93 metres.  Luke Stokes was another to shine on the day taking the bronze medal in the 1500 metres in the Under 20 Mens category in a time of 4.20.04.  Luke also ran well in the 800 metres to record a time of 2.02.77 in his heat.  Elayne Henderson just missed out on a medal in the Under 20 Womens Long Jump, finishing with a best of 5.33 metres.  Elayne also competed strongly in the Shot Putt (9.62 metres) and rounded off her day with an 8.18 seconds clocking in the 60 metres.  Sarah Hay ran well to progress to the final of the Under 20 Womens 400 metres (61.44 in the heat) but found the poor lane draw in the final just too much to produce the same performance.

East District Cross Country League

The final East District Cross Country League Match was held in bright sunshine over a tough course on Corstorphine Hill, Edinburgh.  A superb turnout of Central Athletic Club athletes brought unprecedented team performances with League victories for the Under 11 Boys and Senior Women and runner up spots for the Under 13 Girls and Senior Men. There were also fine individual victories for Roddy Irvine and Matthew and Michael Gillespie.

The Under 11 Girls race saw a fine debut performance for Kathryn Gillespie who ran hard all the way over the 1500 metre course to finish in fourth spot (5min 45secs). The Under 11 Boys race provided the platform for Central’s young athletes to show their best form of the season, moving through from second to first in the league. Roddy Irvine led the charge with first in 5.22, ably backed up by Ross Milne (fourth in 5.33), Conor Kerr (7^th in 5.45), Logan Bonar (12^th in 5.45), Matthew Mills (17^th in 5.48) and Kelly Carruthers in his first race following injury (58^th in 7.21).

The Under 13 Girls race was well supported by the Club with excellent runs from all. Eilidh Hargreaves proved the Club’s top counter in eighth place, covering the 3,000 metre course in 12.51. Becky Hay also showed her fighting qualities for 10^th in 13.02 while Kate Morris ran well throughout to finish 15^th in 13.32. Fiona Cameron had had an improved run for 17^th in 13.33, while Catriona Buchanan (20^th in 13.42), Anna Jamieson (22^nd in 13.46), Claire Tunaley (28^th in 14.15), Jennifer Kean (30^th in 14.25) and Dawn Kerr (38^th in 15.04) all played their part in a fine team performance in second place.

The Under 13 Boys also showed improved performances with Chris Clarke leading the team home in eleventh place.  David Hutchison came through well in twelfth while Alan Bennie produced a fine run following a morning rugby match for thirteenth.  Sandy MacLarty was another athlete who showed fine determination finishing 41^st on this occasion.

The Under 15 Girls missed Rachel Hunter but Gemma Milne (24^th in 21.20) and Kirsty MacLarty (27^th in 24.13) both showed improved performances over a tough 4,100 metre course.  Matthew Gillespie and Sean Reilly were the only Club athletes who contested the Under 15 Boys Race over the same course, coming home with superb first and second places in 14.05 and 14.42 respectively.  While Matthew continues to dominate East District races in this age group this was a magnificent breakthrough for Sean who committed himself early in the race and fought all the way for his deserved second place.

As with his younger brother the Club almost expects Michael Gillespie to take victory in the Under 17 age group.  Michael underlined his growing confidence and ability by moving to the front early in this race and then moving away from his rivals over the tough two lap 6,400 metre course to win in 21.24.  Graham Harvey was another of the Club’s athletes to show improved form in taking twelfth place in 24.36.

The Senior Women race saw the Club defending their league title and, on the day, proved they had the right blend to do the job.  It was Hazel Dean who led her team home with an excellent second place in 24.22 over the 6,400 metre course, while Claire Waterhouse (9^th in 25.35), Ainsley Normand (11^th in 25.59) and Jane Waterhouse (26^th in 27.29) provided both superb and necessary back-up. It is testament to the coaching of Derek Easton that all the ladies made light work of the tough Corstorphine Hill course and Gillian Gilvear (48^th in 29.55); 60th Mary Kerr (60^th in 32.56), Julie Hay (73^rd in 38.13) and Louise Harris (74^th in 40.20) all did the Club proud as they strode into first team place on the day and first overall.

The Senior Mens race was contested over 3 laps of the course making a gruelling 9,600 metre test and it was Alasdair Anthony who led the Club home to second place overall with an individual fourth place in 31.40. John Burke had another steady run for seventh in 32.02 and Ross Houston came through for a fine 14^th place in 32.02. Alex Milne wore his first ‘veterans’ vest with pride finishing 31st in 34.28 while Michael Wright (36^th in 34.46), Steve Laing (38^th in 34.47), Murray MacLarty (45^th in 35.11) and Lewis Millar (56^th in 36.05) all provided good team points.  The were also fine runs from Alan Hume (71^st in 36.07), Phil Williams (74^th in 36.17), Robert Hutchison (89^th in 36.56), Allister Hargreaves (141^st in 40.46), Cameron Campbell (154^th in 41.23), John Millar (163^rd in 42.00), Hugh Kerr (165^th in 42.02), Steve McNally (167^th in 42.18), Hugh Buchanan (174^th in 42.59), David Hay (189^th in 44.10), Jim Drummond (227^th in 48.50) and John Dickson (232rd in 50.31) rounded off the Club’s effort.

Forthcoming Events

The action now moves to the Indoor Combined Events Championships at the Kelvin Hall next weekend and the Club’s Cross Country Championships at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane with the first race at 12.45pm on Saturday 12^th February – a good turnout of the Club’s athletes is anticipated and guests are welcome.

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Cross Country Championships 12^th February 2005. - Dunblane

There was a good turnout of hardy athletes at Central Athletic Clubs Annual Cross Country held at Queen Victoria School on Saturday. It was a wet and muddy course that provided the challenge but the weather relented for a while and the races were contested under blue skies.

The Under 11 joint Girls and Boys race over 1.25 miles saw a ding dong battle for the medals with Roddy Irvine’s fast finish just prevailing to take the title in 7mins 13 secs, closely pursued by gutsy runs from Robbie and Callum Gathergood in 7.14 and 7.15 respectively.  Ross Milne, who has run well all season, had to settle for fourth on this occasion finishing in 7.20, a whisker ahead of the improving Conor Kerr who achieved the same time. Matthew Mills also showed that he is one to watch for the future with a highly competitive run in 7.28.  Neil Cameron (8.12), Kelly Carruthers (8.16) and Gordon Milne (8.56) all had decent runs to show the Club is underpinned by a number of talented athletes.

The Under 11 Girls race was a runaway victory for the youngest athlete as Kathyrn Gillespie underlined her promise with a fine run in 7 mins 34 secs.  Lisa Watson showed good form to come home in 8.59 and it was good to see Shona Buchanan taking bronze in 9.31, while Megan Thomson also conquered the underfoot conditions to finish in 10.25.

Anthony Gillespie set off quickly from the start of the combined Under 13 Boys and Girls race and just kept extending his lead as he came in a fine 9mins 30secs over the 1.75 mile course.  David Hutchison finished well to record a time of 9.52 while Sandy MacLarty had another very able run to take the bronze medal.  Lorna Cameron has been vying with the best in Scotland all season and it was no surprise to see her take the Under 13 Girls title by a comfortable margin, finishing in 9.53.  Becky Hay and Mairi Gillespie fought together for most of the course and it was Becky who prevailed this time in 10.41 with Mairi finishing in 10.46.  Catriona Buchanan had an improved run in fouth (11.00) while Rachel Mills moved up somewhat in distance to record a fine 11.08. It was good to see a big turnout from this age group and good runs were recorded by Georgia Quin (11.39), Fiona Cameron (11.44), Ellen Houston (11.52), Claire Tunnaley (1204), Ashley Smith (12.11), Jennifer Kean (12.28), Dawn Kerr (13.118) and Jemma Stevens (13.59).

The Under 15 Boys and Girls ran with the Under 20 Women and the Senior and Masters Women over 2.5 miles.  This pitted the improving Sean Reilly against Commonwealth Youth Games Champion Morag MacLarty. Morag underpinned her reputation by taking the race and the Under 20 Womens title in 13mins 22secs with Sean lifting the Under 15 Boys trophy just a few strides behind in 13.25.  Rachel Hunter lifted the Under 15 Girls title with a controlled run for 16.17 but was pushed all the way by Jennifer Hutchison gritty run of 16.27. Gemma Milne is another to be showing improved form and her determination paid off to take bronze in 17.38 and it was good to see Kirsty MacLarty working well throughout the race.  Ainsley Normand lifted the Senior Womens title with an assured run of 14.24 while it was Mary Kerr who came through in fine style to win the Masters race in 17.57. Andrina Buchanan was a useful addition to the race with a fine 18.38 for silver while Jane Milne made an all to seldom foray in to competitive running to take bronze in 19.23.  Julie Hay, Helen Campbell and Helen MacLarty may have taken the minor places on this occasion but all demonstrated the fighting spirit that is holding the Club in such high regard at present.

The Under 17 Mens race was held along with the Under 20, Senior and Masters Men races over 4 miles and produced an excellent race to the line. A bunch of Alex Milne, Murray MacLarty, Lewis Millar and Steve Laing swapped the lead for much of the race and it took a determined run for Alex, the youngest ‘veteran’ on show, to win the race and lift the Masters title in 21mins 30secs. Murray MacLarty came home in second overall (21.38) to be rewarded with the Under 20 Mens trophy and it was Lewis Millar’s speed which just prevailed in the run in with Steve Laing, both recording 21.40 and Lewis lifting the Senior Mens crown while Steve had to settle for Masters silver.  Graham Harvey, in taking the Under 17’s Men title, will have better runs for less reward finishing in 25.36.  Martin Crawford moved up considerably in distance to take silver in the Senior Mens race in 22.47 while Alan Hume was rewarded with the bronze medal for his run of 23.08. The remaining Seniors, Ian Beattie (24.31), Gordon McNeil (27.24) and Richard Coombs (27.39) all finished the course in fine style.

Robert Hutchison has had some good runs for the Club this year and competed well once again to take bronze in the Masters. Others to show good form were Hugh Buchanan (25.20), Cameron Campbell (25.42), Steve McNally (25.49),  Hugh Kerr (25.57), John Millar (26.10), Allan Gall (26.36), David Hay (27.12) and Bill Gault (28.26).  With determined racing throughout the field there was a good tussle at the rear of the field with Jim Drummond just persevering in this instance ensuring Tony Quin was unable to bring his blistering sprint finish into play.

Full results...

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NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS - 19 FEBRUARY 2005 – BEACH PARK, IRVINE

With three individual national titles and four sets of team medals Central Athletic Club’s endurance coaches Derek Easton and Mandy Gillespie can be justifiably proud of their young athletes.  On a day of non-stop action over a tough windswept course at the Scottish National Cross Country Championships held at Beach Park, Irvine there was something for Central’s supporters to cheer in every race. The best however was kept to last as Robert Russell (left) swept to an emphatic victory in the Senior Mens race over 12,000metres in 40minutes 12seconds to add the WH Dunlop trophy to his expanding trophy cabinet. In the leading bunch from the start Robert had his rivals cut to three as he entered the final 4,000metre lap and with relentless pressure moved away to take the title by a 100metre winning margin.  Aged 22, Robert is the youngest athlete since Nat Muir in 1979 to take the Senior Mens Cross Country title and only the second athlete ever to win this and the 4km National Cross Country title in the same year.

Earlier in the day Matthew Gillespie (right) ran to a superb victory in the Under 15 Boys National Cross Country in a race over one lap of the 4000metre course. Matthew, in his first year in this age group and having nursed a cold all week, looked every inch a champion as he used his maturing endurance ability to lift the John D Semple Cup in an excellent 14min 6secs.  Central Athletic Club’s supporters were also treated to a front running victory from Morag MacLarty as she left her rivals struggling in her wake winning the Gunstone Millennium trophy in the Under 20 Womens race with a time of 18mins 55secs for the 4800metre course.  Morag was ably backed up by high quality runs from Jennifer Emsley (fourth in 20.22) and Fiona Thompson (fifth in 20.35) to take Gold medals for Central in the Under 20 Womens Team event.  Rowena Bell-Scott, competing in the Under 17 Womens race over the same 4800metres course, showed that she will be a useful addition to the Under 20 team for next year with a good run for seventh place in 21.50.

The Under 13 Boys race kicked off proceedings at the Beach Park and kicked off the first of the Club’s successes. The Under 13 team of Anthony Gillespie (8th in 13.11), Alan Bennie (26th in 14.05), David Hutchison (34^th in 14.29) and Roddy Irvine (40^th in 14.44) were rewarded with the Team Bronze medals for excellent runs over 3,200metres, while Ross Milne (53^rd in 15.06) moving up in both age group and distance to compete in this event proved to be more than useful back up.

From having no Under 13 Girls in 2004 to Team Silver medalists in 2005 was a massive step forward for the Club and it was testament to fine runs from Lorna Cameron (6^th in 13.52), Mairi Gillespie (18^th in 14.47), Becky Hay (28^th in 15.18) and Kate Morris (50^th in 15.47) that Central took the medals. Again good running by Claire Tunaley (74^th in 16.47) provided the necessary back-up.

Not only did Central provide the winner in the Under 15 Boys race but Sean Reilly underlined his improved form with another fine run for 11^th in 15.04, with another year in this age group it will be interesting to see how far Sean can progress in the next 12 months.

Stirling Secondary Schools Cross Country winner Rachel Hunter was the Club’s sole representative in the Under 15 Girls race over 4000 metres.  Rachel has been struggling to shake off a virus but still produced a fine committed run to come home in 45^th in 19.06.

First year Under 17 and Celtic International Cross Country winner Michael Gillespie was just a little off his normal high quality form and had to settle for fourth taking 24minutes exactly to cover the 4800metre course while Graham Harvey (46^th in 29.19) continues to make progress in this age group.

Alastair Hay made the Under 20 Mens race over 8000metres his first competitive run since returning from injury and ran well for fourth place in 28.17.  In his first Under 20 year Michael Wright came through well for 14^th in 30.31 and Murray MacLarty also continues to show improved form for 16^th in 30.39.

The final set of medals for Central’s athletes went to fine runs by the Senior Womens Team of Toni McIntosh (7^th in 32.57), Hazel Dean (16^th in 33.47) and Emma Waterhouse (22^nd 34.47). Indeed with better placings than last year for Toni and Hazel and an improved run for Emma these were excellent performances over the 8000 metre course.  Ainsley Normand had reason to be happy with her run for 27^th in 35.09 while Claire Waterhouse was a little off her best form when finishing in 35^th in 36.30.

As mentioned in the opening paragraph Robert Russell has much to be pleased about especially improving from 14^th place in 2004 to lift Gold this time round. The 12000metre Senior Mens race also saw Alasdair Anthony improve by some 26 places to come home in 24^th (43.26) while Ross Houston also halved his finishing position from 2004 to 34^th in 44.09. Alex Milne made light of his newly acquired Veterans status by improving some 14 places to 84^th in 47.00 while an improved run from Steve Laing (90^th in 47.19) and Lewis Millar (120^th in 49.09) completed Central's Team scoring which saw the Club repeat their sixth team finish from 2004. Alan Hume (126^th in 49.32), Phil Williams (131st in 49.42), Ian Beattie (142^nd in 50.09) and Robert Hutchinson (150^th in 50.33) all had more than useful runs. It was also good to see Allister Hargeaves (261^st in 54.39), Ewan Bell-Scott (264^th in 54.45), Cameron Campbell (288 in 55.54),Alan Gall (321^st in 58.03), David Hay (330^th in 58.51), John Millar (331 in 58.58) and Jim Drummond (362 in 63.22), supporting the Club with gritty performances.

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YOUNG ATHLETES INDOOR LEAGUE, KELVIN HALL - 20 FEBRUARY 2005

The Club’s athletes performed with distinction at the Kelvin Hall on Sunday 20^th February at the second of the young athletes Indoor League meetings.

In the Under 11 Girls events Lisa Watson had a useful run in the 60metres, finishing in 10.17 while Megan Thomson, in her first competitive appearance for the Club, performed well in the 600metres in 2min 30secs and a 1.52metre standing long jump.   The Under 11 Boys events saw determined runs by Matthew Mills and Gordon Milne in the 60metres with Matthew finishing second in the ‘A’ race in 9.56secs and Gordon third in the ‘B’ race in an improved 10.44secs.  Conor Kerr was never headed as he sped round to a fine victory in a personal best ‘A’ 600metres (2.00.6) while Neil Cameron also had an excellent front running performance to take the ‘B’ event in an improved 2.04. Neil also improved his standing long jump to 1.87metres and Matthew Mills jumped to a fine 1.82metres.

Jennifer Kean came through for second in the Under 13 Girls 60metres in a personal best of 9.04seconds and also ran strongly for a 30.7secs personal best for second in the 200metres. Rachel Mills continues to impress in this age group winning the 60metre hurdles in 12.39secs.  Lorna Cameron looked as though the previous days sixth place in the National Cross Country had had little effect as she unleashed an impressive finish to win the 800metres in 2.35.1. Lorna also performed well in the Shot Putt with 4.74metres while Fiona Cameron again covered Long Jump duties.  The Under 13 Boys ‘A’ Team, missing the talismanic Kyle Henderson, again came through well with some impressive performances.  Martyn Paterson won the 60metres in 8.68secs and the long jump in an improved 4.46metres but had to settle for third in the 200metres (29.7secs). David Hutchison again produced useful performances with a 2.39.9 800metres and a 5.51metre shot putt. Roddy Irvine stepped up to the ‘A’ team and provided fine performances with a personal best 46.8secs for second in the 300metres and a 1.25metre high jump.  The ‘B’ Team were also showing good form with Jack Dawson 60metres in 9.30, 200metres in 33.1 and Long Jump of 2.70metres; Chris Clarke with a personal best of 2.39.8 in the 800 metres; Ruairidh McLaughlin also with a personal best of 49.8secs in the 300 metres and Ross Milne, another to provide a fine new personal best, with 6.07metres for second in the shot putt. James Stevenson was another to produce useful performances with a 9.71/34.4, 100/200 double.

The Club’s Under 15 Girls are maturing well and looked good competitors throughout.  Lynn Harvey won her heat of the 60metres in 8.47seconds and produced an excellent 4.44metre long jump. Dee Henderson looked an improved runner in her 200metre heat but had to settle for second in 29.2seconds. Jennifer Hutchison was another to show fine style, this time over 60metre hurdles, but also came second in 10.08seconds in a very competitive race for the line. Gemma Milne continues to produce true grit performances with an excellent 800metres in 2.46.9 and a 7.12metre shot putt. Jemma Stevens rounded off the Under 15 Girls ‘A’ team performances with a fine 1.20metre clearance.  Amber Stevens looked in fine form with a 31.3 clocking in the 200metres followed by a useful personal best long jump of 4.07metresand a 5.29 shot putt. Ashley Smith weighed in with an excellent 30.2seconds 200metres clocking.  The Under 15 Boys were again represented by Ryan Stewart with second spot in the shot putt with an excellent performance of 10.61metres.

Amy Pearson and Linda MacAdam made up the Under 17 Ladies team.  Amy had a good run in the 60metres with 8.91seconds and came home third in her 300metres run while Linda advanced her shot putt best to 6.27metres and ran 30.0secs for the 200metres.

The Under 20 Women were also a two person team with Sarah Hay competing well in the 60metres for third in 8.61seconds. Elayne Henderson looked close to her best as she won the 60metres hurdles with 9.59secs and the triple jump with 11.24metres. Elayne’s high jump of 1.66metres proved to be a personal best and her shot putt of 9.08metres looked very impressive.

The Club is indebted to the hard work over the weekend from Team Managers David Hay, Jane Waterhouse, Margaret Taylor and Gordon Paterson and a full day’s track officiating from John Dickson and Gordon McNeil.