National Masters Cross country - Irvine 7th February

Central AC clinched another big title as their Master’s ladies team won National Masters Cross Country Championship at Irvine. Hazel Dean led the team home in fourth place overall as she took the individual W45 title.

Glorious and clear weather on firm footing amongst the dunes, provided a fast course as the ladies set out on their 6km. Hazel Dean had a race long battle with three others, notably Fiona Maxwell from Shettleston from her age group. However by the final run-in, Hazel had taken the lead and was able to put the gas to come home in fourth place in the race and clear of all her age-group contenders with a time of 25mins 7s. Next in was Ainsley Normand in her first outing after an injury lay-off and it was good to see her producing good form to come home in 12th place overall (26:02). Fiona Kelsall was the all-important third counter for the team as she came home in 19th place (27:32), winning her first ever national medal. Strength in depth was a further element as Katie Whitehouse made it  27th (28:26) and Polly Harrison in  38^th with 29:15.

In the men’s team few could contend with the pace of Kilbarchan’s Bobby Quinn as he won the race as the Central team had to be happy with a seventh team place and some good running from Phil Williams (47^th, 36:08), Alex Milne (49^th, 36:18), Steve Laing (58^th, 36.52), Liam McCabe (78^th, 38:11), David Hay (130^th, 43:23), John Dickson (165^th, 52:45) and Jim Drummond (167^th, 54:06).

3^rd Indoor League Match, Kelvin Hall, Glasgow 8^th February 2009

Central AC had an excellent days competition at the 3^rd and final indoor league match at the Kelvin Hall with 2 teams celebrating qualification for the final in March and the opportunity to be crowned Scottish League champions.

The under 17 women produced a superb all round performance to win the match and qualify comfortably for the final in second league place.  Star of the day was multi eventer Sarah Dick who produced 3 personal bests in events covering all the disciplines of running, jumping and throwing.  First off was a new club record 7.01m in the Shot to place 3^rd against a field with some top class specialist throwers.  She then cleared 1.50m in the High Jump to place 2^nd and rounded off a superb day breaking the 10s barrier in the 60m Hurdles with 9.98s to place 3^rd.  Sarah can now look forward to the Scottish Pentathlon championships next weekend having demonstrated she can compete with the best across a range of events.  Rachel Adamson was unchallenged as she raced to victory in the 800m in 2:29.1mins then produced a gritty run in the 300m (45.5s) to place 3^rd.  Louise Anderson was reliable as ever taking 2^nd place in the Long Jump (4.91m) and demonstrated an ability to take on the specialist sprinters placing 5^th in the 60m (8.65s) and 4^th in the 200m (28.8s).

Julie Cook ran an excellent seasons best 800m in 2:43.3mins to place 4^th followed closely by league debutante Heather Smillie (2:44.4mins).  Heather doubled up at 200m where she was joined by 2 other league newcomers Leila McLaren and Becky Thomson who all performed well.

The under 11 boys team of Aaron Furzer, Scott Fleming, Stewart MacNally, Rory Strachan, Robert Burns and Keiran Potter were also in fine form as they took second place in the league to book their place in the final.

The under 13 girls also performed well finishing the league just outside a qualifying position in an excellent 3^rd place.  Isla Burns set 2 personal bests with 1.30m in the High Jump to place 4^th and 9.72s in the 60m before contesting her first ever hurdles race.  Laura Clarke was also on personal best form in the 800m (2:48.8mins).  Eilidh Ironside (200m 33.2s), Jennifer Downie (60m 9.62s) and Ciara Harper (60m 10.17s, 200m 35.1s) sprinted well and Lisa Hardman (800m 3:00.0mins, Long Jump 2.97m) and Anna Clelland were also on form to help the team score well.

The under 11 girls team of Megan Ely, Bevhan Trevis, Helen Mitchell, and Matilda Williams-Kelly were also well placed.  Megan Ely produced a win in the standing Long Jump and 2^nd place in the 60m and Bevhan placed 3^rd in the 600m.  The girls finished in an excellent 4^th place in the league and were unfortunate to just miss out on the final.

The other age groups also produced excellent individual performances.  In the Under 17 mens category Sanju Siriwardenu is showing real potential ahead of next weeks Scottish championships.  He pushed all the way in the 60m just missing out on victory on the line but was rewarded with new personal bests of 7.61s to place 2^nd.  He then set another pb in the 200m (25.3s) to take 4^th.  Roddy Irvine produced his usual fine performances in the 800m (2:19.5mins) and 400m.

The under 15 boys were also in excellent sprint form with Billy Elliot (60m 8.00s, 200m 26.2s), Ryan Calder (60m 8.34s, 200m 28.3s), Alex Semple (60m hurdles 10.95s) and Carrick McLelland (60m 8.7s).  Ryan Calder and Alex Semple were also on good form in the Long Jump with 4.38m and 4.58m respectively.

The under 15 girls finished an excellent 5^th place in the league.  Sophie Brown won the High Jump in 1.55m and sprinted to 8.90s in the 60m.  Caitlin Watson (60m hurdles 11.65s, Long Jump 4.02m, High Jump 1.30m), Agatha Williams-Kelly (60m hurdles 11.02s, Long Jump 3.60m, High Jump 1.25m), Alex Harper (60m 9.41s, 200m 32.5s), Imogen Burnell (800m, 300m), Kirsty Forsyth (60m 9.52s, 200m 31.8s), Cairy McNeil (300m), Emily Greenan (800m), Jenna Cramb (60m 9.16s, 200m 31.3s), Aimee Bilsland (200m 32.5s, 300m) and Stacey Hardman (800m) all provided good points and made this the best represented age group.

The under 13 boys also did well with a personal bests for Calum Pressland (3^rd High Jump 1.25m, Shot 6.10m) and Michael McCabe who took a huge 16s from his 800m best in 2:58.1mins.  Good performances also came from Andrew MacNally (800m 2:34.8mins 3^rd place), Greg Downs (60m 9.72s, Long Jump 3.22m) and Lewis Strachan (200m 36.9s, High Jump 1.15m).

Overall the league was a great success for the club with a superb turnout and everyone enjoying the experience.

Scottish Indoor Age group athletics championships - 14^th & 15^th February 2009

Central AC athletes had 2 winners and 4 other medallists as the indoor season reached a climax at the weekend with the Scottish indoor age group championships at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow.

Performance of the weekend came from Tom Watson in the under 17 mens 800m.  Tom is unbeaten since his victory at last years Scottish outdoor championships in the under 15 age group and moving into the older under 17 age group has proved to be no obstacle as he surged to victory and the gold medal in a superb 2:01.32mins.  This time also breaks the Central AC senior record set by Ally Hay in 2001.  Ally has since gone on to be a Scottish senior internationalist and Tom looks every bit as capable as Ally was at the same age.

Our other winner was Kyle Henderson who fought 2 close battles in both the High Jump and Long Jump.  Kyle equalled his own club senior record to take gold in the High Jump with 1.90m.  With all 3 medallists clear at this height Kyle got the gold by the narrowest of margins by having fewer failures.  Kyle missed out by a similar narrow margin in the Long Jump taking a silver in a new club under 17 record 6.62m.

Kathryn Gillespie took part in the most incredible race of the weekend running 3 seconds faster than the Scottish record in the under 13 girls 800m only to lose on the photo finish to Myrtle Breckenridge of Shettleston Harriers.  The lead changed hands several times in the race and Kathryn to battled off the final bend but just lost out on the line.  She can take comfort from an excellent new indoor best 2:25.20mins and a silver medal.

Also taking silver medals were under 17 women Rachel Adamson and Louise Anderson.  While the winner was too strong for the rest of the field Central’s Rachel Adamson ran a fine race to come home in second place in 2:26.73mins.

Louise Anderson produced another excellent Long Jump display taking a silver in 5.10m, then narrowly missed out on a second medal in the Triple jump finishing 4^th in a new personal best of 10.41m.

The medal tally was rounded off by Sophie Brown who produced another excellent High Jump of 1.55m to take a bronze medal in the under 15 girls event.

Also on form but just outside the medals was Sarah Dick who ran a lifetime best 44.53s to take 5^th in the under 17 300m and was just outside her best in the 60m hurdles (10.03s).

The surprise performance from the weekend for Central though was Laura Clarke’s 6^th place in the under 13 girls Long Jump.  Laura, better known as an 800m runner decided to give Long Jump a go after some decent league performances and was rewarded with a big personal best of 3.89m.  Also reaching a Long Jump final was Alex Semple who placed 5^th in the under 15 boys event (4.83m).

Under 17 Sanju Siriwardenu (7.64s)and under 15 Billy Elliot were both on form in their 60m races reaching semi finals with 7.64s & 8.04s respectively.  Billy went on the place a respectable 9^th in the 200m (25.97s).  Lily Cairn-Haylor was unfortunate to miss out on the under 13 girls 60m hurdles final running a lifetime best of 11.11s which was an agonising 0.01s short of a qualifying time and Caitlin Watson also performed well in the under 15 girls Long Jump (4.31m) to place 11^th in a strong field of 30 athletes including several high class Irish competitors.

Central had a good turnout overall with good experience gained by Under 17s Julie Cook (800m 2:39.65mins), Stewart Ardrey (60m 7.79s), under 15s Agatha Williams-Kelly

National Cross Country Championships 21 February

Central Athletic Club had another ground-breaking day at the National Cross Country Championships as Alastair Hay took on the mantle of Scottish National Cross Country Champion and Central ladies won their first ever National team title. Overall the club achieved a quartet of individual awards and three team awards in the packed programme at Callander Park, Falkirk.

In terms of local interest  undoubtedly the best individual race was left till the last event of the day.  This was the Senior Men’s race held over a testing three lap 12 kilometre course and featuring a fine turnout of 26 Central  runners. Gargunnock’s Alastair Hay forced the early pace ensuring this was going to be a true endurance test.  By the second lap Alastair appeared to be struggling, losing some 40 to 50 metres on his rivals as Shettleston’s Tsegezab Woldemichael pushed on in the lead.  On the final lap Alastair again picked up the challenge closing on the Eritrean athlete with every stride and turning in to the finishing straight shoulder to shoulder with Woldemichael and Anglo Scot Tom Russell who had followed Alastair as they closed on the lead.  In an exciting sprint finish it was Hay and Russell battling all the way to the line with a final dip from Alastair just prevailing to ensure the Central athlete grasped the Gold medal with 37min 14secs with Russell second (37:15) and Woldemichael third (37:20).

The Team race was no less enthralling and while Shettleston Harriers were clear winners with 88 points it took some time to work out the minor medallists with Central Athletic Club, Hunters Bog Trotters and last year’s Champions Ron Hill Cambuslang Harriers all in the mix.  Central top six finishers of Alastair Hay (first), Ross Houston (18^th in 39:09), Alasdair Anthony (26^th in 39:36), Robert Russell (34^th in 40:05), Lewis Millar (42^nd in 40:44) and Robert Wiseman (57^th in 41:43) all ran brilliantly for a combined total of 178 points just holding off their rivals with the Bog Trotters achieving 180 points and Cambuslang 185 points respectively, a real case of every place counting.  Further top hundred runners were Michael Wright (80^th; 42.48) and Will Hensman (99^th; 43.59) with David Eiser also running well in 103^rd; 44.03.  Ewan Jack (118^th; 44.34), Phil Williams (134^th; 45.14); Steve Laing (156^th; 46.08), Alex Milne (173^rd, 46.48) and Robert Hutchison (195^th; 47.53) will all be pleased with their runs.  Liam McCabe (204^th; 48.23), Roger Greenaway (216^th; 48.42), Chris McHardy (233^rd; 49.22), Hugh Buchanan (252^nd; 49.55), Alan Hume (268^th; 50.47), Phil Hendry (313rd; 52.42), Cameron Campbell (331^st; 53.34), Alan Gall (359^th; 56.03), David Hay (362^nd; 56.09), John Millar (396; 60.39), Domenico Angiolini (402^nd, 62.09) and Jim Drummond (412th; 69.10) finished off Central’s challenge.

For the Senior ladies race, the top team prize was a great reward for some fine running. Bronze team medals in 2008 had been the best previous result by the club and with a weakening of the squad with the drop out of Morag MacLarty, this was always going to be tough one. However in a strong field, placings of 9^th, 13^th and 17^th for the team counters were more good than good enough to take the trophy ahead of  Edinburgh AC and Victoria Park City of Glasgow. Alison Docherty led in the team in over the 8 kilometre two lap race with a fine 9^th place in 29:53. Emma Waterhouse, then came through in 13^th (30:35) and Fiona Thompson was able to lift it one more place on the run in as she made it 17^th (30:54). A strong team performance followed, with Sarah Wiseman showing good form in 20^th place with 31:57,  Hazel Dean  24^th, 32:06, Jennifer Emsley 31^st, 32:39, Alayne Finlay 52^nd, 34:18,  Fiona Kelsall 55^th, 34:28, and Katie Whitehouse (68^th, 35:18) just pipping Isla Campbell (69^th, 35:18) on the line as they headed the home, all in the top half of the field of 142 finishers.

The Under 20 Mens Race held over the same 8 kilometre course  also saw some fine running by Central’s young athletes.  Scott McDonald challenged from the start and was rewarded with a Bronze medal, finishing is a superb third place with 25min 9secs.  Alex Hendry also worked hard throughout to finish fourth in 25min 31secs, while Sean Reilly came through strongly in 15^th to finish in 27min 36secs and Jonathon Tolson completed Central’s challenge to finish 43^rd in 33min 14secs ensuring Central lifted Bronze team medals behind Edinburgh University and Kilbarchan Athletic Club.

Andrew Butchart proved to be the pick of Central’s Under 17 athletes as he worked his way through the field to finish in an excellent fourth place with 23min 5secs over the 6,400 metre challenge.  Scott Green also looked strong as he came home ninth to finish in a tasty 23min 22secs.  David Hutchison (65^th; 29:47) and David Lindsay (66^th; 32.02) provided the back-up here as the Team finished eighth overall. 

The Under 15 athletes faced a 4,000 metre test and here it was Ross Milne who led home Central’s effort in 23^rd overall, clocking 14min 38secs.  Gordon Milne also stuck well to the task to finish 65^th in 16min 24secs and here it was Sam Fraser (78^th; 16:44) and Roddy Irvine (87^th; 17:24) who rounded off Central’s challenge to finish as ninth Team.  Central’s Under 13 Boys were led home by Domenic Angiolini as he finished 103^rd overall, covering the 3,200metre course in 15min 40secs.  Michael McCabe (110th; 16:09) and Philip Wright (121^st; 16:49) will both have learned much by competing at this level.

In the under 13 girls race over the same distance Central again gain some silverware. At the front of the race, a tremendous battle ensued between Central’s Kathryn Gillespie and Preston Harrier’s, Florie McLeish, who had travelled north to seek competition. After battling it out for the bulk of the race, Kathryn had to give way in the last half mile to be satisfied with the silver medal in 13:27. Kathryn’s disappointment had to be measured against the fact that she has another year in the age group.  Even better news followed as the girls learned they had won the team bronze awards. Roisin Bonnuchi had another strong run with 14^th place in 14:30. Laura Clarke improves with every race and here a 15:47 timing gave her 52^nd and a place on the podium, with Tara Wells making it 63^rd in 16:14 followed in by Roanna Fraser, (66^th, 16:20), Emily Greenan (70^th, 16.24) and Lisa Hardman (76^th, 16:28), all doing well in another large field of runners.

The under 15 girls race had Rachel Adamson well to the fore from the off, and she was able to give a good account with a fine 9^th place in 15:56, with Kirsty Buchanan next in 53^rd with 17:32, followed shortly by Imogen Burnell 56^th, 17:43, Molly Tweedle 61^st, 17:53, Amy Hendry 70^th, 18:13,  Stacey Hardman 81^st, 18:46. In the course of the race both Julie Cook and Cairy McNeil came to grief with falls and had to drop out, but despite this the girls took fifth place overall. Just one under 17, Catriona Buchanan who took 39^th place  in  18:57, and under 20, Kayleigh McGurk (55^th in 20:39)  represented Central in the combined under 17/under 20 race, with their contributions showing in the overall female team awards for clubs with runners in all races, with Central taking second spot in the Pat Spence trophy.

Scottish Indoor Pentathlon Championships

Kelvin Hall, 21^st & 22^nd February 2009

Lily Cairns-Haylor was celebrating her first ever national medal after the Scottish Indoor Pentathlon championships held at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow.  The 12 year old from Bridge of Allan took a bronze in the under 13 age group with a new personal best score of 1825 points.

After a decent start in the Long Jump (3.48m) Lily raced to a new personal best in the 60m hurdles (10.79s).  Her excellent form continued into the High Jump where she cleared 1.32m to lift her into 3^rd place.  Another personal best in the shot was not enough to prevent her slipping to 4^th position, however a fast final lap in the 800m took her far enough ahead of her opponents to regain 3^rd spot and the bronze medal at the finish.

Lily joined Central AC in 2007 from the Run, Jump & Throw club run by the council.  Many of the athletes who came through Run, Jump and Throw made a significant contribution to the club’s recent success at the Scottish indoor league and Lily is now the first recruit from the program to medal at a Scottish Championships event.

Lily is also a keen hockey player at Beaconhurst Grange but hopes to be able to concentrate on her athletics once the hockey season is over.

Also on form was Alloa girl, Sarah Dick who set a personal best in every event to place 5^th in the under 17 women’s event.  Sarah opened well throwing a new club record 7.23m in the shot then won her 60m hurdles heat impressively in 9.82s.  Further improvements the High Jump (1.51m), Long Jump (4.02m) and 800m (2:58.18mins) saw Sarah smash her previous best by 500 points to set a new club record score of 2422 points.

In the under 15 age group Alex Semple, Caitlin Watson and Agatha Williams-Kelly all had the difficult transition from the under 13 age group to deal with but still performed well.  Alex, last years outdoor Scottish under 13 champion, produced personal bests in the High Jump (1.50m), 60m hurdles (10.59s) and 800m (2:22.73mins) to place a respectable 7^th place in a new best score of 1789 points.  In the girls event Caitlin Watson threw a personal bests 7.02m in the Shot and jumped well with a 1.33m High Jump and 4.24m Long Jump on the way to scoring 1886 points for 13^th place, closely followed by Agatha Williams-Kelly who also set a new shot best (6.89m) and had a strong hurdles display (10.80s) to record a new personal best score of 1696 points for 15^th.  Rounding off the Central AC contingent was 11 year old Isla Burns who enjoyed her first ever pentathlon outing with a personal best in the hurdles (12.73s) and another good High Jump display (1.26m) to score 1290 points placing 11^th in the under 13 girls event.

Junior Cross Country Series Final - – 28 February 2009

The final race of Central Athletic Club’s Junior Cross Country Season was held on Saturday 28 February in excellent conditions in Kings Park, Stirling with a superb turnout of 25 youngsters.

Sam Fraser once again led the field home with a fine victory, covering the one mile course in 5min 25secs to lift the Under 15 Boys Series Title.  Roisin Bonucchi always looked in command in the Girls Race, coming home in a tasty 5min 29secs to complete a clean sweep in the Under 13 Girls Series.  Indeed it was the Under 13 Girls Series that had proven the most competitive and here it was Emily Greenan who came through as second Under 13 Girl on the day (5.32) and in the Series.  Tara Walls continues to improve and ran well to finish in 5.41 but it was Laura Clark who finished third in the Series with another consistent run (5.48).  Lisa Hardman (6.06), Farren Parkins (6.07) and Erin Gallagher (6.28) underlined the Club’s strength in depth in this age group while Megan McKenzie (10.03) performed well in her first appearance.

Jack Kerr has performed well throughout the Series and once again won the Under 11 Boys Race in fourth overall (5.38) to lift the Series title with a perfect record.  Kieran Potter is a welcome addition to the Club, finishing in 6min 1sec, with Scott Fleming a few strides behind (6.03).  Ailig Struthers ran strongly to finish in 6.10 but it was Liam McGregor who showed consistency to take second place in the Series, finishing here in 6min 30secs and showing further progress.  Rory Watson made his first appearance to finish strongly in 6min 42secs.  Bevan Trevis has competed well in the Series and here won the Under 11 Girls Race in a tasty 5min 56secs, also lifting first place in the Series.  Beth Gallagher showed her competitive edge to come home second Under 11 Girl on the day (6.09) with Jennifer Downie in third (6.20), sufficient to ensure second place in the Series.  Helen Mitchell also completed the course well with a strong run in 6min 34secs.  Under 15 Girl, Stacey Hardman, had a useful run to finish in 5min 55secs.

Domenic Angiolini proved to be the best of the Under 13 Boys coming home in 5.53 and lifting the Series title in this age group while Michael McCabe’s second place, ith a useful 5.57,was rewarded with second place in the Series.  Lewis Sinclair was another to make his debut here, coming home in 7.37.  Under 9 Boys Ross Downie (7min 16secs) and Liam Mathers (8.05) should both be proud of their performances.