Scottish Junior Road Race Championships. North Inch, Perth on Sunday 3 October. Central Athletic Club's young athletes again performed with distinction  with medals in all age groups.

The Club Under 13 Girls set out in determined style with 8 athletes prepared to tackle the 2400metre course.  Lorna Cameron led home the Club’s effort with a confident run for 9^th place in 9min 12secs. Becky Hay and Mairi Gillespie also showed improvement as they finished in 18^th (9.38) and 20^th (9.41) to ensure the Club went home with deserved Under 13 Girls Team silver medals. It was good to see excellent back-up from Kate Morris (24^th in 9.55), Claire Tunaley (33^rd in 10.26), Jennifer Kean (35^th in 10.36), Fiona Cameron (41^st in 10.51) and Amber Stevens (46^th in 11.06).

David Hutchison, who was the sole Club representative in the Under 13 Boys race, continues to show improvement and finished in an excellent 21^st place in 9.09 over the 2400metre course.

Matthew Gillespie had to dig deep to take a classy and well deserved win in the Under 15 Boys Road Race, completing the 4,800metres in an excellent 15min 12secs, to win the most closely contested race of the day by a slim 3 seconds.  Sean Reilly worked determinedly throughout the race for a fine 19^th place in 17.20, a time many adults would be proud to run.

The Under 17’s Womens race, also over 4,800metres, was completed by Rowena Bell-Scott, another showing excellent stamina and determination, in 18min 55secs.

Michael Gillespie underlined the vagaries of the Sport moving from 7^th Under 15 Boy in 2003 to a superb Silver medal placing in the Under 17 Mens race in 2004. Michael completed the 4,800metre run in the superb time of 14min 55secs.

The Under 20 Mens and Womens races were run jointly over a 7,200metre course and it was Alastair Hay who caught the eye at the front of the Under 20 Mens race.  Alastair repeated his Silver medal finish from 2003 with Michael Wright and Murray MacLarty providing the back-up on this occasion as the Club stormed to another set of Team Silver medals.

Morag MacLarty celebrated her Junior Great North Mile victory from the previous week with an excellent winning run in the Under 20 Womens Race. Indeed this was a triple celebration for Morag, having her selection recently confirmed for the Scottish Team in the 1500metres at the Commonwealth Games Youth Games to be held in Bendigo, Australia at the end of November.  Stirling University athlete Jennifer Emsley, had a solid run for Silver in this race.

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REEBOK INTERNATIONAL RACES, FALKIRK. SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER 2004. The Cross Country Season started in Callendar Park, Falkirk on Saturday 9 October with the first of the prestigious Reebok 2004-2005 Series of International Cross Country Races. These races were a little early in the Season for many of Central's athletes, however those that did take part competed with distinction.

Sean Reilly had a good competitive run in the Under 15 Boys race, completing the 4 kilometre course in a highly commendable 14min 20secs for 20^th place overall (10^th Scot).

The Senior and Under 20 Women ran together over a 6.4kilometre course. Toni McIntosh was in good form as she came through for eighth place in 26min 24secs.  Jane McCrorie also ran strongly throughout for an excellent 16^th place in 27.55.

The Senior/Junior Mens race, over 9.6kilometres saw Alastair Hay again producing a good competitive run as he came through for fifth Under 20 and 13th overall in 32.58.  John Burke showed that he is regaining his form as he finished 17^th in 33.10. Alex Milne had a steady run for 41^st in 37.04 but will undoubtedly have better days as the season progresses.  Robert Hutchison looked to be in good form as he came through for a deserved 45^th in 39.29.

A local Secondary School's race preceded the Reebok races and this saw an excellent turn out from Alva Academy thanks to the efforts of Gordon McNeil. Central’s athletes were in prominent places in the Girls race where Alva’s Lorna Cameron appeared to float over the tough 2.7kilometre course as she came home in first place.  Rachel Hunter (Dunblane HS) gained good experience in this race running strongly for second, while Hilary Warkentin (Alva) made an all too seldom excursion into cross country with third.  David Hutchinson caught the eye in the Boys race, finishing in an excellent sixth place.

There were other fine runs over the 2.7 kilometre course from Dawn Kerr 12^th in 15.31, Jennifer Kean (13^th/15.56), Kelly Natella, Ashley Smith and Amber Stevens who finished 14^th, 15^th and 16^th in a blanket finish in16.17.  Ciara Callan also stuck well to her task, finishing 17^th in 17.17, followed closely by Fiona Cameron (18^th/17.20) and Kelly Anne Carmichael (22^nd/22.50).

It was Alva Academy athletes who came first and second in the Boys race through David Kene (11.27) and Scott MacDonald (11.34).  Stirling High's David Hutchinson finished in an excellent sixth place in (12.46) while Scott Green from Alva (8^th in 13.07) and Gordon McCreath, Dunblane HS (14^th in 14.10) will both have gained excellent experience in a good quality race.

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Three of Central’s athletes competed for Scotland in the Junior Home Countries Hill Running International in Keswick on Sunday 10 October. Matthew Gillespie had yet another superb run to win the Under 14 race over 2.7 kilometres. Older brother Michael also had a high class run as he came home third in the Under 16 race over a tough 4 kilometre course.  Jennifer Emsley was the only Scot in the Under18 race over 6.9 kilometres again doing both Scotland and Central AC well with a fine fourth place.

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EAST DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS -16 October 2004 – KELSO. Endurance coach Derek Easton’s prediction of Gold Medals for the Ladies and Mens Teams at the East District Cross Country Relay Championships proved to be powerful motivation for both teams, and it was a happy contingent that made its way home from the Borders with both trophies and the gold medals.

The races, held in the dramatic setting of Floors Castle Grounds near Kelso on 16 October, were over tough 4 kilometre relay legs, the course made more difficult by a week of heavy rain.  Central Athletic Club fielded two Ladies teams with the 'A' Team’s first leg runner Hazel Dean bringing the team round in third place in 15mins 54secs  following a well judged leg. Karen Montador, making a welcome return to racing, looked to have lost none of her undoubted talent as she swept to the front of the field on the second leg with a fine run of 15.14. Toni McIntosh was another to underline her talent as she kept her concentration on the final leg with the second fastest time of the day (15.06) to lift the winners medals.  Central AC therefore retained the Womens trophy from 2003, amazingly, with three different athletes.

There was also some fine performances from Central’s Ladies ‘B’ team runners with Fiona Thompson (15.57), finishing a gritty run on the first leg in fourth place. Claire Waterhouse used her speed and stamina to good effect to keep the team to the fore with a run of 16.36.  It was Ainsley Normand who completed the ‘B’ team’s challenge with another competitive run of 16.42 to keep the team in fourth place, and round off a superb overall performance for the Club.

Central AC’s Men had never won the East Cross Country Relays but there was a quiet confidence about the team as start time approached.  First leg ‘A’ team runner Alastair Hay had shown some good early season form and he ensured the team was in contention from the start with a fine run on his 4 kilometre leg in 12min.55sec.  Alasdair Anthony looked in superb form as he swept to the front of the race on the second leg (13.12) but further back the strong Hunter’s Bog Trotter (HBT) team was moving ominously through the field. It was Irish Internationalist John Burke who carried Central’s hopes on the third leg as he battled HBT’s Scottish International Phil Mowbray. While Mowbray moved a few yards ahead on this occasion John kept Central in close contention with an excellent leg of 12.50.  Robert Russell was then faced with the tough task of hunting down former Scottish Cross Country Champion Steve Cairns on the final leg. Robert moved quickly to the shoulder of the HBT runner and confidently opened up a winning lead, coming home in a superb time of 12.14, some 23 seconds faster than any other runner on the day, to ensure the gold medals for Central.

The Mens ‘B’ team showed that the Club has strength in depth with Ross Houston’s strong first leg of 13.23 giving the team an early 7^th place.  Jamie McDonald applied himself from the start with a typical charging run as he moved the team up to fifth with 13.38. Lewis Miller underlined his growing confidence and ability with a fine run of 13.49 to retain fifth place. It was youngster Michael Wright who accepted the last leg challenge and he showed maturity beyond his years as he brought the ‘B’ team home in sixth place overall with a run of 14.03.

The Mens ‘C’ team, while never to the fore, all worked diligently and first leg runner Phil Williams brought the team round to 21^st place in 14.51. Robert Hutchison kept things moving along with a leg of 15.03 to move the team up to 19th.  Youngster Murray MacLarty looked to be enjoying himself with an excellent run of 14.50 to pick up three places.  It was left to John Miller to finish off the Club’s challenge as he brought the team home in 16.49 for an overall 20^th place for the ‘C’ team.

The day had started with the young female athletes gaining some valuable experience at this level.  Lorna Cameron had another assured run against some top class opposition in the Under 13 leg over 2.4 kilometres with an excellent run of 9min 37secs for seventh place. Rachel Hunter was another who provided an assured response to this move up in class and came through on the Under 15 leg in 9.42, keeping the team in seventh place. Lauren McNab, on the Under 17 leg, looked a little short of her best but stuck well to her task as she came round in 10.13 to bring the Club home in ninth overall.

The Club’s young male athletes were also on an experience hunting exercise.  It was David Hutchison who looked strong on the first leg with a 12^th place run in 9.21, however with no team mates to follow David was, very much, running for experience but he also underlined his potential.  Chris Clarke was the team’s Under 13 runner and, on this occasion, came home in 9.40 for 14^th place.  Under 15 runner Sean Reilly had one of his best runs for the Club as he worked through the field to move the team up to seventh place in 7.59, only 17 secs behind the fastest Under 15 time of the day. It was left to Under 17 runner Graham Harvey to bring the team home in ninth place and his run of 8.54 should provide confidence to make further progress.

Thanks are due to the Club’s Team Managers, Coaches and supportive parents for providing such an enjoyable and rewarding day.

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NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS – 23 OCTOBER 2004 – CUMBERNAULD. There was success tinged with disappointment from Central Athletics Club’s venture at the Scottish Athletics National Cross-Country Relay Championships at Cumbernauld on Saturday 23 October. However with medals for the Young Male Team, the Womens Team and the Mens Team plus finishing some eleven teams on the day there was also much cause for satisfaction.

The first race of the day saw the Young Female Team of Lorna Cameron, Rachel Hunter and Lauren McNab take on some 30 other teams competing over 3 legs of 2.7km. Under 13 athlete Lorna Cameron started as though this move up in class was too big a challenge. However Lorna soon dispelled all fears with a well paced run, taking the lead at one stage before completing her leg in an excellent third place in 11min 7secs. Rachel Hunter, running the Under 15 leg, attacked the hilly course with a new assurance, finishing in fifth place in 11min 30secs.  Lauren McNab, on the Under 17 leg, found the high quality opposition a little too strong on this occasion but still brought the Team home to an overall 11^th place with a 12.38 clocking.

Central’s Young Males had won their category in the last two year’s but knew that teams from Kilbarchan, City of Edinburgh and Giffnock North would be hard to beat on this occasion.  The ‘A’ Team sported a unique all family Gillespie line up and it was Under 13 Anthony who kicked things off with a 10.28 clocking for 11^th place.  Matthew then picked up on the Under 15 leg, as he ran down some seven teams with the fastest age group leg of 9.05 to take the Club into fourth place.  It was oldest brother Michael’s task to bring Central into a medal position, which he did with his usual calm assurance.  Indeed Michael ran the second fastest Young Athlete time of the day as he swept through into bronze medal position, a tantalising two seconds away from silver as he finished in an excellent 8.45.  Central’s ‘B’ Team saw David Hutchison leading off well in 11.07 for 26^th, while Sean Reilly had another superb run for the second week in succession to bring the team through to 12^th in 9.36.  Graham Harvey is gaining good experience on a weekly basis and he pushed through for a 10.32 clocking and an overall 20^th place out of the 38 teams that finished.

A year appears to be a long time in athletics and it was all change for the Central Womens 'A' Team with Toni McIntosh, Emma Waterhouse and Morag MacLarty representing the Club this time round, indeed Emma had answered a call to bolster a team weakened by call offs. Toni McIntosh showed her International credentials with a lead off leg over the 4km course of 15.23 to bring the Club through in first place.  Emma looked a little short of her normal fitness and her dash from Leeds had not helped, however she kept the Club in contention with an 18.05 clocking, finishing in fourth. There was no doubting Morag’s intentions as she quickly moved into third place but the gaps ahead were too big to promote the team further.  Morag’s run of 15.19 was second fastest on the day with Toni’s time third fastest.   Central's 'B' Team of Ainsley Normand (17.15), Jane Waterhouse (18.11) and Mary Kerr (21.07) also did the Club proud, finishing 18^th of the 36 teams finishing the race, while Jennifer Emsley, competing for Stirling University on this occasion, had a strong run in 16.42.

The Club fielded six teams in the Senior/Junior Mens Race. Having won the East District title the previous week there was some expectation on the ‘A’ team for a repeat performance. It was Under 20 runner Alastair Hay who ran confidently on the first leg to bring the team through in third place in 13min 18secs for the 4000 metre course. Alasdair Anthony moved to the front of the race in the early part of his leg, however a strengthened Hunter Bog Trotter (HBT) Team saw Al Hart push through and Alasdair had to settle for second place at the end of the leg (13.44).  The third leg proved crucial as HBT’s Welsh international steeplechaser Don Naylor produced the fastest leg of the day with 13.00 while John Burke’s early challenge for Central faded with his 13.52 run. An enormous task faced Robert Russell on the final leg with a gap of almost a minute to close. Robert set off in fast pursuit of HBT’s Phil Mowbray and it was to Robert’s credit that he cut the lead to 40 seconds by the end of a leg which gave him the second fastest time of the day (13.11) and a repeat for the Club of the 2003 silver medal performance.

There was a strong consistency throughout Central Mens 'B' team with an improved showing of 19th place. Alex Milne had a excellent first leg run (14.36), while Jamie McDonald (14.43), Lewis Millar (14.59) and Douglas Flynn (14.53) all came through well in their back-up legs.

The Men's 'C' team, also finished in an improved 42nd position with fine performances from Craig Walker (15.06), Robert Hutchison (16.28), Murray MacLarty (15.39), and Phil Williams (15.48).

The Men's 'D' Team looked good throughout finishing in 58^th through Martin Crawford (16.10), Alan Hume (16.21), Ian Beattie (16.44) and Roger Greenaway (17.18).

It was also good to see the enthusiasm of the ‘E’ and ‘F’ Teams as they finished in 86^th and 90^th respectively through John Millar (17.44), David Hay(19.17), Cameron Campbell (18.01), Steve McNally (17.55), Alan Gall (18.08), Bill Gault (19.23), Jim Drummond (20.56) and Hugh Kerr (19.08).

A trio of the Club’s athletes, Toni McIntosh, Robert Russell and Alastair Hay, will now move on to represent Scotland at next weekend’s Birmingham Reebok International Cross Country.

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