It was back to rain and mud for the penultimate race in Central Athletic Club’s 2019-20 cross country series held on Saturday 7 March in Callander Crags.
Sean Scott had again set a testing course for the youngsters so it was testament to all 36 runners that they conquered the 1.3 mile course in style.
Euan Docherty led the pack around and eventually broke away to finish first Under-15 Boy clocking 8 minutes 52 seconds for the undulating course. Ross Lawrie (9:41) ran strongly throughout to take second in this category. Aaron Middleton (9:33) followed up his excellent run in the recent Scottish Schools Championships to lead in the Under-13 Boys and there was further progress from Fergus Young (9:59) in this category ahead of determined runs from Jamie Connor (10:38) and Alex Dunlop (10:44). Conall Paterson (13:02) and Scott Hill (13:14) again showed the true resolve that will serve them well for the future.
Joel Gillan (10:04) had an improved run to head the Under-11 Boys while Douglas Stewart (10:10) impressed in his first run in this season’s series with Jake Drummond (10:14) only a few strides behind. Oscar Underwood (11:47) showed good stamina ahead of further impressive efforts from Cole Johnston (12:00), Max Godsman (12:07), Noah McIntyre-Sim (12:32) and Arthur Carrie (12:47).
Summer MacLean (9:46) was always well to the fore to win a very competitive Under-15 Girls category from Catriona Kane (10:07) and Leona Melville (10:25). There was a close contest in this age group between Zosia Paddon (10:58) and Scarlett Roy (10:59) with Tara Mathewson (11:25) finishing in close attendance. There was a further close contest in the Under-15 Girls category with Leah Brown (10:28) leading to the finish just ahead of another tasty run by Niamh McKinlay (10:32) with Loren Stewart (10:45) again impressing. Emma Anderson (11:38) had another strong run in the testing conditions ahead of further more than worthy performances from first timers Tabatha MacKenzie (13:00) and Olivia Ashworth (14:27).
Fia Watkin (10:47) and Emily Stanford (10:48) challenged each other at the front of the Under-11 Girls race category with both impressing while Dara Clark (12:09), Ciara Middleton (13:04) and Nora Thompson (15:31) again deserved awards for their endeavours here. There was further good performances from the Under-9 Girls with all three in close attendance and here it was Jessica Walker (15:21) who prevailed from Eilidh Connor (15:24) and Summer Johnston (15:48) and all three girls should be pleased with their runs.
Thanks are again due to Sean Scott, Craig Walker and Jane Dunlop plus all the helpers who provided another excellent event on behalf of Central Athletic Club in spite of the conditions.
| Name | Age Group | Time | |
| 1 | Euan Docherty | U15B | 8.52 |
| 2 | Aaron Middleton | U13B | 9.33 |
| 3 | Ross Lawrie | U15B | 9.41 |
| 4 | Summer MacLean | U15G | 9.46 |
| 5 | Fergus Young | U13B | 9.59 |
| 6 | Joel Gillan | U11B | 10.04 |
| 7 | Catriona Kane | U15G | 10.07 |
| 8 | Douglas Stewart | U11B | 10.10 |
| 9 | Jake Drummond | U11B | 10.14 |
| 10 | Leona Melville | U15G | 10.25 |
| 11 | Leah Brown | U13G | 10.28 |
| 12 | Niamh McKinlay | U13G | 10.32 |
| 13 | Jamie Connor | U13B | 10.38 |
| 14 | Alex Dunlop | U13 B | 10.44 |
| 15 | Loren Stewart | U13G | 10.45 |
| 16 | Fia Watkin | U11G | 10.47 |
| 17 | Emily Stanford | U11G | 10.48 |
| 18 | Zosia Paddon | U15G | 10.58 |
| 19 | Scarlett Roy | U15G | 10.59 |
| 20 | Tara Mathewson | U15G | 11.25 |
| 21 | Emma Anderson | U13G | 11.38 |
| 22 | Oscar Underwood | U11B | 11.47 |
| 23 | Cole Johnston | U11B | 12.00 |
| 24 | Max Godsman | U11B | 12.07 |
| 25 | Dara Clark | U11G | 12.09 |
| 26 | Noah McIntyre-Sim | U11B | 12.32 |
| 27 | Arthur Carrie | U11B | 12.47 |
| 28 | Tabatha MacKenzie | U13G | 13.00 |
| 29 | Conall Paterson | U13B | 13.02 |
| 30 | Ciara Middleton | U11G | 13.04 |
| 31 | Scott Hill | U13B | 13.14 |
| 32 | Olivia Ashworth | U13G | 14.27 |
| 33 | Jessica Walker | U9G | 15.21 |
| 34 | Eilidh Connor | U9G | 15.24 |
| 35 | Nora Thompson | U11G | 15.31 |
| 36 | Summer Johnston | U9G | 15.48 |