The Central club cross country championships were staged on 14 February 2026 on the only cold, crisp, sunny morning that we’ve had since Christmas. The venue, as usual, was Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, and for some of the junior members was familiar ground from the recent Stirling schools competition.

The first race was for Under 11s and Harris Robertson led the field home over the 2km, pursued by Annabel Morrison, Ruth Thomas, Izzy Denholm and Under 9 Alice Mitchell, despite the available trophies not including one for her category.

The action then moved on to the Under 13s over 3.2km with the girls’ contest being between Lila Robertson and Summer Johnson with Lila running in as winner. Among the boys it was Brody Scanlon who lifted the silverware with Seonaidh Logan, Hugh Thomas and Jack Morrison in hot pursuit.

In the combined Under 15 and Under 17 race, the boys had stayed at home leaving the field open to the girls. Among the Under 15s, Emily Watkin was a clear winner across the 4.8km with Nicole Taylor and Olivia Denholm taking the minor places. Katherine Mitchell took the Under 17 crown with Norah Thompson having to settle for silver on this occasion.

As the day grew older, so did the competitors, and the final 6km race brought together Under 20, Senior, and Masters (over 40) competitors. In the women’s competition, Morag Millar belied her years to come home in the lead to lift the Masters’ trophy with Grace Whelan not far behind to take the Senior prize. Laurie Douglas and Claire Thompson settled the minor Masters’ places in that order.

For the men, Hamish Hickey was the comfortable winner in front of Cameron Milne and Max Stevens. Among the Masters men, Gerard Taylor ignored his injury concerns and an early turned ankle to romp home in the lead from Sean Morrison, Gavin Phillip (Guest), Hugh Buchanan, Gary Thompson and Allan Gall. Injury prevented Arran Sutherland, the only Under 20, from finishing.

Eve Watson has captured a wonderful photographic record of the day. Thanks to Hamish Hickey for organising the event, and to all the volunteers who assisted with entries, course marking, marshalling, time recording and every other task.