Athletics: Falkirk Victoria Harriers impress at relay championships

Following the cancellation of the National Relay Championships due to Storm Boelo, East District League cross country action finally got underway at Beveridge Park on Halloween.

A week after the storm, runners enjoyed sunshine and soft underfoot conditions for the opening fixture of the season.

Falkirk Victoria Harriers enjoyed a fine start to the National Relay Championships at Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy, with teams impressing including the U14 girls, who sit top (Photo: Submitted)

placeholder image — Falkirk Victoria Harriers enjoyed a fine start to the National Relay Championships at Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy, with teams impressing including the U14 girls, who sit top (Photo: Submitted)

First up were the U12 Girls, with debutant Bethan Taylor producing a good run over the 1.7km course in 9min 38sec. In the U12 Boys, Kyle Lawless finished in 7min 31sec, with Max Alexander recording 8min 07sec.

The U14 Girls enjoyed an excellent team performance over 2.6km, led by Isla Hedges, who finished an impressive second in 10min 13sec. Saffron Livingston (11:56), Ann-Leigh Meaney (11:59), Emilia Don (12:01) and Tess Rennie (12:29) also ran well, leaving the team top of the league after round one.

Three U14 Boys made their debuts, with Lewis Grindlay finishing in 10min 02sec, Conal Rooney in 10min 52sec and John Aitken in 14min 18sec. The team currently sit seventh.

There was a strong Harriers turnout in the U18 Men's 5.2km race, with Harrison McMillan leading the way in 18min 14sec. Rory McMillan (18:37), Luke Sedman (19:09), Ben Upfold (19:22), Thomas Luke (19:38), Hamish Gillies (21:10), Jude Elliott (21:39) and Thomas Mitchell (22:22) completed the team, who now sit equal top of the league.

In the Senior and Junior Women's race, also over 5.2km, Isabella Ogg (21:26), Lucy Gibson (21:42), Eilidh McCallum (23:58) and Chloe Davies (24:59) provided the four counting performances, placing the team sixth.

Kaelin McCabe was the sole Harrier in the U16 Boys race over 4.3km, finishing in 16min 29sec.

The U16 Girls and U18 Women followed over the same distance, with Skye Robertson (U18) leading the way in 17min 57sec. Megan Blair (19:39), Ella Shepherd (19:53), Isla Philp (20:35), Cara Drackford (20:36) and Erin Donaldson (21:25) also competed, with the team sitting seventh in the standings.

The final race was the Senior and Junior Men's event over 7.8km. Gary McKenna led the Harriers home in 31min 55sec, followed by junior Cahal McTarsney (34:02), Mike McQuaid (35:39), Nick Cassidy (36:37), Eric Donaldson (38:02), Michael Hedges (40:58) and Andrew Philp (43:14). With six runners counting towards the team standings, the men currently sit 14th.

Attention now turns to next weekend's National Cross Country Championships, which also take place in Kirkcaldy, with individual and team medals up for grabs.