WATCH: Lindsay’s Scottish Cross Country Championship 2020

Falkirk and Callander Park has been home to the Lindsay’s Scottish National Cross 
Country championships for the past 15 years, but few have been as wet and muddy as the 2020 edition.

After days of heavy rainfall leading up to race day, from Storms Ciara and Dennis, the course was wet and soft, and indeed officials had to change the route from the previous course layout to make it runnable at all.

The team of Falkirk Victoria Harriers coursebuilders had to use all their skill and experience to devise a suitable challenge for the record entry of 2460 runners who were due to compete in the day’s ten races.

The sleet, snow and rain on the day certainly added to the mix, making for a punishing set of races in tough weather conditions and difficult terrain.

In the end the winners more than earned their victory as they hit the finish line outside Callendar House – and some even used the flood-water and large puddle to clean up muddy clothes and legs after a punishing run around the park – and had fun doing so too!

Mhairi McLennan of Inverness Harriers won the senior women’s race in 39.44 ahead of 314 others while a run of 35.29 by Central AC’s Jamie Crowe gave him the men’s trophy and helped the men’s team to victory.

Fife AC won the ladies’ team contest with Edinburgh University runners taking the female under-20s team award. Central also took the age-group’s male team prize. Fraddie Carcas of Edinburgh was U20M winner and Megan Keith of Inverness took the individual women’s race.

In the under-17s, Kilbarchan won the men’s team race with Lucas Cairns of Inverness the first individual, while in the women’s raceEdinburgh AC won the team but Fife’s Anna Hedley won in 24:12.

Giffnock North dominated the younger age-groups winning the under-15 boys and girls categories with winners Reuben Macdonald in 14.54 and Hannah Ryding in 15.46 leading the way.

They took the under-13s team events too with Craig Shennan first home in 11.07 and the girls team also triumphing. Millie Mcclelland-Brooke of Glasgow School of sport won the first race in 12.15.

Closer to home though, and on their home course, some 45 Falkirk Vics had entered, and just running in the conditions would be praise worthy enough, so special mention must go to three of our athletes who finished in their age groups top ten.

Sisters Katie and Jessica Christie both finished ninth in their races (U15 and U20 respectively,) and Gregor Hunter finished 10th in the U15 Boys.

Katie had the double achievement of also leading the Vics team of U15 girls to bronze medals. She was joined on the podium by Caitlyn Christie, Abbi Macleod and Erin Hendry.

A club spokesman said: “Self evidently not many runners can finish in their national championship top tens, or win national championship medals. These young Vics are a credit to their parents, their coaches, the club and of course, themselves.”

The Vics’ senior men finished 19th in the team category, led in by Peter Moffett, 65th overall in 65 39.55. Top local runner in the senior women was Claire Moffett, 87th overall in 49.25.

The Vics’ under-13 girls finished eighth team, and were led in by 14th placed Lois Cant in 13.06 as well as Katie Hedges (13.34); Chloe Davies (14.32) and Carys Forgie (14.38). Greg Ritchie led in the boys’ team in 12.57 backed by Hamis Lamont (14.02), Sam Redwood (14.37) and Zackary Jackson (14.47). They finished 15th overall.