Senior Men 6th at West District Relays

This year the west district cross country relays where held at Hamilton race course. This is a historic venue having hosted the first ever Scottish championships in 1889 and the first ever “World Championships” in 1903. The last race held there was in 1968 so it’s fair to say everyone was looking forward to testing themselves over such a course. The relay requires teams of 4 men to run 4 kilometres each.

Being held on a horse race course the conditions under foot were as you would expect: good to firm in places. The conditions on the day held up well with a minimal breeze and outbreaks of sunshine.

With everything in place, the senior men set out to break last year’s performance of 7th, and that they did.

On the first leg there was Vincent Hastings (13:47) and Jack Kirwan (13:51) racing not only the field but each other in a terrific performance by the youngsters who were recently promoted to the senior squad. Not fazed by the well-established competition around them, they gave solid performances that set the A and B teams on their way. Also running the first leg was Graeme Haddow who ran a 16:11.

The second legs were taken up by Alessandro Tronconi (12:40) and Niall Walker (13:59). Alessandro running one of the fastest times on the day to take the A team from 16th to 9th. Niall also running solid to take the B team from 23rd down to 18th.

By the time the third leg runners were called upon the race was strung out meaning that the 3rd leg men had to stick in and be mentally tough, John Fergusson (13:06) and David Gorman (14:40) done just that. John digging deep to take the A team from 9th to 8th after battling most of the course with a rival athlete.

The fourth legs were taken up by Grant Baillie (13:20) and Derek Letich (15:45). Grant battled his way around the 4th leg running well to take the team from 8th to 6th position overall. Derek also ran well to ensure that the B team finished in a respectable 28th position.

Next up for the EKAC senior men team is the Lanarkshire Road Relay where they will be looking to better last year’s position of 3rd.