East Kilbride Athletic Club were delighted to host the newest races on the Scottish Athletics Cross Country Calendar recently with a full programme of events held at O’Cathian Farm, Hay Hill Road, Jackton.
In conjunction with the East Kilbride Community Trust and landowner Mr James Kean EKAC the club proceeded to host one of the most traditional cross country courses seen in recent times. With almost three hundred competitors braving the elements the club declared the event a complete success and look forward to making this an annual event.
The Senior Men’s race was won by Mark Pollard (Inverclyde) after a good battle with Robert Gilroy (Cambuslang) and Cameron Wilson (Kilmarnock) took the bronze medal in third place. In the Senior Ladies event Kara Tate (Kilmarnock) finished strongly to take a close victory from Lisa Finlay (Dumfries) with Carole Setchel (Shettleston) taking third place. There were also age group races for both boys and girls and the winners in each event were: Boys Under 11 Elliot Bain (East Kilbride AC), Under 13 Scott Sprang (Ayr Seaforth), Under 15 Ryan Gray (Inverclyde) & Under 17 Men Aidan Gilbride (East Kilbride AC). Girls Under 11 Alisha Sivell (Kilbarchan) , Under 13 Emily Crusher (GiffnockNorth), Under 15 Nikki Miller (Giffnock North) & Under 17 Women Nicole Scott.
The races were run over four testing laps around O’Cathian Farm nearJackton. With each lap featuring three climbs and testing muddy conditions it was a true test of cross country running with many post race compliments flooding in. A selection of the post race compliments follow:
Jim Orr (Cambuslang) - Thanks to everyone involved at East Kilbride Athletic Club today for their hard work and effort in putting together an excellent day's cross country racing. Well done folks!
Colin Partridge (Lothian) - Really enjoyed the race today. Mud glorious mud!
Neil Walker (Kilmarnock) - Great event today guys, good turnout, very tough course!
George Pettit (Cambuslang) - Thats what you call a cross countrycourse,Great event will be back next year.
Alan Sprang (Ayr Seaforth) - Congratulations on a well run and great event. It was good to see a traditional cross country course for once. Pity there’s no more like it. I hope you will run the event again.
With such positive feedback the club will be delighted toliaise with the East Kilbride Community Trust regarding making this an annual feature in both the sporting calendars of the town of East Kilbride and Scottish Athletics.
For further information on both East Kilbride Athletic Club and the East Kilbride Community Trust go to their respective websites at www.ekac.org.uk &www.eastkilbridecommunitytrust.co.uk/
