Dundee was dry but cold and windy (in your face on the exposed sections of course). Those of us who did it last year had the benefit of knowing what was ahead, which maybe explains why some of the stars that got the men’s team to 5th place decided they had to wash their hair.
The ladies didn’t manage to get a full team out this year but Charlotte made up for it and had a great run to come in 4th in the ladies race, only a few seconds off 2nd behind a Central AC clean sweep. Helen and Rachel completed the Carnethy results, with Kate turning out for Gala.
In the gents race Andy and Craig returned from last year and as I don’t have any hair to wash so did I. The talk beforehand was of getting a V50 team place (ah the innocence of youth – there was no such competition), so we all thought we had reason to slog our way round the three 2 mile laps (6.1 miles in total – tantalisingly short of a decent Strava 10k time). Anyway – the race was won by familiar figure Murray Strain with Andy sneaking a top 20 place. Craig, spurred on no doubt by Charlotte’s vest was 2nd counter with Iain G following. I was 4th counter – gaining 2 places on my 2013 result (so at least I’ve something to be thankful for last years fantastic four spending Saturday doing their nails), with Tom and Harry completing the counting places to get us to 10th team. Mike, Bob and Micah completed another impressive Carnethy turnout.
Results http://www.salroadrunningandcrosscountrymedalists.co.uk/Archive/Cross%20Country/District%20XC/Results/East/2010s/EDXC%202014-5.pdf
Will we get full teams out for the nationals in February (weekend after Carnethy)? If you fancy trying some XC but haven’t a place in the borders series then the East District League have their next race on January 17th in the wilds of Broxburn (it’s free too, see http://www.eastleague.co.uk/)
Bruce Smith
Info: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/events/17547-16410-east-district-xc-championships
Some classic grimacing shots in here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/89560570@N06/sets/72157649233901970/
Mike Lynch