LASSWADE ATHLETIC CLUB

The first of this seasons East District Cross Country league matches took place at Stirling on 19/10/2019. It looked like being a miserable day with heavy rain overnight and on the morning on the day of the event.  However, the skies cleared and although underfoot conditions on parts of the course were very heavy and muddy the day itself was dry, sunny and mild.

In the first race of the day the under 11 girls we had our new Australian members running. Twin girls Ruby and Poppy ran great races to get the club off to a flying start finishing 2nd and 8th respectively. In the under 11 boys we only had one runner, Nathan Lawrence who ran strongly to finish in 44th place.

We had four under 13 girls running in the next race with Abbie Foster leading our girls home in 12th place, followed by Hannah Knipe in 17th, Eloise Scott in 25th and Bethan Kitchin 44th. This put the girls in 5th place in the league team event only four points behind 3rd place.

In the under 13 boys our first runner home was RowanTaylor in 8th place closely followed by Andrew McWilliam in 9th place. Our third counter was Cian Murray in 70th. The boys are currently sitting in 6th place in the league.

Under 15/17 girls run together in the league and we had five athletes in this race. Leading Lasswade home was Olivia Meikle in 21st, followed by Amy McLaughlin 37th, Abby McGlone 39th, Sky Foster 69th and Rebekah Knipe 75th.

Next up were the under 15 boys and Alastair Scott ran well to lead our team home in 31st, closely followed by Sam Kitchin in 33rd and Alasdair Brown running well after having tonsillitis to finish 49th.

In the under 17 men we only had on runner, Alex Porteous who had a solid run to finish in 22nd place.

Only the senior races left and the women were off first with only two Lasswade athletes which was a bit disappointing after having eight ladies at the relays a week earlier. Sarah Tait was up with the leaders from the start and had a good run to finish in 3rd place with the consistent Rachel Fagan our second counter in 47th place.

The final race of the day was the men and Lasswade had eight runners! Leading our men hom was Christian Graham who recovered after an early fall in the slippy conditions to finish 18th (5th U20), not too far behind was Magnus Tait in 24th (10th U20), Andrew McGlone was next counter in 132nd, followed by Scott Dickson 160th, close behind was Steve Brown in 166th, Dave Scott 207th, Phil Parr-Burnam 239th and Derrick Brydon 242nd.

Magnus and Christian alongside Andy Butchart at the start of the Men’s race.

The first league match is always a difficult race to get complete teams as it falls in the October school week so although there were some incomplete teams it was good to see so many athletes competing.

Thanks to everyone for your efforts and congratulations to you all on your performances!

(NB:Phot0 Courtesy of Will Graham)

Saturday 23/02/2019 – The National Cross Country Championships were once again held at Callendar Park in Falkirk. The recent weather conditions meant that the course was in great condition with not too much mud on a very spring like mild February day – very unlike a typical Scottish cross country race.

Lasswade had teams in most of the male age groups with the exception of the U17 boys but unfortunately only one complete team in all of the female age groups.

The first race of the day was the under 13 girls with a field of almost 150 runners.  Olivia Meikle led the team home with a strong run to finish in 27th, Hannah Knipe in her first championship race was next in 35th followed by Amy McLaughlan in 50th and Skye Foster finishing in 113th to complete the team.

In the under 13 boys we had five runners with Sam Kitchin our first finisher in 32nd, closely followed by team mate Andrew McWilliam in 33rd, Alasdair Brown was next home in 71st with Alec Miller our fourth counter in 125th and Shane Majekodunmi  completed the team finishing in 135th

We knew we had our best chance of an individual medal in the under 15 boys race and were quietly confident that Harry Henriksen would be in the mix at the sharp end of the field. Harry did not disappoint amongst the leaders from the start he began to move clear of the group around the half way point stretching his lead on some of the small hills. Harry had a reasonable lead coming down the finishing straight but had no time to relax as the runners behind began sprinting as they fought it out for silver and bronze medals. A fine win and second national cross country title for Harry having won the under 13 boys in 2017. Next home for Lasswade was Alex Porteous in 83rd, Alastair Scott 110th, Jamie Lawlor 122nd and Jonathan Adams 141st.

Harry Henriksen – U15 Boys National Cross Country Champion 2019!

Abby McGlone was one of our few female runners and was flying solo in the U17 girls. Abby had a solid race to finish in 32nd place.

In the under 20 men we had five runners and thought we had  an outside chance of a team medal, however it wasn’t to be with the boys finishing a respectable 5th team. Christian Graham was our top finisher in 14th place closely followed by team mate Magnus Tait in 17th. Next home in 28th place was our new member from Finland Severi Salonen followed by Euan Hood 57th and Daniel Kelly just back from a trip to Canada in 63rd.

Our only under 20 lady was Sarah Tait and she started off strongly, however having had a painful foot this week began to suffer a bit on the second lap as it began to get sore. However Sarah rallied and still finished a creditable 17th.

In the senior women’s race Keira Gore was yet another solo Lasswade athlete. Keira not  feeling 100% this week decided that she was still going to race. Keira started off steady and worked her way through the field to finish 64th. Lasswade athlete Amy Frankland also in the women’s race but running for Edinburgh University had a very good run to finish in 18th place.

The final event of the day was the senior men and Lasswade had five men competing. Martin Gore ran a strong race and was our first finisher in 109th, he was followed by the first of our masters Steve Brown in 403rd, then came Peter Ness in 437th, Dave Scott was a little further back in 464th and Phil Parr-Burnam completed the team in 583rd.

A great days athletics – congratulations to everyone on their own individual performances and to Harry on his win.

Thanks also to our volunteer marshal’s Stuart Meikle and Graham Knipe for their help it is greatly appreciated.

Finally thanks and congratulations to Linden Nicholson on her promotion, very well deserved. Linden has officiated at this event and other cross country events over a number of years.

Officiating and volunteering helps Lasswade AC as it is noted (not literally) how often clubs help/support these events. For it’s size Lasswade do very well as we consistently provide support. Sometimes we forget how important officials and volunteers are but without them these events would just not take place, so thank you all again.

For full results click here

The inter counties cross country championships take place next weekend in Loughborough and five Lasswade Athletes have been selected for the East of Scotland team.

They are as follows:

Harry Henriksen (U15)
Sarah Tait (U17)
Christian Graham (U17)
Magnus Tait (U17)
Lauren Dickson (U20)

Lasswade AC endurance coach Linda Smith will be travelling with the team as one of the Team Managers.

Congratulations to all of the athletes and good luck from all at Lasswade AC.

The National Cross Country Championships were once again held at Callender Park in Falkirk. Callendar Park has hosted the National cross country for a number of years now and it has always been a fantastic event regardless of the weather. However, I understand this is the last year at this location and that this event will be at a new venue next year.

The first race of the day were the under 13 girls and the conditions for running were almost perfect as the race got underway. Lasswade had three athletes in this race, Olivia Meikle, Skye Foster and Fiona Eades. Unfortunately, there was a problem with the chip timing so the results for the under 13 girls are incomplete.

In the under 13 boys Lasswade had five athletes, Cameron Chambers led the boys home finishing 100th, closely followed by team mate Alasdair Brown 101st, Matthew Cartledge 106th, Alistair Scott 121st and Alec Miller 158th.

Abby McGlone was the solo Lasswade girl in the under 15 girls race but had a solid run to finish in 59th position.

Harry Henriksen was also flying solo in the under 15 boys race. Harry got off to a bad start, but worked his way through the field and was in fourth spot going into the final run in to the finish. Unfortunately he was just outsprinted but finished a very impressive 6th.

Sarah Tait was yet another solo runner in the u17 womens race. Sarah has had a great season gradually building back into cross country running and improving with each race. Sarah had another strong race to finish inside the top 10 in 7th.

In the under 17 men we had four athletes and thought we had an outside chance of a team medal as well as potential individual medalists. Christian Graham one of the pre-race favorites had a difficult week with a foot injury and was a doubtful starter. However with his foot taped up he felt a bit better and wanted to race. Christian ran well and was up setting the pace early in the race, unfortunately I think the stress of his foot took it’s toll, Christian was unable to go with Cameron Wright of Kilbarchan and a gap began to open. Christian held on for 2nd to cement a solid season over the cross country. Team mate Magnus Tait was also having a good run a little further back in 7th place, with Euan Hood satisfied with his 37th after having been down with a cold and Daniel Kelly completing the team in 69th. We finished 6th team with only three points between us and 4th and 12 points to 3rd!

Christian Graham leads the U17 men’s race

The theme of solo athletes continued with Lauren Dickson in the u20 women. Lauren has had a few disappointing results in races this season so it was great to see her continue to improve and have a strong run to finish in 7th place.  Jamie darling has been improving this season too so it was interesting to see how he ran in the under 20 men’s race. Jamie ran well to finish in the middle of the field in 44th position.

Lauren Dickson leading the pack !

The final race of the day was the senior men and it had the biggest field of the day. We had five athletes in this race. It was great to see Ross Matheson make the trip up from London to race and have a strong run finishing 12th. He was followed home by team mate Scott Thomson who also had a good run finishing inside the top 30 in 28th position. Scott Dickson led home our masters finishing in 412th followed by Dave Scott 440th and Stephen Brown 463rd.

Ross Matheson – a good run to finish 12th

Congratulations to everyone on their performances.

For full results click here