The first Lasswade Open Cross Country event since pre-covid took place on Sunday 30th October at Gore Glen in Gorebridge. The weather was mild and dry and looked promising at 9.30am when the course was being set up, fast forward a few hours and the rain arrived in time for the first few races!
The first race of the day was the u11 girls with 27 girls in the field and 13 different clubs represented. The race at the front of the field was won by Hannah Inman of Central Athletic Club. The race for second was a close affair with Willow Smith of Springburn Harriers pipping Abbie Boyle of Law and District for second but both girls being given the same time.
The numbers in the u11 boys race were a bit lower with 20 boys in the field but again there was a fair representation of different clubs including one athlete from Lochaber Athletic Club. This was another close finish with Evan Tyler of Giffnock North just pipping Blake Burchill of Harmeny AC for first and Finlay Hamilton also of Giffnock North finishing in third place.
In the u13 girls race Skye Robertson of Falkirk Victoria Harriers came out on top with Beth McWilliam of host club Lasswade AC second and Dionne Maguinness of Airdrie Harriers in third place.
The next race was the u13 boys with Josh Cooper of Haddington Running Club coming home first followed by Shae McGovern of Airdrie Harriers in second and Francis Ovanni- Finnegan of Lasswade AC in third place.
There was yet another close race in the u15 girls race with Nancy Corrie of Harmeny AC in first with Millie Gairn of Airdrie Harriers just a second behind with Airdrie clubmate Eihlinn Gillespie in third place.
The u15 boys race was a battle of the east clubs with Team East Lothian coming out on top with winner Howie Allison. He was followed by Dan McGuire of Harmeny AC and Dylan Daunt of Edinburgh AC in third.
The u17 and u20 women ran together and they were next to go. Jessica Inglis of Law and District was our race winner followed by Lasswade AC athlete Olivia Meikle. Ariane Baillie of Pitreavie AAC came home in third place.
In the u17 men it was a battle between two Lasswade athletes Andrew McWilliam and Rowan Taylor. Andrew came out on top with a clear win followed by Rowan in second and Ryan Kellock of Law and District in third place.
Sam Kitchin, Andrew McWilliam and Rowan Taylor
Lasswade AC athlete Lauren Dickson was home for the weekend from university and was our first lady in the women’s race. In second place was Reagan Binnie of Law and District with Susan Ridley of Edinburgh AC in third place.
The men’s race was the biggest field of the day with fifty athletes in the race. It had a bit of international flavour with Spanish athlete Jose Miguel Gomez Garcia competing. Leading the men home was Livingston and District athlete Logan Beagley followed by Jose running unattached and Andrew Ferguson of Corstorphine finishing in third place.
Thanks to all of the clubs that supported this event. It was nice to see good numbers from a few clubs from the west of Scotland. We hope that everyone enjoyed it,
On the whole numbers were disappointing so we need to look at how we can try to increase numbers for the event next year.
