National Cross Country Championships
Callendar Park Falkirk 23/02/08
WHERE EAGLES DARE
The last time I ran a cross country race was at school in 1987 – in those days it was not cool to try so I was well out of the hunt for silverware. To put a sense of perspective on how along that was, The Berlin Wall was still standing; Terry Waite hadn’t yet been kidnapped; I had hair; Rick Astley was still making tea for Stock Aitken & Waterman; and the Simpsons were about to make their first TV appearance on the Tracey Ullman Show.
No doubt the only incentive to run quickly in the school cross country was to get home in time to see the latest episode of Moonlighting with Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepherd. It was also in 1987 that Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards represented Britain in the Ski Jumping World Championships finishing a distant last in both the 70m and 90m events. At the time I thought Mr. Edwards was a laughing stock, a blot on our national copybook, and a disgrace to the winter sports fraternity.
However, as the national cross country championships loomed, I realised that Mr. Edwards and I were in fact kindred spirits, two peas from the same pod, eagles who dared where others wouldn’t. Like Eddie I feared I was completely out of my depth by competing on a stage designed for more prolific athletes, like Eddie I decided to stuff convention and sacrifice credibility by going for it anyway.
Both of us had to use outlandish equipment in our daring challenges. Eddie had long thin planks attached to his feet, while I had to wear contraptions (courtesy of Peter) that go by the name of Walsh and that tightly hug and gently lacerate your feet. We both had to face fears – for Eddie it was his fear of heights; for me it was a fear of mud.
And so to the race itself, I was excited and nervous at the same time: excited about trying something new and nervous about coming last. I felt better when I met up with Tony Stapley at the start and Tony told me it was 25 years since his last country. For those that train with me at the club they will all know that I always start off too quickly. Well, for once, I decided not to, and started right at the back of the 400+ strong field.
After about 0.5km I began overtaking people and did so for the remainder of the 12km course (including passing a few runners who walked off mid race). Once I knew I wouldn’t be last I began to really enjoy the race. It was very muddy in parts and without the loan of Peter’s Walshes I would have been face down in it a few times.
My favourite part of the course was a steep U-shaped dip where, if you really went for it, going down your momentum would take you back up the other side – this worked on 2 out of my 3 laps – on the 3rd lap I nearly sank in the quicksand like mudpit at the bottom. I really enjoyed the changing terrain and the variety of the course and the event has whetted my appetite for doing more off road runs.
On each lap I greatly appreciated the support of my family and of Mary, Lynn and Sarah (who always managed to get to at least 2 points on each lap) and hammed it up with a big smile every time I went past someone I knew. I ended up going round in 54:32 and came 339th out of 398 finishers which, given my pre-race expectations, counted as a place on the podium and sufficient to earn my prize of a Saturday night bottle of wine and Indian takeaway.
I didn’t see any of the Porty runners who finished ahead of me on the way round but enjoyed the sense of camaraderie we shared before and after the race. It was good to be part of a full squad at a big event. Judging from their times a few them enjoyed personal battles during the race – perhaps next year – I’ll get closer to the action.
Footnote:
Despite not being the best in the world, at the time of his World Championships and Olympics entries, Eddie was the best ski Jumper in Great Britain.Despite not being the best in the world, at the time of his National Cross Championships entry, Ben was the best cross country runner in his street in Edinburgh.
Report Ben Carter
Lynn demonstrated off-road skills by falling over in the carpark before we even got to the course. In the background Leo practises leaning.
Sarah and Frank our youngest team members exchange tips with Tony our most senior.
Leo admitted to training.
This is lap one: I know this as it was the last time I was amongst such quality runners. Number 345 is Craig Mattocks who was first Westerner in the Everest Marathon. He is wearing my shoes - I had brought along a couple of pairs for Ben to try and Craig hadn't expected to be running. So I had 3 pairs of shoes in the event. Unfortunately I was unable to keep up with this pair. Number 342 is Paul Thompson, the Peter Pan of Helensburgh who is allegedly in his 50s but gets younger and faster every race. Obviously in league with the devil. The distinctive peak of Ian Sills can be seen in the background, one of several Dunbar runners who were in good form.
Note HBT Geoff in brown shirt
Scott being cheered on by his biggest fans
Ross Munro of Stornoway has a "did I leave the gas on?" moment
The fabulous flying Tony Stapley
Ivor, going like an engine.
Its not just for the young - all ages can get a lot of pleasure from cross country.
Jim Bruce of Stornoway
Dick Wall, HBT
Race for first place
Leo, the new PRC King of Cross Country.
Thanks Geoff for making me sprint the last 100 yrds
Geoff crossed the line fractionally ahead but we were given the same time. I spoke to him just before the start and he also confessed to having done a bit of training. He ran a canny race - and can be seen clearly in the back of the photos with Willie and Leo and so must have been moving up through the field over the three laps.
We can't see much of Scott but what there is tells a story.
Willie was within a second of his time last year.
Crossing the line with style?
Thanks to the organisers and marshals for a great job. Thanks to whoever owns Callendar Park (Falkirk Council?) and let us churn it up like that.
Photos: Mrs. Carter, Andrew Henderson, pb and Mary Hunter
More photos at roadrunpics hereWomens' race photos and report here
Gerry's report
This was the third consecutive year that the Scottish National Cross Country event has been held at Callendar Park in Falkirk and I've been there each time and really enjoyed the experience, writes Gerry.
With races for all age groups and literarily 2 - 3 thousand runners participating with coaches, parents and friends coming along to watch, it does make for a memorable occasion.
Conditions overhead were OK, with a bit of a swirling wind which would only be apparent on the outward part of the course. Underfoot conditions were muddy, in some parts at least but firm enough to keep runners from falling. So I had no complaints there.
It was great that in both our women's and men's races we had full teams and this despite some late call-offs due to illness. This is very encouraging for the club.
I approached the race in quite good shape. Although I had missed cross country events since Christmas I had a boost of confidence the week before when taking part in the 'Round the Houses' 10k where I was pleased with my performance. However the National is a different experience and presents a real and long challenge over a 12km course for the men's race.
As appears to be a tradition, on the starting line for the mens race, a cheer goes up before the start and then the familar chant of 'HBT' can be heard from a section of the starters.
The route was very similar to the previous year, three laps of an excellent and varied course: four hills, one of which as Ben has described previously, a steep drop takes you down into a moat before you have to quickly climb back up again, two rather muddy hills and just beyond the start line a steady but reasonable hill.
I started the race well, surprisingly finding a little space for myself among 400 or so runners. I had expected this part to be quite tricky and slow moving. It feels like a horse race with the thunder of feet hitting the ground. I could see Peter ahead and was reassured by that as I know he had a tendency not to hang around early on. Around the back of Callendar House (and loch) and already the runners (where I was) were spreading out. Beyond this area there were a couple of flat but muddy stretches which were a good test of strength.
Going around the golf course with a wind in our face, Peter was ahead and I recognised a couple of others, George Gillhooley and Stuart Hay, from Dunbar Running Club so I felt I was in the position I wanted to be. Down into the drop (mentioned earlier) and sharply back up again, the latter taking a bit of effort, before running along a flat stretch where I feel it was possible to make a bit of recovery before turning into a 50 or so metre hill which I believe leads up to the Antonine Wall. After this we headed into a gusty wind that threatened to blow you side-ways before turning back along beside trees. At this stage I cannot remember much about events. On the final part of the loop we headed along a red ash track towards Callendar House. A beautiful scene in normal circumstances but today I'm afraid I had other things on my mind.
There was a sharp turn into the second lap and, as the ground looked slippy I followed Peter over a narrow track which cut around the corner - thanks for this one Peter, a good route to take. Just beyond this I caught him and thought I might go by Stuart but, without I suspect Stuart seeing me, he seemed to shift a gear. I tried to say 'Hi' to Peter but goodness knows whether he heard, it was a mumble of some kind.
During the next lap I seemed to get by a few more runners and continued to feel decent.
Starting on the third lap and seeing my sister at the sharp corner I tried to give her a 'thumbs up' to say I was doing OK. I think she noticed and certainly the crowd there were excellent, giving real vocal support.
I had around half a dozen runners close by and we had been swapping positions depending on our strengths and weaknesses. So for the first half of the third lap, until we reached the golf course, all was sound though I was certainly starting to feel tired. On the third visit through the muddy ground and over the golf course, where a mix of swirling wind and boggy ground seemed to sap some of my strength, I saw three runners come by me on my inside. I took a look across and saw Leo among them. My mind raced a little as to what to do?
With around 2.5km to go and the most testing part of the course to come I felt I should simply keep to my pace but not to lose sight of Leo. He was making a little more ground and really did appear to be running well. I think this sapped a little more of my strength, how someone could be looking so comfortable at this point of the race. With just over a km to go and heading into the wind for the final time I wasn't making progress and so I tried to wind myself up for a final push. I don't think it happened, between tiredness and gladness that the finishing line wasn't too far away I settled and over the final straight simply tried to maintain my position.
I was pleased with my performance. My highest ever finish on the National, 130th, and after a disappointing run last year I felt I had given as much as I could.
To Leo, what a fantastic run, really well done and you've set the standard for the rest of us. To others in the Club who took part, well done and it does look as though Portobello will have a good presence next year at the cross country events.
Report Gerry Scullion
