Lynn McKenna can’t consider the instant she turns into Scottish champion at Falkirk (photograph through Bobby Gavin)
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Falkirk Effects
Photographer Bobby Gavin – now a veteran of a dozen editions of the Lindsays Nationwide XC – feels the very best labels for the Falkirk instance are ‘the sport’s gala day’ or ‘Scotland’s pass nation pageant’.
To mention the 2025 model lived as much as that billing could be one thing of a sarcasm.
Logan Rees claimed the Senior Males’s gold for the second one time in his occupation whilst Lynn McKenna loved her absolute best second thus far – each may virtually unquestionably be described as runaway wins.
However that easy sentence handiest in short covers it on an afternoon when the inclusive way lined 10 races for age teams from U13 all through to the Senior Males and Non Binary race come mid-afternoon.
There used to be a champion from the Borders within the U20 Ladies’s race with a powerful rugby connection; and a medal in that race for Shetland AAC. Stornoway RAC, pressured to go away early to catch a later ferry house as a result of climate warnings for Sunday, had already claimed a person bronze within the U17 Ladies’s race.
This, then, used to be an afternoon which as soon as once more demonstrated how the Nationwide XC appeals proper around the period and breadth of Scotland
Central AC delivered the very best tribute to the overdue Ali Hay with their 14th consecutive Senior Males’s staff golds.
Additionally at Senior stage, and the bronze medallists, Brogan Wallace of Shettleston and Kevin Campbell of Cambuslang, each had attention-grabbing again tales: Brogan returned after being out the game for 5 years and M35 Kevin is an excessively contemporary recruit and following up his West XC efficiency with a very good run right here.
And what a Nationwide XC for Carnethy Hill Working Membership – scaling summits very easily – as they took staff medals in each the Senior races in a positive collective efficiency.
We even had twins at the podium within the U15 Boys race – from host membership Falkirk Victoria Harriers.
The tales and feelgood isn’t all the time limited to athlete medallists.
Ron Morrison, two times our President, coached Logan to his 2nd win because the Fife AC athlete received in entrance of his California-based female friend and circle of relatives from round Scotland.
Trains, Planes and Vehicles (plus Ferries), in the meantime, will have been a sub-title for many who merely felt they needed to be in Falkirk.
The pictures, mid-race, of in part sighted Edinburgh AC athlete being roared during the tented village in some way turns out to sum up the spirit of the day.
McKenna received gold from Nancy Scott of Edinburgh AC and Wallace of Shettleston.
Shettleston received staff golds with Edinburgh 2nd and Carnethy 3rd.
‘I’ve no longer run right here for a couple of years as I’ve been injured at this level of the season – so Falkirk used to be a large goal for me this yr,’ stated Lynn.
‘I felt as though Nancy and others had been as regards to me within the first couple of laps however as soon as you’re feeling you might be forward you simply must push on and agree with your self.
‘It means an awful lot to me to win this when I see the names on the trophy. Freya Murray (now Ross) is the first one I recall, really, and Mhairi Maclennan.’
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Rees used to be a person with a plan and completed it beautifully as house favorite Scott Stirling took silver and Campbell a wonder bronze.
Central received the staff golds as soon as once more with Carnethy received the silvers and Shettleston had been 3rd.
‘My girlfriend was over from America and a lot of family were here too so I could not let them down,’ stated Logan.
‘I think Liverpool and Falkirk are the two big ones for Scottish athletes in terms of cross country. Liverpool didn’t cross means I was hoping however I must be actually happy with as of late.
‘I felt the atmosphere around the course was very special once again and I enjoyed the new course route through the tents and the finish.’
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Logan Beagley received the Males’s gold in some of the tighter races of the day as Harris Pagett of Strathearn Harriers took silver and Andrew McWilliams of Lasswade the bronze.
Giffnock received staff golds from Lasswade and Central.
‘I was fourth in this race last year and gutted at the time to miss the podium,’ stated Central AC athlete Logan,
‘So to come back and win in a strong field is great. There were a few of us running together for a spell but I was ahead into the final stages and loved running in to the tape.’
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Isla Paterson received the U20 Ladies’s gold from Millie McClelland-Brooks of Inverclyde AC and Layla Todd of Shetland AAC.
Giffnock received staff golds from Edinburgh Uni and Glasgow Uni.
‘It’s the most productive win of my occupation after being silver medallist ultimate yr and I’m so pleased with the run,’ stated Isla.
‘My uncle (Chris) used to be a world participant for Scotland so he’s somebody I all the time seemed as much as and admired his determination to his game.
‘I am now based in Leeds and coached by Laura Weightman but had so much help through the years from Neil Renton and he’s nonetheless serving to me now.’
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Tags:
Central AC, Falkirk, Isla Paterson, Lindsays Nationwide XC, Logan Beegley, Lohan Rees, Lynn McKenna, Shettleston Harriers
