Corstorphine athletes on the hunt for Scottish cross-country medals at Falkirk
Preview by Telfer Gray
79 of our members are entered for the national cross-country championships at Callender Park this Saturday.
The event will culminate the winter cross country season for (almost) all and is often the biggest race of the year for our members.
Our senior men’s team has our greatest quantity of entries with 44 and with 5km (14:07) club record holder Angus Smith racing, coach and competitor Moray Anderson is optimistic on the squads’ chances of a first team medal since 2020. He said:
“Of course the team has a good chance of a medal, but it is impossible to know how others will perform.”
“If most of the guys run to form and one or two exceed expectations, they are likely to be rewarded with a medal.”
“Team medals are always secondary to individuals doing their best and pushing their own limits.”
Led by athlete coach Kara Mckenzie Tait, our senior women’s squad will look to field a full team and to contribute to the team standings for the first time since their 8th place in 2023.
Formidable competitors Kirstin Maxwell and Fiona Davies will seek to inspire their club mates following their 27th place at the East District Championships, and 55th position at the BUCS A race. Kara said:
“We have had a really big focus on nationals with the aim to have a full team and have fun.”
“Hopefully all the tough sessions I have set will pay of as the group have been putting in the work and training well.”
Joining Kirstin, Fiona and Kara will be Megan Smith, Jessica Tovey, Catriona Duncan, Alice Gray, Emily Crusher, and Mairi Blankenstein.
Arguably our strongest category is our under 20 women, with Alice Mourao 2026 3000m Scottish track champion, Charlotte MacPhie West District XC title holder (Glasgow University) and Olivia Clarke, former national U20 3000m winner who will wear white and black in Falkirk.
Kara recognises that the talent and numbers of the young women bodes well for the future for the senior women.
“It will just add to the strength and depth of the squad and gives us more options as more of us near the vet age group. I know the group love having them as they fit right in and are lovely girls” said Mckenzie – Tait.
Competing with Alice, Charlotte and Olivia are our own Sophia Lawson, Lauren Doney, and Eva Cameron.
George Vickers is our sole entry for the under 20 men.
Amongst our junior contingent, Tymek Chmielowski may hope to be amongst the front pack in his first season as an under 17 athlete after his fine 13th place for Scotland at the Celtic Nations XC championships.
With 3 athletes to count for a team position, Belle Logan, Isla McGrath, and Alice Craigie will represent the club in the girls under 17 category.
Paige Coutts, Callie Logan, Isla Arnott, Zack Szadurski, Fraser Shaw, and Mylo Hibberd will compete in the 15 girls and boys.
Aidan Aitken, Aidan Gowans, Roi Lopez Porras, and Murray Simpson will go in the U13 boys.
Beth Craigie, Eleni Demetriades, Riley Harrison, Ella Harrison, and Keira Pearson will run in the u13 girls.
At the latest count, 2044 participants are registered from 96 different clubs, from Annan to North Uist, with course distances ranging from 3.4 km for the U13s to 10km for the senior men.
Although marginally down in entry numbers from last year, Moray Anderson is well versed on the growth of standards in Scottish distance running.
“The event is the biggest and best club event of the winter in Scotland. The sport is in a good place at senior level.”
“The standard and depth is impressive so to see the best endurance runners in Scotland out on the same day is very special,” said Anderson.
Regardless of ability levels, the fixture organised by Scottish Athletics staff and countless volunteers, will see our club members compete with vigour and passion.
C’mon the CAAC!!