Merseyside mission: Scots head for British Cross Challenge and Euro Trials in Liverpool
Clubs are important.
Just three words but a simple message we are keen to push through our channels on a weekly basis, every single year.
So it was instructive to chat to cross country runner Christian Graham – ahead of a Scotland U23 vest at the British Cross Challenge in Liverpool this weekend – about his background at Lasswade AC.
The 24 athletes named to represent Scotland for the British Cross Challenge and Euro Cross trial races at Sefton Park on Saturday represent around 20 different clubs when we take in University clubs.
And, while we’ve come to expect strong representation for the likes of Edinbrugh Uni Hare and Hounds, Central AC, Edinburgh AC, Giffnock North and Kilbarchan AAC in these teams, it is interesting to note the background of athletes like Christian (Lasswade AC), Callum Tharme (Gala Harriers), Tendai Nyabadza (Harmeny AC) and Sarah Coutts (Fife AC).
‘I am a from Lasswade myself, a wee town just outside Edinburgh,’ smiled Christian.
‘I was a keen footballer from a little kid and was playing right into my teens. My dad took me down to the Dalkeith track to the club to get fitter for football. It just spiralled from there and I loved my athletics.
‘I enjoyed training, meeting new people and the coaches – Kirk and Linda Smith – were very welcoming and great coaches. They have raised so many athletes to GB and Scotland level that you can see the pathway.
‘It is a good set-up at the club and there is an emphasis on making it fun. Kirk and Linda make sure they are doing things in training that makes you want to come back and the fun and enjoyment is the most important aspect in the early years.
‘If you have fun then you want to keep coming back and want to progress to U20 and Senior levels. I’ve found that myself. I didn’t feel any pressure as young kid and the enjoyment I had then is still there for me now.’
Christian Graham was a Scottish Trail Champs silver medallist in September with winner Hamish Hickey and bronze medallist James Dunn (photo by Neil Renton)
The ‘now’ for Christian features a silver medal in Glasgow last Saturday at the Scottish Student Sport XC Champs and this weekend’s trip to Liverpool.
‘I did well there last year when I was eighth U23 and they usually take the top five…
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Original Article at Scottish Athletics…