Athletics News

Cross-country battles at Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland champs

Cross-country battles at Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland champs

Athletes compete in good numbers at Falkirk, Brecon and Derry as national titles go to Logan Rees, Scout Adkin, Dewi Griffiths, Olivia Tsim, Finn McNally and Grace Carson

Coverage from the English National Cross-Country Champs at Bolesworth Castle can be found here and here. For reports, photos and results from the rest of the home nations, see below.

Lindsays Scottish Cross Country Championships, Falkirk, February 25

There was a great last lap battle between Logan Rees and Jamie Crowe in the senior men’s race.

It was the Fife AC athlete Rees, who has been in America for the past four years, who had the strongest finish and he clutched his head in his hands almost in disbelief as he crossed the finish line with Crowe, winner in 2020 and 2022, six seconds back as his Central AC team-mate, Hamish Hickey, took bronze.

“I’ve always been obsessed with the National Cross-Country even though I’ve been away in the States and not raced here since 2018 and I guess it goes back to coming here as a kid and competing regularly in the age group races.”

Men’s podium (Bobby Gavin/Scottish Athletics)

Of the race he said: “Jamie and I went into that last lap neck-and-neck and at times I wasn’t sure if I could stay with him but I put in a kick up the hill through the tents and got a bit ahead but even then he closed right up on me again but Thankfully I’ve had enough to win and it is a special day for myself.”

With two in three, and three more in the top 20, it was no surprise Central won easily to make it 12-in-a-row titles.

The senior women’s race saw British hill international Scout Adkin taking victory to go one better than the previous year.

Adkin won after seeing off the final challenge from Edinburgh Universities British international, Alice Goodall, taking second with Steph Pennycook of Fife AC take the bronze.

Adkin said: “‘I did worry a bit that I’d made a move too early and Alice was still there throughout the second lap and I think closed a bit at times on the third but I was far enough ahead when we turned into the straight and after winning silver last year, it was a good feeling running in towards the finish for the victory.”

“I’ve won medals in hill races and while they are different events and achievements, it’s brilliant to be a Scottish National cross-country champion.”

She added: “I’ve been in the sport almost 20 years and came here time after time as a youngster without being anywhere near the medals. I hope…

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