Photo by Bobby Gavin
By Alex Jackson
I ran in the National XC at Falkirk in 1981 and 1987, on both occasions finishing nearer the back of the field than the front.
On both occasions the winner of the Senior Men’s race was Nat Muir (Shettleston Harriers), with the 1987 win being the last of his eight Senior Men titles.
That 1987 race was my last as a runner at the National – from then on National days for me have been as an Official or Event Convenor.
The National came back to Falkirk in 1993 with a win for Tommy Murray (Cambuslang Harriers) in the last year of separate Nationals for Male and Females.
A year later in 1994 at the frequently used venue of Irvine’s Beach Park, we had the first joint National for Males and Females.
Back to Falkirk in 2002 and we had the joint champs at Callendar Park and the first time using the then newly built Graeme High School as the base for the event for Declarations and Changing. Glen Stewart (Mizuno RC) and Gillian Palmer (Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds) the winners that year.
Freya Ross in action for Edinburgh AC at Falkirk (photo supplied by Alex Jackson)
In 2006, the National returned to Callendar Park and it has been the venue each year since – with 2024 that will be 18 Nationals. Of course, 2021 was not possible due to Covid.
The most prolific Senior Women’s winner is Freya Murray/Ross (Edinburgh Southern H/Edinburgh AC) with six wins.
Next comes Mhairi Maclennan (Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds/Inverness Harriers) with three wins followed by Beth Potter (VP-Glasgow) with two wins. Beth of course is the 2023 World Triathlon Champion.
Let’s add a mention for Rosie Smith (Hunters Bog Trotters) who had three silver medals and three bronzes but never made the top of the podium.
National XC Women’s Individuals (salroadrunningandcrosscountrymedalists.co.uk)
In 2012 Laura Muir (Dundee Hawkhill H) won the U20 Women’s race. This was the first time Laura had medalled in the National in any age group.
Laura celebrated by going indoor to the Kelvin Hall the following day to set a new National U20 record in the 800m.
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Fight for the line . . . one of the closest finishes as Mark Pollard takes gold (photo supplied by Alex Jackson)
On the Senior Men’s side six athletes have won two titles over the recent period at Falkirk.
Mark Pollard (Inverclyde AC), Alastair Hay (Central AC), Derek Hawkins (Kilbarchan AC), Andrew Buchart…
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