EAST Lothian ace Cera Gemmell (TEL) came home with a clutch of medals after representing Scotland at the British Cross Challenge races in Belfast.

A flawless run saw Gemmell secure the individual gold medal for the U20 women’s Celtic cross-country and her outstanding performance cemented the Celtic cross-country gold for the Scotland team, with Scotland taking silver in the Home Countries event.

At home, East Lothian athletes competed in the Scottish East District Cross-Country League in Livingston. For the third and final meet of the series, conditions were perfect.

The event started with the U11 girls’ race producing solid performances from A. Franklin (MADAC), F. Harley (TEL), Fleur Gamal (MADAC), Robyn Lupton (TEL) and M. Balfour (MADAC).

The U11 TEL boys put in a great team effort, with Jake Page 15th in 6m28s, Fraser Lupton 18th in 6m32s, and Josh Liddell 32nd in 6m53s, consolidating TEL into fourth place in the team results. There were great performances also from U11 MADAC boys Cameron Hepburn, J. Taylor, Donald Ross and Cameron Elliot.

U13 TEL boys took an impressive second place in the team results, missing overall first place by just one point thanks to Corey Campbell storming over the line into second in 11m2s, with Innes Wright ninth in 12m1s and Aidan Page 11th in 12m5s, both battling for their position to the line. There wer solid performances also from Jamie Smith (MADAC), Connor Lupton (TEL), Jim Henry (MADAC), Isaac Stevenson (TEL) and Oscar Hilliam-Cook (MADAC). Christina Elliot (MADAC) was the sole U13 girl, coming a respectable 26th in 13m56s.

Katie Johnson (EAC U15) took first place with an impressive 13-second lead in 15m22s, with Flora Henry (TEL U15) striding over the line in eighth in 15m56s. Angus Wright (TEL U15) charged over the line into third place in 14m3s, with Angus Chandler (TEL U15) a solid 10th in 14m54s. Joe Donnelly (TEL U17) took 17th with an impressive sprint finish in 23m46s and Robbie Anderson (TEL U17) finished well in 24th in 24m55s.

In the senior women’s race, Megan Wright (HBT V) came an impressive 17th in 25m42s. There was a large East Lothian turnout for the senior men, with David Wright (HBT) first East Lothian male home in 84th in 36m14s, followed by W. Jarvie (PRC) 132nd; R. Henry (MADAC) 153rd; A. Duncan (MADAC) 206th; G. Lupton (PRC) 208th; A. Anderson (DRC) 221st; M. Malcolm-Smith (MADAC) 226th; J. Fraser (MADAC) 227th; A Stavert (PRC) 242nd and D. Surtees (MADAC) 251st.

FoxTrail Winter Running Series held their fourth race at Foxlake, Dunbar. Conditions were good underfoot and 235 athletes took to the 5k and 16k courses.

Paul Barry stormed across the line in 20m45s for the overall 5k win. Corrie Roberts was first female and third overall in 22m16s, with Pierpaolo Sidoti second overall in 22m8s. Oliver Coghlan (DRC) was the first junior athlete, taking an impressive fourth overall and third male in 22m31s, with John Page (DRC) fifth. In the 16k race, Andrew Brown (TEL) came striding over the finish line in 1hr2m45s to take first place, with Nicolas Duncan first female and sixth overall in 1hr5m43sec. Second and third places went to Adam Szymoszowskyj and Paul Mosely respectively.

Focus now turns to the Team East Lothian Cross-Country Open on Saturday at Foxlake, with entries available on the day.