Cross-country runners’ Stirling trip brings podiums

Twenty-six athletes from Team East Lothian took part in the event, hosted by Central AC, held in the grounds of Stirling University on Saturday.

The event is the principal selection race for the Inter District Team event, which will be held at Scone Palace Parklands in the New Year.

Fifteen athletes are selected from each age category, and a top-10 finish at Stirling ensures a place on the team.

The first event was the under-13 girls’ race, with Cerys Wright battling all the way round the 3.2k loop to grab the gold in a thrilling sprint finish.

The under-13 girls' team of Cerys Wright, Freya Brown, Flora Lawson and Sula Russell were in impressive form

Excellent running from Freya Brown in seventh place and Flora Lawson in 11th secured a team gold medal as well.

Also with a strong performance from Team East Lothian was Sula Russell in 23rd place.

There was great representation from Musselburgh in the age category as well.

Imogen Turner crossed the line in ninth place, while Ava-Rose Curtis (17th), Thea Cooke (45th) and Heidi Nicholson (52nd) also competed well.

In the under-13 boys’ race, it was Josh Cooper from Team East Lothian who secured a top-10 finish, enjoying a superb run to finish in ninth place.

Lachlan Baillie, Ben Anderson and Jacob Lamb also did a good job of tackling the course and finished in 41st, 53rd and 57th respectively.

Lois Thomson ran well in the under-15 girls’ race and finished in 29th place, while Hannah Scott from Musselburgh was close behind in 34th.

There was good depth from Team East Lothian in the under-15 boys’ race.

Howie Allison was the first team member home, claiming a brilliant individual bronze medal.

Each member of Team East Lothian's under-15 boys' team - Magnus Lawson, Howie Allison, Fraser Lupton, Thomas Gornall, Joe Smith and Jake Page - finished in the top 30

It was also a team bronze in the age group as Fraser Lupton crossed the line in eighth place and Magnus Lawson in 15th.

There was good endurance from Joe Smith (18th), Jake Page (23rd) and Thomas Gornall (28th) over the 4.2k challenging course.

There were more medals in the under-17 men’s race, with Corey Campbell finishing in style, a clear seven seconds ahead of second to win gold.

Corey Campbell was out in front on his way to gold in the under-17 men's event

It was team gold as well, with Aidan Page running strongly to finish in seventh place and team-mate Ronnie Brown right behind in eighth.

Innes Wright had a fantastic run to finish ninth, making it an impressive four Team East Lothian runners in the top 10, while Jamie Smith was 19th over the 5.7k course.

In the under-17 women’s race ,the Team East Lothian runners also finished close together.

Winning a silver team medal were Olivia Robbins, who finished 10th, Eily Sinclair (13th) and Ella Nicholson (14th).

There was a silver medal for Team East Lothian's under-17s girls' team. Pictured are Rachel Stevens, Olivia Robbins, Ella Nicholson, Eily Sinclair and Cristina Elliot

Rachel Stevens was 19th and Cristina Elliot was 30th over the 5.7k route.

Finally, Angus Wright had the challenge of tackling a long 6.6k cross-country route in the under-20 men’s race and managed the distance well to finish in ninth place.

A spokesperson for Team East Lothian said: “Congratulations to all athletes who finished in the top 10, securing a vest for Scotland East at the Inter District Championships.”