Athletics: Lothian runners out in force

Oct 22 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

WITH the new cross country season now underway the Lothian Running Club athletes have been out in good numbers competing at the opening meeting in the East District League at Stirling University and the East District Relay Championships at Prestonpans.

A total of 26 club members contested the various categories and the club were successful in the combined Senior/Junior under 20 women's race.

Mhairi Inglis, who has recently returned to action after injury, finished eighth overall out of the 75 finishers but more importantly crossed the line as the first Junior under 20 covering the 6k course in 23 minutes 15 seconds.

In the Senior Men's race an excellent turnout of 11 Lothian runners were among the 197 who completed the 9k course.

First back in 21st place overall and 5th Junior under-20 was Robert Inglis in a time of 29:54.

There was some good running in the lower age group categories.

In the girls under 11 section, over 1.6km, A Lickley came home in fourth (6:39) with H Shanley in 13th (7:35).

In the boys equivalent I Horsburgh was 22nd (6:32) and A Lickley 24th (6.39).

The girls under 13 trio also did well. Lauren Arbuckle got round the 2.5km course in (11:37) for 12th place with Bethany Nelson 24th (12:34) and Alice Horsburgh 29th (12:49).

The sole club runner in the boys under 13s was S Jones who came home in 37th place out of the 47 finishers.

In the combined under 15/under 17 over 3km, L Turnbull was 16th overall and sixth under 17 with L Steel 42nd at 14:03.

The cross country season continues this Saturday with the Scottish Athletics Relay Championships at Cumbernauld.

The Lothian club were out in force at the Scottish Athletics East District Relay Championships at the Meadowmill Sports Complex, Prestonpans. The nearest the club came to a medal was in the Senior Female 3X4000 metres race.

Jocelyn Moar led off the opening leg and got round in 16 mins 52 secs to hand over to Scottish junior internationalist Sarah Inglis in 14th place.

Sarah's time of 14 mins 10 secs was the fastest leg time by a female on the day and she passed over to anchor leg runner Edel Mooney in fourth place.

Irish internationalist Mooney would have to claw back a 43 second deficit if she was to overhaul the third place Fife AC runner and claim a bronze medal. Edel immediately began to close the gap but despite a gallant effort, crossed the line 21 seconds behind in 14 mins 46 secs to take fourth place.