Schools brave the elements at cross country

Nov 27 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

THE second heat of the North Ayrshire Schools’ Cross Country League, originally postponed because of bad weather, was held over Irvine Beach Park this month and this time the young runners were forced to endure four seasons in one day with hailstones, summer sunshine, autumn winds, and plummeting temperatures.

But the competitors, from schools across North Ayrshire, ranging in age from P5 to S3, took it all in their stride as they turned on a marvellous display.

Course distances ranged from 1000m for the younger children, up to 1500m for the P7s, and between 2000m and 3000m for the secondary age groups.

As ever, the races were hotly contested, with the athletes showing fine spirit and a determination to push all the way to the tape – and there were some scores to even as runners vied for the top spots.

P5 girl Carrie Reekie from Beith took first place in her race to move just one point ahead of Stanley’s Stephanie Oakley, while Chloe Bain from St John's came first in the P6 girls' race, getting the better of rival and winner of the previous race Louise Duncan from West Kilbride.

And the boys were equally competitive. Jack Roden of Glebe maintained his dominance to take another first place in the P6 race, while the P7 boys battled it out in the closing stages with Evan Warwick finally taking the title for St Mary's.

Other outstanding performances were seen in the secondary age groups, with winners Amy MacPherson (Largs), Fraser Mackie (Ardrossan), Alana Crawford (Greenwood), Jared Reekie (Garnock) and Alison Hughes (St Matthews) all finishing well ahead of their rivals.

Results were.

P5 Girls. 1 Carrie Reekie (Beith) 6.08; 2 Ruby Sloss (Glengarnock) 6.12; 3 Stephanie Oakley (Stanley) 6.32.

Team. Glebe 19pts.

P5 Boys. 1 Jonathan McTaggart (St John's) 5.09; 2 Mark Hughes (St Bridget's) 5.30; 3 Jake Jacobson (Beith) 5.43.

Team. Beith 28pts.

P6 Girls. 1 Chloe Bain (St John's) 5.39l 2 Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) 6.02; 3 Amy Rhodes (Glebe) 6.12.

Team. West Kilbride 11pts.

P6 Boys. 1 Jack Roden (Glebe) 5.06; 2 Andrew Riddell (Skelmorlie) 5.45; 3 Jack Rafferty (St Mary's) 5.47.

Team. Beith 16pts.

P7 Girls. 1 Demi Orr (Stanley) 8.15; 2 Jemma Reekie (Beith) 8.45; 3 Julia Craig (Skelmorlie) 9.14.

Team. Beith 11pts.

P7 Boys. 1 Evan Warwick (St Mary's) 8.32; 2 Cameron Craig (Skelmorlie) 8.45; 3 Stephen Wallace (Stanley) 8.48.

Team . St Mary's 18pts.

S1 Girls. 1 Amy MacPherson (Largs) 11.16; 2 Molly Mooney (St Matthew’s) 12.03; 3 Jenny Gillespie (St Matthew’s) 12:13.

S1 Boys. 1 Fraser Mackie (Ardrossan) 10.59; 2 Logan Kennedy (St Matthew's) 13.13; 3 Cameron Higgins (Ardrossan) 14.13

S2 Girls. 1 Alana Crawford (Greenwood) 15.55; 2 Shona Blades (Ardrossan) 17.16.

S2 Boys. 1 Jared Reekie (Garnock) 13.46; 2 Daniel Craig (Largs) 15.07; 3 Cameron Watson (Largs) 17.01.

S3 Girls. 1 Alison Hughes (St Matthew’s) 17.32; 2 Stephanie Dalgoutte (Ardrossan) 19.59.

S3 Boys. 1 Christopher Lietchi (Largs) 16.20.

The Schools' Cross Country League is organised by KA Leisure's Sport Development Team, with support from Ayrshire Harriers and Scottish Athletics.

The next race will take place at Irvine Beach Park on Saturday, December 12, with registration at the Magnum from 9.30-10.15am.

All are welcome, you need only a reasonable level of fitness, so come along a give it a go.

For further information on the Cross-Country League, or for training opportunities, contact the Sport Development Team on 01294 317460, or visit www.kaleisure.com