National Cross Country Championships 2004

Muffy Ana-olates Opposition as she Inches Ahead at Perth

It was a fine day for spectators at Perth yesterday for the Nationals. The sun was out, there was no wind and the trails were fast, flat and undoubtedly a little short of the quoted distance. However, the Westies spectators (Lynn, Cap'n Charlie, the Reid family and yours truly) were treated to plenty of thrills during the afternoon.

Firstly, it wasa a bit disappointing to see only two Westies women turning up to challenge the great Liz McColgan in the senior 5-mile race. Whilst old Lizzie managed to cuff Angela Mudge by over a minute, our own old Muffy also cuffed Ana for the first time since the Dunbartonshire Relays last October. At first it looked like the decade-and-a-half age gap between the two would prove too much for Muffy as Ana steamed off at the start, but by the end of the first lap, Muffy was stalking Ana, just a few yards behind. Muffy made her move at half way, never looking back. Whilst Muffy looked triumphant at the end, Ana looked dispirited as she saw the coveted Winter League title slipping from her grasp.

In the men's 7.5 mile race, Nigel maintained his dominance, starting off steadily before working his way through the field to be easily the first Westie. It was particularly satisfying to see Nige passing 2nd claim Westie,Loch Ossian record holder, hillrunning training tipster and distinguished club icon Mark McColl, shortly before the finish. Chris Upson's last minute decision to compete paid off with a solid run, finishing a minute behind Nigel. Behind came Steffen with possibly his best cross country race to date. Gordon Robinson ran his debut Winter League race of the season and looked far too happy to be trying hard. Blair also made a late decision to compete and looked like a man who could start to come back to fitness very soon. Finally, the massed crowds of Westies and HBT rose to their feet in response to the sprint finish between Drew and HBT's Nixon. In the end Drew managed to keep Nixen at bay, but the latter did look to be in severe danger of a heart attack 50 metres from the line.

All-in-all it was a great day; the site of over 400 runners snaking round he first lap is one of the great sights in Scottish running. It's a pity there weren't more Westies out there.

Nigel looks to have sewn up the men's league for the season; Steffen has moved up into 2nd place, while Drew has also moved up to 4th. In the Women's league, Muffy only has to finish the Balloch-to-Clydebank to win the title. Ana says she isn't running the B-C, but could this be a bluff to allow Muffy to think she doesn't need to run? Wait and see!

Results

Women

1 Liz McColgan 25:56

2 Catriona Morrison 26:44

3 Angela Mudge 27:05

74 Muffy 33:42

78 Ana 34:05

106 finished

1st team Carnethy

Men

1 Glen Stewart 34:52

2 Phil Mowbrey 34:57

3 Andrew Lemoncello 35:02

136 Nigel 41:05

140 Mark McColl 41:07

166 Chris 42:03

269 Steffen 45:13

300 Gordon 46:44

356 Blair 50:03

402 Drew 58:05

408 finished

Teams

1 Cambuslang 95pts

28 Westies 1629pts

32 teams finished

Posted by Dave Calder on Sun 22 Feb 2004 | 2 comments

Category winter league