BRITISH & IRISH XC MASTERS

The very first and most important part in this report of my recent experience running for Scotland in the UK and Irish masters’ international cross-country championships in Leeds is to thank everyone in the club for their support. An extra special shout out to Claire Gilchrist for highlighting the event to me and explaining the process to stand a chance of qualifying. I’m sure you are all sick of hearing about it so will keep this concise and to the point.

 I went, I ran and my age group got a team bronze for Scotland. If you want to hear a wee bit more read on.

To qualify I had to run at Tollcross Park in Glasgow and although successful I cannot take all the credit. Storm Ada played in my favour as I’m fairly certain many people did not risk the driving.

Having qualified I then ordered my Scotland kit (note to self never rely on taking my own measurements) Now we are all sizing of sports attire is unique to say the least. In my case, my outer layers looked like I had borrowed my older brothers kit while the vest and very short shorts were snug.

The weeks between qualifying and the actual event flew in and before I knew it, I was on a 4-hour bus journey to Leeds with complete strangers – I should highlight we were not strangers for long.

I had religiously checked the weather forecast which displayed a sun all day Saturday however it lied to me and at the last minute changed to rain - all weekend. This hampered Ireland as all flights out were cancelled on Friday. The team captains agreed to give Ireland a fighting chance of getting to Leeds all race times on the Saturday were delayed by an hour as were the shuttle buses and the breakfast! The slight issue with this news reaching athletes was we had all gone to bed and many hadn’t checked emails in the morning so the news was a bit of a “surprise”

[ Feel free to stop reading now but I am now coming to race day].

As is always the case we had several hours to spare from the shuttle bus dropping us at the venue until the first race. Initially undaunted by the rain we did walk the course route which had been changed that morning for safety. Even before running started people were slipping and sliding. Such was the level of organisation, each nation was called forward at a precise time, to have team photographs taken. As time crept on, outer layers of clothing were peeled off, spikes tied on securely, and warm ups of all descriptions and intensities took place. Oh, and most of the Ireland contingent made it over.

The starting gun at 12 noon heralded the women and men over 65years event and what an amazing bunch of athletes they are. The course was changed again after they ran due to someone falling but they were not badly injured.

An hour later it was women 35-64 age category.

Route and conditions.  I have a few people I need to have a quiet word with who assured me Hay Lodge Park did not have any real hills –it did!!   Some poor sole lost here shoe 100 meters in not due to mud at this point but flooding on grass. A downhill with a very muddy slippy end to it, an uphill (not too bad) a flat stretch which was an optical illusion as it had a slight camber which each time I aquaplaned down to the barrier, another much steeper uphill to the start then all again twice more making it a rough 6k course. Thankfully any tarmac paths we crossed had a thick layer of woodchip over them so we did not face plant.

I knew there was no way I’d manage a good time individually but the knowledge most people were in the same boat (or wished they were literally in a boat) spurned me on. I also know I made two fatal mistakes – started on the outer edges so initially took the first corner wide and politely moved to let a Welsh female pass me. Neither were repeated over the next two laps, it was every woman for herself. As the final100 meters came in sight no-one was getting past me.

The men’s races followed but with only 10 mins between starting times as if they had stuck to the hour in between some would have been running in the dark!! I did watch them for a while the leaders making it look effortless.

How to describe it succinctly

Muddy? - no arguments there; (Stobbo Castle charge a fortune for the mud treatment we all got for free!!)

Wet? -   let the photos speak for themselves. Honestly, I did not spend hours making sure my hair resembled a hippy hedgehog.

Slippy? - Oh what???? but I stayed upright and may consider taking up skiing.

However, that was all outweighed by fun, challenges, thrills, camaraderie and I have to say, just once I promise, pride to run in a Scotland vest.

Although the results were made available to all the team captains most of the runners were in the dark until the presentation at evening meal. Scotland did achieve individual medals in several categories as well as age category team medals.

Over all England were 1st for the 33rd year, Ireland 2nd, Scotland 3rd followed by Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Saturday night was not as early to bed as the Friday and in all honestly the 3 hours nonstop dancing wrecked my knees more than the run.

It was also a much quieter journey back to Glasgow.

 The Scotland team captains did an amazing job for weeks organising transport accommodation and not leaving anyone behind in Leeds on Sunday. Also, I cannot miss mentioning the amazing effort England went to over the past 6 months to organise hosting the event. The marshals and volunteers many arriving at 6am spending the whole day in the rain cheering everyone on and uncomplaining. 

It is only as I have been writing this report, my imposter syndrome has begun to lessen. It was a privilege to be part of such a major event and be amongst so many amazing athletes from across the country. Having not run much last year my goal for 2025 was to just get back into it which I think I have achieved!

So, the question I most frequently get asked is would I do it again? Well next year it will be in Ireland somewhere I’ve always wanted to go so watch this space??

Thank you for reading this - even just bits of it!!!!