New course at National XC

Wednesday 11th February 2015

Watch videos of the 2014 National XC

The National XC looms large at Callendar Park in Falkirk as the final races in a very successful first year of the Lindsays Cross Country Season.

It is also the culmination of the Scottish Cross Country Grand Prix with Senior athletes contesting overall prize money worth £4000.

For the first time in a number of years, there has been a change made to the course at Callendar Park and we’re pleased to now publish details of the alterations.

The new course map will be forwarded to club representatives and is now online on the National XC page in the Events section of our website.

We’d ask all athletes, coaches, club officials, marshals and spectators to please study the map to give you a better idea of where runners will compete on Sunday 22 February.

The large hill at the back of the course has been taken out as well as the part of the big lap which involved running across the golf course.

These decisions were taken by the Road Running and Cross Country Commission in consultation with local organisers, the Falkirk Community trust and host club Falkirk Vics. Certain sections were deteriorating and change was specifically requested by the land-owners.

Instead, the long lap now features more running close to the start and finish line and an up-down-up section between 2k and 3k which should prove a decent cross country examination – while also being well-placed for spectators. The long lap is around 4k in distance.

Please note, also, that this year there is no access or parking at Graeme High School. There will be toilets and refreshments available as on-course facilities.

Freya wins in 2012

Meanwhile, Freya Ross has offered to work as a marshal at the event she has won on no fewer than six occasions.

The Olympian will miss out on Sunday 22 February through injury but that hasn’t stopped Freya, who lives in the Falkirk area, putting her name forward to help on the day.

It is a great gesture by a fine athlete and a perfect example of the volunteer ethos which is the very fabric of the sport of athletics.

Ross last won at Callendar Park for the sixth time in 2012 – in the same year as her Olympic performance where she was Britain’s best female performer after standing in at the last minute for Paul Radcliffe.

She shares with Christine Haskett (Price) the honour of winning the National XC Senior Women’s event on the most occasions and will doubtless have ambitions to contest for a possible title No 7 come 2016.

But, this year, Freya will be part of the important team of marshals team organised by Road Running and Cross Country Commission secretary, Alex Jackson, and host club Falkirk Victoria Harriers to help the event run smoothly.

We would like to thank, in advance, all those from a number of clubs who have volunteered for these roles.

Tags: Callender Park, Falkirk, Falkirk Victoria Harriers, Freya Ross, National XC