All roads lead to Falkirk – info

Friday 20th February 2015

The sense of anticipation is growing for the National XC on Sunday – as the event heads for Falkirk for the 10^th successive year.

But it is important that those planning to be at Callendar Park are aware of a number of important points.

All the start-lists and changes to the course are covered on our Events section, on the dedicated page for the National XC.

There is also a download on that page which refers to new car parking arrangements, as Graeme High School is not available this year.Callendar Business Park is available for parking and there is a map which can be viewed on the page.

With the weather forecast not looking good for Sunday, please remember to bring appropriate clothing. Toilets and catering facilities will be located in the park and the café inside Callendar House will be open (no entry while wearing spikes, please).

Once again, we would like to thank Falkirk Community Trust for their support in organising and staging the event and our event sponsors, Lindsays, as the first season of the Lindsays Cross Country season reaches a conclusion.

Click the parking map below to enlarge.

The host club, Falkirk Victoria Harriers, are also due a debt of gratitude from the athletics community in Scotland for all their efforts this year (and previously) in supplying volunteers and bearing the burden in terms of marshals. We appreciate all the offers from a number of clubs who are supplying marshals for Sunday.

Here’s a message from John Rodger, Convenor of the Road Running and Cross Country Commission:

‘February always brings a sense of anticipation as the National, the pinnacle of the Cross Country season, approaches.

‘For weeks beforehand athletes and coaches travel to Callendar Park to check out the course and this year, with enforced course alterations, share their views on social media as to whether it will be easier or harder. The National is always hard and, as it should be, a true endurance test.

‘The venue itself has been unchanged for 10 years now but we have previously raced over a variety of courses around the park. This year, our thanks must go to officials of Falkirk Victoria Harriers for designing an interesting and demanding course that will provide spectators with excellent views of each race as it unfolds.

In these challenging economic times we also congratulate Falkirk Community Trust for hosting the Championships at Callendar Park, Falkirk for the 10th consecutive year. The popularity of the event, in the heart of Scotland, is underlined by an entry of 2213 athletes.

‘Over the past few years the RR and CC Commission has enhanced all its Championships through the Grand Prix Series, with the conclusion being the National XC.

‘Going into this last race, the Men’s series is led by Tewolde Mengisteab (Shettleston H) on 71 points from Murray Strain (HBT) on 53 points. In the Women’s series, Morag MacLarty (Central) leads on 73 points with club mate Jennifer Wetton on 53 points. The National counts for double points.’

Scotland vests up for grabs

Video footage of the National XC