Scotland will compete for the Stewart Cup

Wednesday 6th January 2016

Action from the International Relay event last year – photo by Bobby Gavin

Scotland Celtic Nations XC Selection story

Two Scotland teams will compete for a new trophy at the Great Edinburgh XC event on Saturday.

The ‘Stewart Cup’ has been put forward by event organisers Great Run for the 4 x 1K International Relay which will feature eight teams in what should be an exciting race.

Named after two Scottish running legends, Ian Stewart and Lachie Stewart, the cup will be presented for the first time to the winning team in the International Relay at Holyrood Park.

Ian and Lachie (no relation) both won Commonwealth Games gold medals at nearby Meadowbank in 1970 and it is hoped Ian will be able to be in attendance on Saturday to present the new trophy.

‘I think this a terrific idea by Great Run and we’re looking forward to a very exciting programme of cross country racing on Saturday,’ said Nigel Holl, chief executive of scottishathletics.

‘The International Relay gives eight athletes the chance to compete for Scotland, with A and B teams taking on GB, England, Europe, the United States, Wales and Ireland to make it a race with eight teams. There are two men and two women in each team.

‘Of course that follows Inter-District and Celtic Nations XC action and the event culminates in the main traditional match between GB, America and Europe – so there will be plenty for spectators to enjoy in Edinburgh on Saturday.’

Mo Farah will race at the event for the first time since 2011 and there are five Scots set to represent GB. Callum Hawkins and Andrew Butchart are with Farah in the GB team for the Men’s 8K race with Beth Potter and Josephine Moultrie in the Senior Women’s 6K race. Kilbarchan AAC’s Euan Gillham represents GB in the Men’s U20 race.

There was good news over the Christmas and New Year break for two emerging Scottish athletes as they landed call-ups to the International Relay selections.

Josh Kerr won the European U20 title at 1500m last summer prior to a move to study in the United States – and the former Edinburgh schoolboy will now line up for Scotland B.

And 17-year-old Carys McAulay, who won silver in the 800m at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, has stepped up to the B team following the withdrawal of Lynsey Sharp, with Steph Twell now in the A team alongside Laura Muir.

Scotland A: Laura Muir, Steph Twell, Cameron Boyek, Jake Wightman

Scotland B: Emily Dudgeon, Carys McAulay, Neil Gourley, Josh Kerr

Watch Lachie Stewart win the Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold in Edinburgh in 1970

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1XsjPsN6IQ

And here is the classic 5000m final win by Ian Stewart . . .

*There’s still time to enter if you want to run at Holyrood Park on Saturday with a few spaces left in the Pure Gym Great Edinburgh Winter Run, which is set to reach record numbers with an expected 3000 people taking part this year.

The hardy amateur participants will take on a New Year challenge of a multi-terrain 5k course that loops around one of the capitals most iconic locations, Arthur’s Seat. For more information or to enter visit www.greatrun.org/winter

Tags: Great Edinburgh XC, Holyrood Park, Ian Stewart, International Relay, Lachie Stewart, Mo Farah, The Stewart Cup