Lochaber Athletic Club (LAC) sent both junior and senior teams to a very cold, frosty but sunny Gordonstoun School, Elgin on Saturday for the 2023 North District Cross Country Running Championships.
The championships came with a backdrop of 350 entries showing the “growth and depth” of athletics in the North according to Scottish Athletics.
Lochaber did well in races against strong North clubs with Aaron Tresidder winning a first district title in the Under 13 Boys race in 13 minutess 52 seconds over the three kilometre course.
Aaron was pulling away from the field at the end on a much flatter course than he was used to and adapted well. Archie MacDonald was 10th in the same race in 16:40.
Lochaber men took third place in the Masters race with Es Tresidder (5th), Alan Ross (6th) and Douglas Runcieman making a welcome return to championship action in 22nd place for the eight km course.
The LAC senior men with six counters were fifth Mens team overall with other counters being George Fisher making a great top ten place in sixth place, Ruaridh Oliver-Jones (30th) and Nick Sedgwick (52nd).
The women had a new team and were well up the field and took fifth team place with Isla Mackay (12th), Marie Meldrum running a very short distance for her to take 23rd place and eighth Masters place, Jess Acheson (27th) and Helen Rennard (30th).
In the Under 13 Girls race Lily Cant was fourth over the three km course with sister Isla sixth from a field of 26 runners in the Under 15 Girls’ race over four km.
David Rodgers was 12th from 39 runners in the Under 15 Boys race.
The last race of the year in the North Cross Country League is at Grant Park, Forres this Saturday.
Meanwhile, in the second race in the LAC Junior Winter League held at the Nevis Range, a good turnout enjoyed the alpine conditions.
First home were Carys Rodgers on the Under 11 course just ahead of Gemima French, Alice Lynch, and Iona Rodgers. Six year old Iris Tresidder also enjoyed her run.
Toby Smith sprinted to the finish as first Under 11 boy ahead of an extremely strong group lead by Kai Tresidder, Alastair Cant, Jethro Murray, Charlie Varley and Soren Kennedy McHale.
Lia Marsh was first Under 13 girl over the medium course.
Maisy Gorman was first Under 15 girl on the long course with Ava Marsh making her debut run.
Rudi Kennedy McHale was first Under 13 boy and David Rodgers first Under 15 boy on the long course.
Featured image: LAC took fifth in the Womens race. Pictured from left, Marie Meldrum, Isla Mackay, Helen Rennard and Jess Acheson. NO_F49_LochaberAthleticClub_23_NorthDistrictCrossCountry_WomensTeam