Ayr Seaforth scoop seven cross country golds

Oct 22 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Seaforth athletes were in top form at the Ayrshire Cross Country Relay Championships at Beach Park, Irvine.

They scooped seven titles from 10 races, including a clean sweep of the junior male championships and a senior women’s title for the first time in years.

The youngsters led the way and the Seaforth under 11 boys’ team of Daniel Martin, Oliver Smith and Steven Martin had a comfortable victory in the opening race.

The under 13 boys’ team had a much tighter race with the opening leg was run by Nathan McAllister. Jonathon Hendry ran a strong second leg to haul Seaforth into second. However, it was a storming final leg by Connor Gracie who overcame a large deficit to give them an excellent victory.

The under 15 boys trio of Shaun Rennie, James Pettigrew and Andrew Black all ran strongly to give them a large winning margin.

The under 17 team of Euan Webster, Scott Jones and Finlay Rae completed a clean sweep of the junior male titles with Finlay recording the fastest lap time of the day over the 2.5k course.

The under 13 girls team took the first female title of the day. An excellent opening leg win by Lisa Rennie was followed by a strong cross country debut from Lara Carey to preserve a lead.

Kirstin Oakley ran the anchor and for the second week in a row was the fastest female junior athlete.

The under 15 race saw another debut in the opening leg. Louisa Kelly made an impressive start to her club athletics career. In her first race in a Seaforth vest, she took second place. Team mates Leigh McLevy and Emma Vallely ran well to hold on to second place.

In the under 17 race, Sarah Cassells returned to form with a first class opening leg to give Seaforth a small lead. Solid runs from Lauren Goldie and Katie Sprang helped the team to a well deserved gold.

The senior women's race was the most exciting of the day. Opening legs from twin sisters Laura Wallace and Toni McIntosh left Louise Hill Stirling with almost a two minute deficit to rivals Kilmarnock.

However, a stunning performance saw her overhaul the Kilmarnock final leg athlete with just over 400 metres to go to give Seaforth their first Ayrshire senior female title in many years.

The senior men suffered the reverse fate. A fantastic opening leg from Neil Burnside gave Seaforth a slender lead. Under 20 athlete Andrew Rae kept them in second and Barry Duddy ran a strong third leg but narrowly slipped into third.

They were on course for bronze only to see Laurence Baker caught by the Girvan athlete with less than 100 metres to the finishing line.

Seaforth results: girls: Under 11: Jordan Finlay 6.38; Rhea McTaggart 6.09.

Under 13 ‘A’: Lisa Rennie 11.08; Lara Carey 12.20; Kirstin Oakley 10.08’ Team 1st; Under 13 ‘B’: Hannah Pettigrew 13.28; Brook Finlay 14.48.

Under 15: Louisa Kelly 11.20; Leigh McLevy 12.41; Emma Vallely 11.53; Team 2nd.

Under 17: Sarah Cassells 10.36; Lauren Goldie 12.56; Katie Sprang 11.28; Team 1st.

Senior women: Laura Wallace 16.51; Toni McIntosh 16.07; Louise Hill Stirling 14.52; Team 1st.

Boys: Under 11 ‘A’: Daniel Martin 4.37; Oliver Smith 5.09; Steven Martin 5.02; Team 1st; Under 11 ‘B’: Cameron Black 5.08; Ewan McLevy 4.44.

Under 13: Nathan McAllister 12.26; Jonathon Hendry 11.09; Connor Gracie 10.18; Team 1st.

Under 15: Shaun Rennie 10.29; James Pettigrew 10.25; Andrew Black 10.41; Team 1st.

Under 17: Euan Webster 9.52; Scott Jones 9.57; Finlay Rae 8.40; Team 1st.

Senior men: ‘A’: Neil Burnside 13.02; Andrew Rae 13.28; Barry Duddy 14.58; Laurence Baker 14.38; Team 4th; ‘B’: Peter Laing 15.58; Tom McCulloch 16.34.

This weekend sees the conclusion of the cross country relays with the national championships at Cumbernauld.