Ayr Seaforth athletes star at Holyrood Park

Jan 14 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Seaforth athletes revelled in the spectacular setting of Holyrood Park which again hosted the Bupa Great Edinburgh cross country races.

The event included the International Team Challenge (GB v USA v Rest of Europe) and the Scottish Inter-District cross country championships.

While Kenyan Eluid Kipchoge and Britain's Mo Farah were dominating the elite international races, Seaforth's junior endurance stars were focusing on representing Scotland West in the Inter-District Championships.

Under 13 star Kirstin Oakley was first to brave the snow and freezing conditions, putting in an excellent performance over the 2.5k course to take bronze after being narrowly beaten on the line for second place. Both athletes were given the same time of 10.16.

Triathlete Finlay Rae also put in a sterling performance to finish a superb fifth in the under 17 men's race, completing the 3.7k course in 12.42. The performance was extra special as he had spent the previous day competing in the National Short Course Swim Championships for South Ayrshire swim team.

Louise Hill-Stirling had the toughest job of the day. The 17-year-old Girvan athlete had a baptism of fire racing against an international field which included Linet Masai and Genzebe Dibaba after her late call-up to the Scotland West team. However, she acquitted herself well over the 6k course to finish 51st in 26.29.

This weekend sees the re-scheduled West District Cross Country Championships at Irvine while the following weekend Finlay Rae and Kirstin Oakley travel to Antrim in Northern Ireland for the next round of the McCains UK Cross Country Challenge.