Ayr Seaforth win west district cross country medals

Jan 28 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Seaforth athletes have starred in cross country action over the past two weekends.

Fifteen members won two individual medals and a team medal at the re-scheduled West District Cross Country Championships at Irvine.

Kirstin Oakley took the under 13 girls title in magnificent style with a 30 second winning margin over the 3.2k course. A superb run from Lisa Rennie saw her finish ninth while a strong effort from Christie Hutton earned her 26th spot and a well deserved silver team medal.

The second medal of the day came from under 17 athlete Finlay Rae who returned to form to take an excellent second spot over the 6.4k course. He was joined by Euan Webster who finished 25th in the same race.

The under 15 girls were represented by Louisa Kelly who ran strongly in her first district championship to take 17th and Leigh McLevy who finished 30th.

Sarah Cassells was the sole Seaforth finisher, coming home 13th in the under 17 women's race. Under 20 athlete Louise Hill Stirling continues to make a big impression in her first year in this age-group and was an excellent fifth.

In the senior women's race, Toni McIntosh demonstrated her improving fitness with a robust performance which secured her 11th.

In the under 15 boys’ race, Ben Steven was 28th with Andrew Black only three seconds behind in 29th. Greg Templeton was the sole under 20 male athlete and finished 19th.

Stalwarts Laurence Baker and Iain Baird represented Seaforth in the senior men's race and finished 111th and 175th respectively.

Results: Under 13 girls: 1. Kirstin Oakley 12:17; 9. Lisa Rennie 13:43; 26. Christie Hutton 14:31; 2nd team.

Under 15 girls: 17. Louisa Kelly 20:22; 30. Leigh McLevy 23:26; Under 17 women: 13. Sarah Cassells 19:52.

Under 20 women: 5. Louise Hill Stirling 26:04; senior women: 11. Toni McIntosh 25:44.

Under 15 boys: 28. Ben Steven 18:17; 29. Andrew Black 18:20; Under 17 men: 2. Finlay Rae 21:18; 25. Euan Webster 25:27.

Under 20 men: 19. Greg Templeton 37:13; senior men: 111. Laurence Baker 38:51; 175. Iain Baird 45:07.

Kirstin Oakley and Finlay Rae travelled to Antrim in Northern Ireland for the third of the McCains UK Cross Challenge races and for the first time since the series began they brought back two medals. Under 13 athlete Kirstin was unlucky not to claim top spot as she was narrowly beaten on the line into second place over the 1.8k distance.

She ran a near perfect race in the frozen foggy conditions. However, she can now look forward to the final in Birmingham in March knowing that another similar performance will put her in contention for a podium finish.

Finlay Rae also put in a stunning shift against the top Irish and English athletes. Despite feeling less than 100 per cent with a viral illness, his trademark gutsy performance gave him a well deserved silver in a tight race at the front.

He now travels to Dublin at the beginning of February to represent Scotland at the Celtic Nations Cross Country International, earning his third Scottish vest in the process.