XC GUIDE & FIXTURE LIST

Posted on September 9, 2021 by craig morton

The cross country season consists of league, district, and national events. Please see below for further details on each. All events are very friendly and are a great way to get some conditioning work in!

Athletes compete in the same age groups as they did for Summer T&F. However, the full DOB age ranges for Winter 2024/25 XC may be viewed here

East District League (U11 to Masters)

  • The East District League has three races over the season.
  • There is no team selection or restriction on numbers for this league. Please talk to your coach if you are interested in taking part.
  • You simply turn up, report to the club banner to collect your number, warm up and run.
  • There is no cost to enter these races.
  • Athletes run in their age groups, with the top finishers for each club counting towards the score for their age group team.
  • Each age group team then has their scores put towards the club’s overall male and overall female totals.
  • See here for more info on the East District Cross Country League such as venues, course maps and the event schedule.
  Date Venue Schedule
East League 1 26th Oct Kirkcaldy Schedule
East League 2 16th Nov Dundee Schedule
East League 3 18th Jan Bathgate Schedule

District and National Events Athlete Availability

All the declaration links below take you to the same form, so you can enter multiple events on the same form.

District Events

Lasswade AC are in the East District with two events over the season for U13 to Masters. The events are, the East District Relays* and East District Championships. 

*The District Relays are the season opener and they are great fun. Junior relays should have one athlete from each age group (U13 – U15 – U17) per team. (TEAMS MUST HAVE AN U13)  Each run their own leg before passing to their team mate in the next age group. All legs are the same distance.  Senior teams are made up of 4 athletes, U20 and upwards. 

  Date Venue & Event Info Declare
District Relays 5th Oct Livingston Here by Sept 18th
District Champs 30th Nov TBC Here by 14th Nov

Scottish National Events

These events are the National Relays, National Champs – both for U13 to Masters. Then we have National Short Course Champ’s (U15 upwards) and finally the National Masters Champ’s. 

  Date Venue & Event Info Declare
National Relays 19th Oct Cumbernauld Here by 5th Oct
National Short Course Champs 2nd Nov Kirkcaldy Here by 16th Oct
National Masters 8th Feb  Dundee Here by 25th Jan
National Champs 22nd Feb Falkirk Here by 8th Feb

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Dechmont Law Trail Race – Friday 27 August

Posted on August 21, 2021 by kirksm

We have been sent details of the above event taking place next week. I have copied the information below:

Race information

’10K’ TRAIL RACE @ 19:15 
Junior ‘2.5K’ TRAIL RACE (11yr – 16yr) @ 18:45
2.5K TRAIL RACE  16yr+ @ 18:45

“Scenic woodland trail – Mostly firm paths – Some muddy patches – Short tarmac sections – Nice Views”

The 2.5km race follows a single loop of paths around Dechmont Law. The 10km starts with the same loop and then follows a longer loop past the Alien Stone then to the North Wood before returning to Dechmont Law.

The Races are held under the current Scottish Government and Scottish Athletics guidelines.

You must stay at home if you:
• If you have Covid-19 symptoms.
• Someone in your household has Covid-19 symptoms.
• If you have been asked to self-isolate at home by the Scottish Government Test and Protect system.
• If you are returning from a country outside the UK you must follow the Scottish Government guidance on quarantine.

Entry Fees for 10km and 2.5km Trail Races

  • Senior: £17 ( £15 SA members)
  • U20:     £10 (£8 SA members )
  • £2 discount for Scottish Athletics Members (SAL Number Required)
  • No Entries on the day

Minimum age for 10K entry is 17 years on date of race
Minimum age for Junior 2.5k entry is 11 years on date of race

Entries On Line via Team App

We hope to arrange parking at Deans Community High School, Livingston, EH54 8PS
also you can park at Middlewood Park EH54 8BD

Facilities: First Aid, Portable Toilets adjacent to the Start

All athletes to Collect race numbers and Timing Chips on the day from registration adjacent to the Start/Finish.

The races will be Chip Timed by Keep it Simple Timing. Results will be posted as soon as possible at  www.kitst.co.uk

You must return your Timing Chip after you Finish.

Enquiries to: events@lothianrunningclub.co.uk

Posted in News and Info, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Oriam Trail Race – Sunday 19 September

Posted on August 21, 2021 by kirksm

The above event is being organised by Harmeny AC and will take place at the Oriam Sports centre in the ground of Heriot Watt University.

There will be no charge for participation as Harmeny want it to be as successful as possible and be a bit of a celebration of the return of off-track events prior to the return of Cross Country in October.

The course is a mixture of trail paths, tarmac and grass.

There will be car parking, café and toilet facilities available, but no changing facilities.

It woud great to support this event as Harmeny have been one of the local clubs that helped organise the smaller local cross country events last winter.

There will only be club-entries so you will need to let Linda or I know if you would like to be entered for the event and we will provide a list of entrants to Harmeny. We need to provide a final list by Thursday 9th September so please confirm to us by Monday 6th September.

Provisional Timetable

Race Register Race Distance
U11 Girls 10.00am 10.30am 1.9km
U11 Boys 10.20am 10.50am 1.9km
U13 Girls 10.40am 11.10am 2.7km
U13 Boys 11.05am 11.35am 2.7km
U15 Girls 11.30am 12.00pm 2.7km
U15 Boys 11.55am 12.25pm 2.7km
U17/20 Girls 12.20m 12.50pm 4.3km
U17/20  Boys 12.50pm 1.20pm 4.3km

If anyone has any questions please get in touch or see us at training.

Thanks

Posted in News and Info, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Scottish National Championships

Posted on August 16, 2021 by kirksm

The Scottish National track and field championships took place at Grangemouth on the weekend of 14th and 15th August and it was great to see a number of Lasswade AC athletes competing.

There were some fine performances from Lasswade AC athletes over the weekend.

On Saturday Alastair Scott ran very well in the U17 800m to finish 2nd in his heat running 2.03.99 which was just outside his pb narrowly missing out on a place in the final.  In the senior mens 800m race Greg Louden had a solid run to finish 3rd in his heat in a time of 1.57.59 just missing out on a place in the final. Greg also ran in the 400m later in the day and finished 3rd in his heat in a time of 49.70 qualifying for the final on Sunday. Clubmate Guy Learmonth dropping down from his normal 800m also ran in the senior mens 400m qualifying comfortably for the final in 48.07.

Guy is off is mark in the mens 400m!

 

Greg – working hard in the finishing straight of the mens 400m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo’s courtesy Bobby Gavin)

Murray Blair was competing in the senior mens 100m and made it through the first round but was knocked out in the semis finishing 6th in his race in a time of 11.55. In the u17 women 1500m Olivia Meikle had a strong run to finish 6th in a time of 5.02.81 to qualify for the final. Magnus Tait had chosen not to run his strongest event, the steeplechase, but to do the mens 1500m instead. After the first 150m it was clear nobody was willing to take up the running in the very windy conditions so Magnus went to the front leading the field to the bell but faded on the final lap to finish 8th in 4.01.30.

On Sunday, the conditions although still blustery were much better than Saturday where the wind has been much stronger. Harry Henriksen was first Lasswade athlete on the track in the u20 mens 5000m. Harry led from gun to tape with a strong run just outside his pb Harry won in 14.59 – what a start!

Harry on his way to the Scottish National u20 5000m title!

(Photo courtesy Bobby Gavin)

In the field events Matthew Tait was competing in the u17 high jump and he took the title with a jump of 1.83m.

Matthew Tait in action on his way to the u17 Scottish National High Jump tilte!

(Photo courtesy Bobby Gavin)

The next athlete in action for us was Sarah Tait in the 3000m steeplechase for senior women. A bit jaded from recent competitions Sarah had a comfortable win bringing Lasswade AC a hat-trick of National titles with three athletes still to run their finals.

Sarah Tait comfortably wins her her first senior 3000m steeplechase title.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo courtesy Bobby Gavin)

In the senior mens 400m strangely all the athletes ran slower in the final than they did in their heats which were run in much windier conditions! Guy Learmonth finished 2nd with clubmate Greg Louden finishing in 5th. Olivia Meikle was the final Lasswade AC athlete to run and she was in the U17 womens 1500m. Olivia finished the weekend with a fine performance finishing 9th running a personal best of 4.57.74!

A great weekend of athletics, it was fantastic to see everyone competing again and to bump into and catch up with coaches, athletes and officials who all did an amazing job to make the weekend a success.

Congratulations to all the athletes on their performances.

 

Posted in News and Info, Track and Field, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sarah finishes 5th at u23 European Championships

Posted on July 15, 2021 by kirksm

Sarah Tait continued her fine form over 3000m steeplechase this season when representing Great Britain in the u23 European Championships in Estonia last week.

Sarah would have been forgiven for being nervous representing GB for the first time but there was no sign of nerves on the start line in her heat last Thursday. Sarah put in a fine performance only a few seconds outside her PB running 10.06.71 to finish 5th and make sure of automatic qualification for the final taking place on the Saturday afternoon. A day to relax and recover.

Sarah – 5th in Europe !!

The Saturday was a hot day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees, not ideal for a fair skinned Scot! However, once again Sarah set to the task and settled down in the field of 15 runners. The race set off at a slow pace which was no doubt a good thing in the heat but it soon picked up with the french athletes who were the pre race favourites together with a polish athlete pushing it on over the last 1000m. Sarah wasn’t too far behind sitting inside the top 7 or 8 runners and moving up nicely. Sarah had a strong final lap to move up to 5th in a time of 10.04.53 and finish first british athlete. A fantastic experience of championship running at the highest level and a fine debut in a GB vest.

Congratulations Sarah all the hard work and dedication has been worth it.

Posted in News and Info, Track and Field | Leave a comment

Sarah Tait Selected for U23 European Championships

Posted on June 29, 2021 by kirksm

Lasswade AC athlete Sarah Tait has had a busy month of competitions and has shown great form over all the events that she has competed culminating in a 3rd place in her favoured event the 3000m steeplchase at the UK senior championships last weekend in Manchester.

Having run 10.00.49 for the 3000m steeplechase which was marginally outside the European u23 qualifying time of 10.00 when winning the English u23 championships in Bedford, Sarah had a nervous few days waiting to see if the selectors would give her the nod.

Thankfully it was fantastic news today when the team was announced and Sarah earned her first GB vest so is off to Tallin in Estonia next week for the u23 European Championships. Please click here for announcement on UK athletics website.

Sarah pictured at Manchester last weekend after finishing 3rd in her first senior UK Championships

Congratulations Sarah, all of your hard work and dedication has been worth it and your selection is very well deserved.

Good luck next week from all at Lasswade AC !

Posted in News and Info, Track and Field | Leave a comment

Sarah Tait strikes Gold in Bedford

Posted on June 21, 2021 by kirksm

Lasswade AC athlete Sarah Tait made the trip to Bedford at the weekend competing on Sunday in the 3000m steeplechase. Sarah has been in fine form this season over the barriers with 3 wins out of 3 and beating her previous best time on each occasion.

This was the English u23 championships but also the trial for selection for the European u23 Championships. A win gained automatic selection providing you had the qualifying time of 10.00.00.

Sarah set off with clear intent taking the lead with pre-race favourite Elise Thorner matching her stride for stride for the first four laps.  Sarah looked strong and her hurdling and water jumps were all good as she began to get a gap on Elise. Sarah continued to push on with the gap widening there was no other athlete near her. It was Sarah against the clock. It was an agonising last 100 metres as Sarah pushed for the line only to cross it in 10.00.49. A fantastic time and another personal best but 0.49 seconds outside the qualifying.

Congratulations from all at Lasswade AC – great performance!

Sarah receiving her medal and cuddly toy!!

Posted in News and Info, Track and Field, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

UKA Coach Qualification Courses

Posted on June 8, 2021 by kirksm

Scottish Athletics have confirmed that they have added further Coach Education course dates including the Athletics Coach & Coach in Running Fitness qualifications together with another series of Coaching Assistant and Leadership in Running Fitness courses.

Details are available via the Scottish Athletics website here

If any parents or older athletes are interested in completing a coaching qualification then please speak to our Club Development Officer Craig Morton in the first instance.

Contact details for Craig are as follows:

lasswadeatheltics@gmail.com or on 07751-279456

Posted in News and Info, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Dave McConnell – Funeral Arrangements

Posted on May 27, 2021 by kirksm

The details for the service for Dave McConnell are as follows:

Venue – Mortonhall Crematorium, Edinburgh

Date – 07 June 2021

Time – 4.00pm

The number of people permitted to attend is limited to 50.  Please contact Dave Hand on 0131-663-0434 if you would like to attend.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Dave McConnell

Posted on May 26, 2021 by kirksm

Yesterday the club received the very sad news that Dave McConnell passed away on Monday night.

Dave became involved with Lasswade Athletics Club in 1984/85 after coming along to support his young niece. He was very enthusiastic and soon became involved in coaching, officiating and committee work which he continued throughout his life. Dave coached hurdles which was his favourite event and he was a dedicated and reliable coach, official and club member always involved in anything the club did and more than happy to volunteer whatever the task. Dave officiated at both local and national level and was involved in senior athletics to international level as part of the start team. Dave was a stalwart of his club and scottish athletics and will be sorely missed by his colleagues at all levels as well as countless athletes he coached over the years.

Since the announcement on our facebook page there have been many comments from athletes, coaches, officials and parents who had the priviledge of knowing Dave. He has clearly played an important role in the development of the club and the many young athletes he has coached and will be a huge loss to Lasswade AC and Scottish Athletics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our condolences to his family.

Details of funeral service to be announced.

Posted in News and Info, Uncategorized | Leave a comment